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Director, Clinical Trial Strategy & Optimization

Key Facts

Remote From: 
Full time
Senior (5-10 years)
English

Other Skills

  • Training And Development
  • Virtual Teams
  • Communication
  • Active Listening
  • Relationship Building
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Bachelor's Degree required
  • At least 5 years of experience in clinical trials
  • Knowledge of ICH Guidelines, GCP, and CFR Title 21
  • Process improvement and change management skills

Requirements:

  • Identify opportunities to optimize clinical trial processes across the study lifecycle and drive process changes that improve speed, quality, consistency, and operational efficiency.
  • Lead cross-functional teams in the design, implementation, and sustainment of process improvements that support high-quality and timely clinical trial delivery.
  • Establish governance, documentation, and standard work to support consistent execution of updated processes and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Build strong partnerships across clinical, operational, quality, technology, and site teams to align stakeholders, remove barriers, and deliver changes.

Job description

It’s More Than a Career, It’s a Mission.


Our people are the foundation of our success. By joining our growing team at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a subsidiary of McKesson, you will have the opportunity to become part of one of the largest community-based cancer programs to advance oncology treatments and improve outcomes for cancer patients across the globe. We look for mission-driven candidates who have a desire to advance the fight against cancer and make a difference in the lives of patients diagnosed with cancer every day.

Our Mission


People who live with cancer – those who work to prevent it, fight it, and survive it – are at the heart of every decision we make. Bringing the most innovative medical minds together with the most passionate caregivers in their communities, we are transforming care and personalizing treatment. Through clinical excellence and cutting-edge research, SCRI is redefining cancer care around the world.

The Director, Clinical Trial Strategy & Optimization is responsible for leading efforts to streamline and enhance clinical trial processes to accelerate study delivery while improving quality, consistency, and operational effectiveness. This role drives critical strategic initiatives across the clinical trial lifecycle, identifies opportunities for process improvement, and partners closely with cross-functional teams to implement scalable solutions that support business goals and high-quality trial execution.

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Identify opportunities to optimize clinical trial processes across the study lifecycle and drive process changes that improve speed, quality, consistency, and operational efficiency.

  • Lead cross-functional teams in the design, implementation, and sustainment of process improvements that support high-quality and timely clinical trial delivery.

  • Ensure site perspectives are represented in process redesign efforts and partner with site stakeholders to bring them along through change planning, communication, training, and adoption.

  • Assess current-state workflows, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and prioritize improvement initiatives based on business impact, feasibility, and alignment with strategic goals.

  • Develop and monitor key performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting to track process improvement outcomes, risks, and opportunities across clinical trial operations.

  • Report progress, insights, and recommendations to executive leadership, providing clear updates on strategic initiatives, implementation status, and measurable impact.

  • Establish governance, documentation, and standard work to support consistent execution of updated processes and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Build strong partnerships across clinical, operational, quality, technology, and site teams to align stakeholders, remove barriers, and deliver changes to process.

  • Collaborate with sites, sponsors, contract research organizations, and vendors as needed to support process alignment, operational readiness, and successful implementation of change.

  • Ensure process improvements are implemented in alignment with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational priorities while maintaining focus on sustainable execution.

Mandatory: The following are mandatory expectations of all SCRI employees.

  • Practices and adheres to the “Code of Conduct” philosophy and “Mission and Value Statement.”

  • During your employment with SCRI, you will be routinely assigned training requirements. You are expected to complete any training assignments by the due date.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree required

  • At least 5 years of experience in clinical trials is required

  • Knowledge of scientific, medical, and regulatory terms

  • Knowledge of ICH Guidelines, GCP, and CFR Title 21

  • Clinical research process knowledge with an understanding of medical terminology

  • Sophisticated problem-solving skills

  • Highly organized

  • Flexible and adaptable

  • Strong communication skills; persuasive, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring; the ability to listen and understand; the ability to communicate the complex in simple terms

  • Ability to establish relationships - develop strategic relationships within and outside of direct organization

  • Facilitation and communication skills - able to drive plans, decisions, and resolve issues through facilitation of groups or individuals

  • Process improvement skills and techniques

  • Change management skills and techniques

  • Excellent active listening skills

  • Experience working in a matrix environment and with virtual team members / stakeholders

  • Ability to thrive in team environments of considerable change

  • Ability to define vision and lead through change

  • Ability to partner with individuals at all levels of management and across organization boundaries

  • Ability to work across many teams to identify business opportunities and drive to consensus

This is a remote position based in the United States. Relocation and visa sponsorship are not available.

Interested candidates should submit their application through https://www.scri.com/careers/. Applications will be accepted through May 29th, 2026. Please ensure all required materials are included as outlined in the posting.

About Sarah Cannon Research Institute


Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) is one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. Focused on advancing therapies for patients over the last three decades, SCRI is a leader in drug development. In 2022, SCRI formed a joint venture with former US Oncology Research to expand clinical trial access across the country. It has conducted more than 850 first-in-human clinical trials since its inception and contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA in the past decade. SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are enrolling patients into clinical trials at more than 200 locations in 20+ states across the U.S. Please click here to learn more about our research offerings.

We care about the well-being of the patients and communities we serve, and that starts with caring for our people. That’s why we have a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive benefits to support physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our Total Rewards offerings serve the different needs of our diverse colleague population and ensure they are the healthiest versions of themselves. For more information regarding benefits through our parent company, McKesson, please click here.

As part of Total Rewards, we are proud to offer a competitive compensation package. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered.

McKesson has become aware of online recruiting-related scams in which individuals who are not affiliated with or authorized by McKesson are using McKesson’s (or affiliated entities, like CoverMyMeds or RxCrossroads) name in fraudulent emails, job postings or social media messages. In light of these scams, please bear the following in mind:

McKesson Talent Advisors will never solicit money or credit card information in connection with a McKesson job application.


McKesson Talent Advisors do not communicate with candidates via online chatrooms or using email accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail. Note that McKesson does rely on a virtual assistant (Gia) for certain recruiting-related communications with candidates.

McKesson job postings are posted on our career site: careers.mckesson.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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