Executive Director, Clinical Research

C0000274692P New York, United States of America

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Title: Executive Director, Clinical Research

Location: Midtown

Org Unit: Office of Clinical Research

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $281,400.00 - $335,800.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Clinical Research, the Executive Director for Clinical Research is a senior administrative and strategic leader responsible for advancing a high performing, integrated clinical research office across a major New York City academic medical center and its affiliated hospitals. This role operates at the intersection of the academic institution, medical school, and health system, driving growth in clinical trials in all areas (e.g. government, foundation, pharma, investigator-initiated), strengthening industry relationships, and improving operational efficiency in one of the most competitive and complex research markets in the country. The Executive Director will play a critical role in enhancing the institution’s position as a top-tier clinical research destination, with a particular focus on trial activation speed, participant enrollment, diversity in research participation, and sponsor experience

Job Responsibilities

Partner with the Research Dean’s Office, medical school, and WCM/NYP health system leaders to develop and execute a unified clinical research strategy.
Align clinical research priorities with institutional strengths and position the organization competitively among leading New York City academic medical centers.
Expand clinical trials and strategic partnerships with government agencies, foundations, biopharma companies, device manufacturers, and CROs.
Serve as a senior institutional liaison to sponsors and enhance sponsor experience through efficient feasibility, activation, and trial execution processes.
Increase research participation and access to clinical trials across hospitals, ambulatory practices, and community-based sites throughout the NYC metropolitan area.
Oversee and optimize the full clinical trial lifecycle, including feasibility, startup, contracting, budgeting, participant recruitment, study conduct, and closeout.
Implement and advance centralized research services, standardized workflows, and shared-service models to improve operational efficiency and consistency.
Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers to improve performance, scalability, and research support capabilities.
Partner with health system leadership to integrate research into clinical care pathways and leverage EHR tools to support patient identification and recruitment.
Develop collaborations with affiliated institutions and strategic partners to expand research opportunities, capabilities, and participant access.
Ensure compliance with FDA, OHRP, New York State, and institutional requirements while promoting ethical research practices and participant safety.
Strengthen audit readiness and inspection outcomes through collaboration with Human Research Protections, Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Internal Audit teams.
Enhance investigator engagement through training, onboarding, mentorship, and operational support that reduces administrative burden and improves study success.
Advance adoption of research technologies, including CTMS, EHR-integrated recruitment tools, eConsent platforms, and data-driven approaches to trial management.
Oversee financial performance of the clinical research enterprise, including cost recovery, revenue optimization, infrastructure investments, and key performance metrics.

Education

Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree in related field preferred

Experience

10+ years of experience in clinical research within:
- Academic medical centers (strongly preferred)
Proven leadership in clinical trials operations, administration, or translational research
Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and institutional compliance processes
Strong expertise in clinical research budgeting, financial reconciliation and financial auditing
Experience working in both academic and hospital environments
Strong relationships with biopharma, device manufacturers and CROs
Familiarity with Epic and enterprise research systems
Background in areas such as oncology trials, population health, or precision medicine
Experience with OnCore and InfoEd HS preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to foster positive relationships with Principal Investigators, study clinical and administrative teams, and clinical, scientific and administrative leadership.
Strong understanding of the pre/post award processes of private and public research funding.
In depth knowledge about all aspects of clinical research administration and operations, particularly best practices for study activation and conduct.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
Ability to lead and direct large, diverse work groups engaged in widely divergent areas.
Ability to work with complex data and generate meaningful reports.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Nearest Major Market: Manhattan
Nearest Secondary Market: New York City

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