Director, Clinical Operations & Growth

GTA (Hybrid) - Confidential Search

About the Opportunity

Our client is a growing clinical research organization with ambitious plans to expand its footprint across Canada. Backed by experienced healthcare and technology entrepreneurs, the organization is entering an exciting phase of growth focused on enhancing operational excellence, patient recruitment capabilities, and site expansion.

To support this vision, we are seeking a Director, Clinical Research Operations & Growth who will play a key leadership role in both the day-to-day operation of the business and its long-term expansion strategy.

This is a unique opportunity for a highly entrepreneurial clinical research leader who is excited by the challenge of building, scaling and transforming organizations.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, the Director, Clinical Operations & Growth will oversee clinical research operations while driving strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating patient recruitment, improving operational efficiency, expanding site capabilities and supporting future growth opportunities.

The successful candidate will serve as a key business partner, helping shape the organization's vision and contributing to its long-term expansion strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Operations Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day clinical research operations across multiple sites.
• Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP, Health Canada regulations, sponsor requirements and internal SOPs.
• Support study start-up, execution and close-out activities.
• Maintain strong relationships with sponsors, CROs, investigators and key stakeholders.
• Provide operational leadership to clinical research staff and site personnel.
• Monitor site performance, study metrics and recruitment targets.

Strategic Growth & Business Development

• Identify opportunities to improve patient recruitment and enrollment strategies.
• Develop scalable operational processes and workflows.
• Evaluate opportunities for new therapeutic areas, service offerings and site expansion.
• Support acquisition and integration initiatives as the organization grows.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and execute strategic growth plans.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Leadership & Culture

• Build and foster a collaborative, high-performing and entrepreneurial culture.
• Mentor and develop team members.
• Champion innovation, accountability and operational excellence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of experience within clinical research operations.
• Experience working within a clinical research site, site network, CRO, biotech, or related healthcare environment.
• Strong knowledge of clinical trial operations, regulatory requirements, and sponsor interactions.
• Experience leading teams and managing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while driving operational execution.
• Proven ability to lead initiatives and drive results in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where strategic thinking and hands-on execution are equally important.

Preferred

• Experience scaling organizations, building new programs, or leading growth initiatives.
• Exposure to business development, site expansion, operational transformation, or acquisition/integration projects.
• Experience within primary care or multi-specialty research environments is considered an asset.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias toward action and problem-solving.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

• Opportunity to help build and scale a growing clinical research organization.
• High level of visibility and influence with executive leadership.
• Significant autonomy and decision-making authority.
• Ability to shape the future direction of the organization.
• Competitive compensation package including meaningful performance-based incentives.

Thank you in advance for your interest. Only individuals deemed to have the skill set and experience to fit the role will be contacted. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada without sponsorship.

Lock Search Group is a National Executive Recruitment firm with offices coast-to-coast, a staff of more than 25 Consultants and Associates, and expertise in four core practice areas. Our mission is to provide exceptional Recruitment and Consulting Services to clients and candidates. We apply our experience and expertise to deliver solutions with a personalized approach that focuses on client needs and candidate goals.

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