Assistant Director, Research Data Operations

Assistant Director Of Research Data Operations

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation's largest, community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology's mission remains unchanged : To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. Tennessee Oncology is committed to advancing both the science of detection and targeted treatments, and to making these advances available to every patient. We believe caring for cancer patients is a privilege.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Research Data Operations provides strategic oversight and operational leadership for research data management and study operations at the clinical research site. This role oversees a team of site operations staff, ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality execution of clinical trials across all therapeutic areas. The Assistant Director works closely with investigators, regulatory staff, and external partners to support study initiation, data integrity, patient safety, and site compliance with regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions :

• Ensure site adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements.
• Provide oversight and support for clinical trial management activities to ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency across all studies.
• Collaborate with research site leaders, principal investigators, and research staff to ensure effective implementation and execution of clinical research protocols.
• Communicate research updates, quality metrics, and performance outcomes to key stakeholders through presentations, reports, and meetings.
• Develop and oversee operational strategies that streamline study activation, enhance data quality, and improve patient enrollment and retention.
• Identify and assess potential risks and challenges in research operations and develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure the integrity and success of clinical research initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver training programs and educational initiatives to enhance research staff competency and proficiency in clinical research methodologies, regulatory standards, and best practices.
• Lead change management initiatives to modernize workflows, adopt new technologies, and improve cross-functional collaboration.
• Develop and implement best practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance measures to optimize research processes and outcomes.
• Monitor operational metrics and data quality reports, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, dashboards, and KPIs to evaluate team performance and operational health.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments of research operations to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Proactively address issues and obstacles encountered during research activities, working collaboratively with stakeholders to implement effective solutions and ensure study continuity.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to research staff to support their professional development and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including research site leaders, clinical staff, sponsors, regulatory agencies, and research partners.
• Ensure adequate resourcing, staffing, and training across operational teams to meet the needs of a growing research portfolio.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture that emphasizes accountability and professional development.
• Participate in succession planning and workforce development to ensure organizational stability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :

Education & Experience :

Physical Requirements :

Travel Requirements :