Director, Consulting

Company Information

At Advarra, we are passionate about making a difference in the world of clinical research and advancing human health. With a rich history rooted in ethical review services combined with innovative technology solutions and deep industry expertise, we are at the forefront of industry change. A market leader and pioneer, Advarra breaks the silos that impede clinical research, aligning patients, sites, sponsors, and CROs in a connected ecosystem to accelerate trials.

Company Culture

Our employees are the heart of Advarra. They are the key to our success and the driving force behind our mission and vision. Our values (Patient-Centric, Ethical, Quality Focused, Collaborative) guide our actions and decisions. Knowing the impact of our work on trial participants and patients, we act with urgency and purpose to advance clinical research so that people can live happier, healthier lives.

At Advarra, we seek to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone is treated with respect and diverse perspectives are embraced. Treating one another, our clients, and clinical trial participants with empathy and care are key tenets of our culture at Advarra; we are committed to creating a workplace where each employee is not only valued but empowered to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Job Overview Summary

The Director, Consulting has the responsibility, as assigned, to serve in a team leadership role, operate as a client liaison, and provide consultancy services as an individual or as part of an increasingly diverse consulting group for Advarra Consulting Client projects.  The Director will assist sites and institutions to design, optimize, and scale research operations across their organizations. This role will partner closely with research, technology, clinical, and operational stakeholders to improve efficiency, quality, and impact of clinical research programs. The ideal consultant brings a mix of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and deep expertise in research operations best practices.

The position is eligible to be home based which requires a self-provided designated workspace that is free from distractions and interruptions, as well as maintaining a high-speed internet connection. Position must maintain a goal of a billable utilization rate of 65% to ensure bonus eligibility.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Research Operations Strategy & Design

• Assess current research operations, workflows, tools, and governance models
• Design and implement scalable research operations frameworks aligned to organizational goals
• Establish best practices for research planning, intake, prioritization, and resourcing

Process Optimization & Execution

• Streamline end-to-end research workflows (intake, approvals, execution, reporting, archiving)
• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs), playbooks, and templates
• Improve cross-functional collaboration between research, information technology, compliance, and leadership

Tools, Systems & Infrastructure

• Evaluate and recommend research tools and platforms (e.g., participant recruitment and management, e-regulatory and e-consent tools, repositories, project tracking)
• Support implementation or optimization of research technology
• Define data management, documentation, and knowledge-sharing practices

Governance, Compliance & Quality

• Support research governance models, including ethics, compliance, and risk management where applicable
• Ensure research operations align with regulatory, privacy, and organizational standards
• Develop metrics and dashboards to measure research efficiency, impact, and quality

Stakeholder Enablement

• Act as a trusted advisor to research leaders and teams
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and change management efforts
• Enable teams to adopt new processes and ways of working effectively

Internally at Advarra

• Partner with Consulting leadership in the oversight of Consulting Services provided to Clients
• Supervise and allocate resources relating to Client projects
• Manage and lead through individual contributors who are either Advarra Consulting FTEs or independent consultants, as assigned
• Provide training, oversight, and serve as a mentor to Advarra team members and independent sub-contractors
• Establish, cultivate, and maintain relationships with clients as the primary point of contact for all service-related client communication and cross-project issues
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop collateral for Advarra Consulting Services
• Participate in thought leadership activities for Advarra Consulting, including but not limited to, the development of blogs, white papers, and case studies. Thought leadership also includes presenting at Advarra sponsored webinars & professional conferences
• Attend and participate in management and infrastructure support meetings
• Evaluate processes and gauge ongoing procedural compliance within Advarra Consulting and influence process improvement initiatives
• Represent Advarra Consulting on Business Development /Sales calls to scope new projects
• Collaborate with other business units within Advarra Consulting to identify talent and project management goals
• Advise on the development of departmental Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines and other tools to support Client consulting services
• Perform other assignments as directed by the Advarra Consulting Management Team
• Position may require extensive travel, up to 50% at times.

Location

This role is open to candidates working remotely in the United States.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of eight (8) years in research operations, research program management, or related consulting roles
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and scaling research operations in complex organizations
• Experience working cross-functionally with senior stakeholders
• Three (3) + years of management experience
• Experience with U.S. and international legal and regulatory standards and compliance

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred: Advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., JD, MS); Degree in Nursing, Science, or related field (or equivalent)
• Preferred: Certifications related to clinical research operations (e.g., CCRC, CCRA, CCRP)
• Demonstrated working knowledge of regulatory matters related to research administration, compliance, and operations as well as data privacy frameworks.
• Aptitude and knowledge to provide oversight of and/or perform operational support for Academic or Institutional Research, sites and site networks, or pharmaceutical sponsors.
• Consulting experience supporting organizational transformation
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point).
• Project management and team building skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.
• Ability to analyze a variety of data points to solve complex problems.
• Ability to work independently; planning, organizing, scheduling, and completing work within deadlines.
• Ability to manage conflicting demands and priorities through research, problem solving and critical thinking.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time at stationary workstation
• Regularly carry, raise, and lower objects of up to 10 Lbs.
• Learn and comprehend basic instructions
• Focus and attention to tasks and responsibilities
• Verbal communication; listening and understanding, responding, and speaking

Advarra is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability or genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Advarra provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of these protected characteristics. Further, Advarra takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to any of these protected characteristics in all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and separation from employment. 

The base salary range for this role is $122,000 to $250,000. Note that salary may vary based on location, skills, and experience and may vary from the amounts listed above. This position may also be eligible for a variable bonus in addition to base salary as well as health coverage, paid holidays, and other benefits.