Sr. Manager, Clinical Operations / Associate Director, Clinical Operations

Sr. Manager / Associate Director, Clinical Operations
Las Vegas, NV
On-site

Meet Life Sciences is representing a small CRO seeking a Sr. Manager, Clinical Operations or Associate Director, Clinical Operations to join its team in Las Vegas, Nevada. This individual will play a critical leadership role overseeing clinical operations within a dedicated Phase 1 clinical research unit, ensuring the successful execution of early-phase studies while leading and developing site-based operations staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for a clinical operations leader with deep Phase 1 experience, strong people management capabilities, and a hands-on approach to operational excellence in a fast-paced clinical research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for a Phase 1 clinical research clinic, ensuring studies are conducted efficiently, compliantly, and in accordance with protocol, SOPs, GCP, and applicable regulatory requirements

• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations across early-phase studies, including study start-up, conduct, and closeout activities

• Directly manage, mentor, and develop clinical operations staff; previous experience managing individuals is required

• Drive staff performance, accountability, and professional development across the clinical operations function

• Partner cross-functionally with clinical, medical, regulatory, quality, and site leadership to ensure seamless study execution

• Ensure adequate staffing, training, and resource allocation to support study timelines and clinic throughput

• Monitor operational metrics, identify risks proactively, and implement solutions to support enrollment, protocol adherence, patient safety, and data quality

• Serve as a key point of escalation for operational issues within the clinic and provide leadership in resolving study or site-related challenges

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across clinic operations, workflows, SOPs, and overall site performance

• Help maintain inspection readiness and a culture of quality throughout the organization

• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning, capacity management, and operational scaling as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

• 7+ years of clinical operations experience, with title level depending on overall depth of experience and leadership background

• Extensive Phase 1 clinical trial experience is required

• Prior experience working within an early-phase clinical research unit, Phase 1 site, or CRO environment strongly preferred

• Previous people management experience is required, with demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing teams

• Strong understanding of GCP, ICH guidelines, SOPs, and regulatory requirements relevant to clinical trial conduct

• Proven ability to manage multiple studies, priorities, and operational demands in a dynamic clinical environment

• Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills

• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on when needed

Preferred Background

• Experience overseeing operations in a Phase 1 clinic or inpatient/outpatient early-phase setting

• Familiarity with healthy volunteer and/or patient-based early-phase studies

• Prior CRO experience and comfort working in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment

• Experience supporting operational process improvement and clinic optimization initiatives