Associate Operational Excellence Director

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for an Associate Operational Excellence Director in United States.

This is a senior-level operational leadership role focused on driving enterprise-wide transformation, continuous improvement, and execution excellence within a highly regulated clinical and life sciences environment. The position plays a key role in shaping and standardizing processes across complex, cross-functional programs, ensuring operational consistency, scalability, and measurable performance improvement. You will lead initiatives that span process optimization, change management, and enterprise program delivery, translating strategic priorities into structured execution plans. Operating in a fast-paced, data-driven environment, you will partner closely with clinical operations, R&D, and functional leadership teams. The role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, hands-on program execution, and stakeholder leadership. This is a high-impact opportunity to influence operational effectiveness across a global clinical research organization.

Accountabilities

* Lead planning, execution, and delivery of enterprise-level and cross-functional initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities

* Define project scope, objectives, success metrics, timelines, and governance structures to ensure consistent and predictable delivery outcomes

* Drive operational excellence by identifying opportunities for process improvement, automation, and increased efficiency across clinical and enterprise functions

* Lead root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving efforts to identify operational challenges and develop sustainable solutions

* Develop and implement standardized processes, workflows, SOPs, and governance frameworks to ensure scalability and consistency across the organization

* Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and reporting tools to track operational performance and drive data-informed decisions

* Lead change management initiatives to ensure adoption, engagement, and long-term sustainability of new processes and systems

* Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize initiatives, manage dependencies, and ensure alignment with organizational goals

* Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring proactive issue resolution and escalation when needed

* Oversee documentation, training, and communication of process changes to ensure clarity and organizational alignment

* Support continuous improvement programs and ensure integration of best practices across teams and functions

Requirements

* Bachelor’s degree required; 12+ years of relevant experience in operational excellence, clinical operations, or process improvement roles

* Strong experience in CRO, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environments, preferably within drug development or clinical operations

* Deep understanding of clinical research processes, cross-functional operations, and regulated industry standards

* Proven experience leading enterprise programs, transformation initiatives, and change management efforts

* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights

* Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, and performance measurement frameworks

* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organizational levels

* Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and data/analytics platforms

* Strong leadership mindset with high ownership, adaptability, and a continuous improvement orientation

Benefits

* Competitive salary range: $162,000 - $243,000 USD annually, based on experience and qualifications

* Eligibility for annual discretionary bonus

* Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage

* Retirement savings plan with employer contributions

* Life and disability insurance benefits

* Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays

* Parental leave and family support programs

* Opportunity to work in a remote-first, flexible environment

* Exposure to large-scale clinical transformation and operational excellence initiatives

* Career growth within a leading global clinical research organization.

How Jobgether Works

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.