Director, Clin Dev Ops

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Clin Dev Ops based in India.

This leadership role offers the opportunity to shape clinical development operations, technical strategy, and process excellence within a global life sciences environment. You’ll provide strategic and operational direction across clinical operations activities while ensuring consistent delivery against quality, regulatory, and business standards. The role combines people leadership, resource planning, project governance, process optimization, and technology enablement. You’ll work across functions and regions to improve efficiency, strengthen delivery models, and support successful clinical development programs. With responsibility for senior professionals and strategic initiatives, you’ll have meaningful influence on operational performance and organizational growth. The position also offers the opportunity to introduce modern enterprise technologies and data-driven approaches to clinical operations. It is well suited to an experienced clinical research leader who combines strategic thinking with strong execution and a collaborative leadership style.

Accountabilities

• Lead short- and long-term operational planning, departmental growth initiatives, and strategic priorities, providing relevant operational insights and reporting to senior leadership.
• Direct forecasting, planning, resource allocation, and logistics for clinical operations activities while maintaining required performance, quality, and delivery standards.
• Lead or oversee strategic business initiatives and continuous improvement programs designed to strengthen operational efficiency, quality, and organizational performance.
• Provide leadership and line management for clinical operations staff, including senior management, with responsibility for goal setting, performance management, professional development, coaching, and employee engagement.
• Support regional workforce planning by identifying hiring needs, participating in talent acquisition, and developing strategies that promote employee retention and sustainable team growth.
• Serve as a liaison between operational departments and clinical business units to promote consistent project management practices, process optimization, and high-quality delivery.
• Develop, refine, and implement project management processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Work Instructions (WIs), using established process modeling and continuous improvement techniques.
• Lead subject matter expert teams in the development and review of processes and documentation supporting clinical project management activities.
• Support enterprise-wide project management systems, tools, and technology initiatives while evaluating project progress and operational resource requirements.
• Develop, collect, and analyze project metrics, overseeing operational reviews focused on budgets, schedules, risks, resources, and delivery performance.
• Lead global project management systems and processes designed to improve efficiency and optimize the allocation of operational resources.
• Manage departmental human resources activities, including hiring, transfers, terminations, compensation administration, performance reviews, professional development, job descriptions, and employee counseling.
• Interview and select candidates, establish training materials for relevant roles, and support the ongoing development of departmental capabilities.
• Represent clinical operations at relevant professional meetings and seminars and contribute requirements to long-term Information Technology (IT) and enterprise technology planning.
• Drive adherence to internal and customer quality standards, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support a culture of positive change by identifying operational improvements, anticipating critical issues, and developing proactive contingency plans.
• Travel as required, with potential travel of up to 25%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with significant management experience preferably gained within a global clinical research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related life sciences environment.
• Strong and highly relevant clinical research background, with comprehensive knowledge of clinical development and clinical project management practices.
• Thorough understanding of ICH Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) and general regulatory authority requirements applicable to clinical research and drug development.
• Demonstrated leadership experience covering strategic and operational planning, staff direction and motivation, performance management, resource planning, and organizational development.
• Strong tactical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges, address critical issues, establish priorities, and develop effective contingency plans.
• Experience with financial concepts relevant to forecasting, budgeting, financial review, and proposal generation.
• Strong project management and process improvement capabilities, including experience developing metrics, evaluating performance, and optimizing operational workflows.
• Experience working effectively within matrixed organizations and across diverse functions, regions, and stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to align diverse interests around common objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, establish direction and priorities, and drive departmental goals with minimal oversight.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with enterprise technology and business intelligence tools such as PowerApps, Power BI, SharePoint, Oracle, dashboards, and related platforms is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with building or leveraging AI agents and Microsoft Copilot is an advantage.
• Membership or affiliation with relevant professional organizations is highly preferred.
• Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and decision-making skills, combined with a collaborative and adaptable leadership approach.

Benefits

• Full-time position with a permanent, ongoing engagement.
• Fully remote working arrangement within India.
• Flexibility to structure your working day while collaborating across global teams.
• Opportunity to lead clinical development operations and strategic initiatives within a global life sciences environment.
• Significant responsibility for operational strategy, process optimization, technology enablement, and organizational growth.
• Opportunities for career development and professional progression.
• Supportive and engaged line management.
• Technical and therapeutic area training opportunities.
• Peer recognition and total rewards programs.
• Collaborative environment with diverse teams and opportunities for cross-functional and international exposure.
• Access to emerging technologies, data, science, and knowledge-sharing resources.
• Opportunity to contribute to work that supports the development and delivery of therapies intended to improve patients’ lives worldwide.