Clinical Research Program Director

Hybrid 2: This role requires associates to be in-office 3 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support productivity and work-life balance. This approach combines structured office engagement with the autonomy of virtual work, promoting a dynamic and adaptable workplace. Alternate locations may be considered if candidates reside within a commuting distance from an office. 

Please note that per our policy on hybrid/virtual work, candidates not within a reasonable commuting distance from the posting location(s) will not be considered for employment, unless an accommodation is granted as required by law.

As the research arm of Elevance Health, Carelon Research is a full-service CRO with more than three decades’ experience integrating data, clinical expertise, and scientific rigor with patient perspectives to accelerate impact. When studies are designed with the power of real-world health data and patient insights, decisions become clearer, connections stronger, and outcomes more meaningful. 

The Clinical Research Program Director is responsible for the development and ongoing management of one or more external client-facing clinical research programs that are multi-state, multi-function, and multi-year in scope. This role serves as a strategic leader across clinical research operations, business development, proposal development, and client engagement activities. The Program Director supports business growth by helping secure new research opportunities, fostering client relationships, representing the organization at industry conferences, and ensuring successful execution of externally funded clinical research programs.

How You Will Make an Impact

Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Assists with project budgets, proposal budgets, forecasting, and business planning activities to support clinical research program growth and operational performance. 

• Develops project proposals, capabilities presentations, and client-facing materials while engaging sponsors and prospective clients to discuss clinical research capabilities and opportunities.

• Attends industry conferences, scientific meetings, and client events to promote the clinical research line of business, develop relationships, and support business development efforts.

• Provides subject matter expertise regarding clinical research operations, regulatory considerations, and industry best practices while staying informed of emerging trends impacting research organizations and sponsors.

• Manages external client-facing relationships, serves as a point of escalation, and partners with cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery of clinical research programs and high levels of client satisfaction.

• Leads strategic initiatives focused on process improvement, operational effectiveness, adoption of new tools and technologies, and enhancement of clinical research capabilities.

• Develops presentations, reporting materials, and executive-level communications to support program oversight, client meetings, business development efforts, and performance tracking.

• Typically reports to an executive.

• Program directors typically manage external client-facing programs that require coordinating activities and resources across multiple departments, business areas, sponsors, and research stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements:

Requires a BA/BS and minimum of 10 years experience in external client facing program management, project management; complex business processes, strategic and business planning; or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.

Preferred Skills, Capabilities, & Experiences:

• Clinical research experience within a Contract Research Organization (CRO), life sciences company, academic research organization, or sponsor-funded research environment preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex clinical research programs and serving as a strategic partner to clients, sponsors, investigators, and research stakeholders preferred.

• Experience supporting business development activities, including proposal development, capabilities presentations, client engagement, and pursuit of new research opportunities preferred.

• High level of working knowledge of GCP, ICH, FDA regulations, and the clinical research regulatory environment preferred.

• Strong consultative communication, relationship management, and presentation skills with the ability to represent an organization at industry conferences, scientific meetings, and client-facing events preferred.

• Experience working with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other life sciences organizations while supporting externally funded clinical research programs preferred. 

Please be advised that Elevance Health only accepts resumes for compensation from agencies that have a signed agreement with Elevance Health. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Elevance Health.

Who We Are

Elevance Health is a health company dedicated to improving lives and communities – and making healthcare simpler. We are a Fortune 25 company with a longstanding history in the healthcare industry, looking for leaders at all levels of the organization who are passionate about making an impact on our members and the communities we serve.

How We Work

At Elevance Health, we are creating a culture that is designed to advance our strategy but will also lead to personal and professional growth for our associates. Our values and behaviors are the root of our culture. They are how we achieve our strategy, power our business outcomes and drive our shared success - for our consumers, our associates, our communities and our business.

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and incentive bonus programs (unless covered by a collective bargaining agreement), medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k) +match, stock purchase plan, life insurance, wellness programs and financial education resources, to name a few.

Elevance Health operates in a Hybrid Workforce Strategy. Unless specified as primarily virtual by the hiring manager, associates are required to work at an Elevance Health location at least once per week, and potentially several times per week. Specific requirements and expectations for time onsite will be discussed as part of the hiring process.

The health of our associates and communities is a top priority for Elevance Health. We require all new candidates in certain patient/member-facing roles to become vaccinated against COVID-19 and Influenza. If you are not vaccinated, your offer will be rescinded unless you provide an acceptable explanation. Elevance Health will also follow all relevant federal, state and local laws.

Elevance Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact elevancehealthjobssupport@elevancehealth.com for assistance.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

Prospective employees required to be screened under Florida law should review the education and awareness resources at HB531 | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.