Director-Early Phase Services

HALO Growth Partners is proud to be leading a retained search for Flourish Research for a Director, Early Phase Services. This is a hybrid role, based in San Antonio, TX, that will require 30% travel to assigned sites. Relocation assistance is available.

The Company: Flourish Research

Advancing the health and wellness of society through clinical trials, Flourish Research is one of the largest integrated clinical research site companies in the US, with best-in-class sites who have a strong brand and track-record of recruiting and retaining a highly diversified patient populations in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, metabolic disorders/renal, CNS, pulmonology, and vaccines.

Flourish’s fully integrated site network strategy with centralized infrastructure and investment in technology allows for superior patient access, engagement, and diversification as well as consistent, high quality data delivery. Flourish has differentiated its sites through an investment in Quality Management Systems, a focus on patient diversity, and deep clinical expertise backed by SMEs in its Centers of Excellence focus areas.

The Role & Opportunity

The Director, Early Phase Services assists in the provision of oversight, development, leadership, direction and management of the conduct/execution of multiple projects and programs for research related activities and personnel within the early phase while achieving overall success of the team at Flourish Research.

To carry out these responsibilities while ensuring subject/patient safety and while following applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures, federal regulations, medical ethics, Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), International Council of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines, Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, and in compliance with specific sponsor protocol requirements. To promote, support and supervise the team’s completion of the above while complying with Flourish Research’s mission. The Director, Early Phase Services role is based in San Antonio, TX and reports to the Site Director.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development Leadership

• Drive early phase study acquisition across all Flourish sites, building and maintaining sponsor and CRO relationships specifically for Phase I/Early Phase II opportunities
• Cultivating relationships with Sponsor/CRO

Site Capability Development

• Conduct gap analyses at sites interested in or performing early phase work, develop implementation roadmaps, and provide hands-on support and training to build infrastructure and capabilities.
• Assist in management of all team members involved to foster growth and success of Flourish Research and Flourish Research employees; Screen/interview/hire team members for early phase team.
• Provide a leadership role in developing, implementing and evaluating staff and the conduct of studies at Flourish Research; Back-up team members during absences and/or heavy workloads to ensure that work is completed accurately and on time.
• Train, mentor and supervise early phase team members.
• Ensure meeting team budget and revenue; oversee PRN training and scheduling.
• Accountable for the operations, processes, work instructions, and productivity of the team.

Standardization & Training

• Create and deliver enterprise-level early phase training programs, ensure consistency in operations across sites, and establish best practices for early phase conduct.
• Represent Flourish Research in a professional and courteous manner (verbal, written and in appearance) when interacting with Flourish Research staff, sponsors/CROs, IRBs, patients/subjects, nursing and medical staff members of various clinics, hospitals and physicians’ offices.
• Ensure the maintenance of confidentiality by team members of subject/patient information as appropriate and as bound by Confidentiality Agreements with Flourish Research, between Flourish Research and sponsors/CROs and between Flourish Research and other entities while abiding by HIPAA regulations.
• Able to perform all duties as specified in the Flourish Research Assistant Director, Team 1 job description.
• Accountable for meeting project objectives and deliverables according to study timeline.
• Potentially assist on multiple and complex protocols as CRC.
• Attend manager meetings and trainings as well as other planning/organizational meetings as required by Flourish Research.
• Complete staff evaluations and counselings.
• Conduct interviewing, hiring and training team members for early phase.

Operational Oversight

• Travel to sites to assess readiness, provide on-site support during startup and execution, and serve as subject matter expert for early phase regulatory and operational requirements.
• Ensure continuous high level involvement by principal investigators as required by FDA regulations/ICH guidelines and Flourish Research SOPs by maintaining frequent communications with and training of physician investigators and their staff.
• Ensure data integrity for all work performed by team members through review of data collection and entry procedures.
• Monitoring visit reports/follow-up letters, and by interfacing with sponsor/CRO representatives.
• Assist in scheduling and attend meetings to include but not limited to PSVs, periodic team meetings, trainings, recruitment meetings, budget meetings, SIVs, IMVs, partnership calls.
• Establish and maintain avenues for dissemination of vital communication. Provide pertinent communications (written and oral) of sufficient frequency to effectively disseminate information and/or to gain feedback regarding the team’s performance and any issues requiring intervention/management to immediate supervisors, direct reports, and the executive team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Strategic Planning

• Drive recruitment and ensure that enrollment goals for all studies are met.
• Forecasts visits, revenue, and profit; strategically lead, build, and set goals for the early phase department (meeting financial, enrollment, quality goals).
• Collaborate with budget and contract personnel to assist with initial budget creation and negotiations when amendments to the protocol or study budget are made.
• Accountable for the operations, processes, work instructions, and productivity of the team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required; Master’s degree or advanced clinical credentials (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant) preferred.
• Minimum 1–3 years conducting or managing early phase clinical research (pharmaceutical or device).
• Minimum 3 years of management experience required.
• Previous early phase trial management experience required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrates core values & all skills set required.
• Able to demonstrate current knowledge of federal regulations/ICH guidelines and GCPs, IRB requirements, HIPAA laws, SOPs, employee manual and some knowledge of human resource laws.
• Possess strong clinical skills, i.e. accurate performance of ECGs, vital signs, subject/patient medical history, completion of visit specific source documents, obtain and process laboratory specimens, etc.
• Proven ability to handle a large volume of paperwork efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to organize people and manage resources to complete projects in a timely manner and with accuracy.
• Demonstrate moderate to high level of computer skills including Microsoft Office, data entry systems utilized by sponsors, and RealTime software.
• Assists with key initiatives/process improvements in the department.
• Assists with training company new hires.
• Completes at least 80% of goals annually.

Professional Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change and drive accountability.
• Strong operational, financial, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Skilled in performance management, coaching, and talent development.
• Ability to build and maintain strong sponsor and investigator relationships.
• Capable of multitasking in high-pressure environments while maintaining data integrity and compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal presence and professional judgment.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment;
• Travel required locally as well as within the continental United States.
• Travel from time to time may include locations outside of the North American continent;
• Exposure to human bodily fluids;
• Laboratory procedures to obtain specimens and processing of specimens;
• Subject/patient care;
• Daily computer use;
• Availability during weekends, holiday, and outside of core business hours may be required based on the demands of the projects being executed;
• Ability to properly lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally more than 35 pounds;
• Ability to drive and daily availability of an automobile.

Compensation Package

• $150k – $170K plus Bonus Potential
• Annual Performance-Based Merit Salary Program
• Paid Time Off
• 8 Paid Holidays, Additional 2 Floating Holidays
• 401K Plan: 4% Match
• Employee Review and Performance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Policy
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Supplemental Parental Leave

Requirements for Application

• Apply via LinkedIn or send a resume and salary requirements to: executivesearch@halogrowthpartners.com
• No faxes or phone calls will be accepted
• Flourish is an equal opportunity employer