Clinical Operations Manager - Country Expansion

Company Description

At Milestone One, we’re transforming access to clinical trials by expanding research site networks and fostering strategic partnerships with medical institutions. Our mission is to connect patients, physicians, and sponsors in a seamless ecosystem that accelerates breakthrough treatments.

Help us build clinical operations from the ground up.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial clinical research leader to establish and grow our operations in a new market. This is a unique opportunity to build a country's clinical research business from the ground up—developing a network of investigator sites, securing partnerships with sponsors and CROs, delivering high-quality clinical trials, and building a high-performing local team.

If you've helped launch or grow a country's operations within a CRO, SMO, or sponsor organization and are looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Description

What You'll Do

Build our presence in the market

• Develop and execute the country expansion strategy.
• Represent the company within the local clinical research community.
• Build relationships with key investigators, healthcare institutions, sponsors, CROs, and other industry stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to expand our presence and grow the business.

Develop a high-quality investigator network

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard investigator sites.
• Build long-term partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and investigators.
• Assess site capabilities, patient populations, and research readiness.
• Continuously expand and strengthen the site's network.

Drive business growth

• Develop relationships with sponsors and CROs to generate new study opportunities.
• Present our capabilities and investigator network to prospective clients.
• Support feasibility assessments, proposals, and bid defenses.
• Match sponsor requirements with the most suitable investigator sites.
• Contribute to achieving country growth and revenue objectives.

Lead clinical operations

• Oversee the successful delivery of clinical trials across the country.
• Ensure studies are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations, GCP, and company SOPs.
• Monitor operational performance and resolve challenges proactively.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Build and lead the local team

• Recruit, mentor, and develop the country's clinical operations team as the business grows.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Ensure appropriate resource planning to support business growth.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will likely have experience:

• Establishing or growing country operations within a CRO, SMO, or sponsor organization.
• Building investigator and site networks from the ground up.
• Developing strategic relationships with sponsors, CROs, and investigators.
• Leading clinical operations across multiple studies and sites.
• Growing and managing high-performing teams.
• Working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or a related field.
• 8–12+ years of experience in clinical research.
• Proven experience in a leadership role within a CRO, SMO, or sponsor organization.
• Demonstrated success launching or scaling operations in a country or region.
• Strong knowledge of ICH-GCP, clinical trial regulations, and study execution.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Business-level English and fluency in the local language.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• Build a country's operations from the ground up.
• Shape strategy and make decisions that directly influence business growth.
• Work across business development, clinical operations, and leadership.
• Recruit and develop your own team.
• Join an ambitious, international organization expanding into new markets.