P5P5 — Expert Professional

Director

Director of Clinical Operations

What this level means

Expert in field; key problem solver and project leader, authority in multiple areas

Scope
Multiple systems or a technical domain
Autonomy
Sets direction within the domain
Complexity
Novel, high-ambiguity problems; establishes the approach
Impact
Org / multi-team outcomes
Decision rights
Authority over a technical domain
Leadership
Leads cross-team technical initiatives
Typical experience
8–12 yrs

What you'd do

  • Define and execute clinical operations strategy for portfolios; manage a large team of managers and associates.
  • Oversee all programs’ timelines, budgets and key deliverables across phases.
  • Build and maintain relationships with CROs and external partners; negotiate contracts and SLAs.
  • Allocate departmental resources; oversee hiring and development of the ClinOps organization.
  • Report program status and risks to executive leadership; drive cross-program priorities.
  • Define clinical operations strategy
  • Manage timelines and budgets
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Allocate resources
  • Report to executive leadership

Skills, knowledge & tools

  • Strategic planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Team management
  • Contract negotiation
  • Resource allocation
  • Program reporting
  • Executive communication
  • Cross-cultural management
  • Clinical development processes
  • Strategic planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Financial acumen
  • Contract negotiation
  • Resource management
  • Leadership skills
  • Cross-cultural competence
  • Visionary leadership
  • Executive communication
  • Decision Authority
  • Cross-Cultural Competence

What good looks like

  • Comprehensive understanding of clinical development (phases I–IV, labeling, post-market commitments).
  • Strategic planning and portfolio management capabilities.
  • High-level financial acumen (P&L oversight, ROI analysis).

Where it sits & what it pays

O*NET / SOC: 19-0000Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations(inferred · under review)

Market-pay benchmarks for this family × level are coming — JobFrame anchors pay to the family/level structure rather than the raw title.

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