Senior Director - Clinical Research _ Office of Associate Vice Chancellor for Research

Job Title

Senior Director - Clinical Research, Office of Associate Vice Chancellor for Research

Location

Main Campus, Jackson

Job Summary

Leads and oversees the clinical trials operations at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). This role is responsible for providing strategic direction, operational leadership, and centralized oversight of clinical research activities. Serves as a key resource for faculty, staff, and institutional leadership, promoting and supporting clinical research efforts while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and institutional priorities.

Works collaboratively across departments to enhance efficiency, strengthen research capabilities, and facilitate high‑quality clinical trial execution.

Education & Experience

Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of work experience in clinical research operations, regulatory compliance, or clinical trials management, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree, Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), and professional‑level clinical research experience in an academic medical center.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Detail‑oriented with knowledge in multiple areas of clinical research, including clinical procedures, compliance, government regulations, and budgetary issues. Demonstrates leadership and proven ability to function effectively in a matrix organization. Experience with information technology and systems analysis.

Strong organization, planning, and prioritization skills. Effective decision‑making, analysis, and problem‑solving abilities supported by critical thinking. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates current clinical trials practices, sets a vision based on findings, and communicates vision to relevant stakeholders.
• Works with Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor (OAVCR) Directors to ensure compliance with applicable regulations; provides leadership in identifying and implementing corrective actions/processes.
• Plans and implements program operations, identifies and develops centralized governance, processes and/or guidelines, coordinates program activities and timelines.
• Assesses communication and training needs, develops and implements applicable communication, education, training, onboarding and/or mentorship needs.
• Provides Clinical Trials updates, including trial status/metrics, budget, accomplishments and risks to research leadership and other relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborates with internal and external key collaborators including departments, leaders across the organization, and representatives from external agencies/organizations to provide mentorship, resolve issues, grow clinical trials, and implement processes and/or solutions.
• Identifies growth opportunities and further efficiencies that impact the program and/or department success and aids in development of strategic plans to achieve objectives.
• Runs meetings, sets agendas, creates action items and prioritizes for clinical trials stakeholders in order to move overall research mission forward.
• In conjunction with leadership, responsible for planning, monitoring, and leading program fiscal budgets and financials, and resolving or advancing issues.
• Discretionary duty: management may add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires occasional handling of potentially dangerous equipment, exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood‑borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals. May involve frequent standing, walking, occasional lifting up to 10 pounds, occasional bending, stooping, driving, kneeling, pushing/pulling and reaching. Work hours may exceed the regular schedule and frequent travel to off‑site locations may be required.

Additional Information

Full‑time; FLSA designation: exempt; Salary. FTE %: 100%; Work shift: Day. Job posting date: 04/30/2026; Job closing date: 05/05/2026.