Director Field Clinical & Patient Screening Programs
Abbott
Summary
The Director Field Clinical & Patient Screening Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for field-based clinical teams supporting TMVR programs. This role ensures safe, effective, and compliant clinical trial support while enabling training, exceptional case conduct and positive patient outcomes. The position is accountable for staffing, budget and policy recommendations and partners closely with Clinical Operations, Clinical Science, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Training, and Commercial functions.
Job description
The Opportunity
The Director Field Clinical & Patient Screening Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for field-based clinical teams supporting TMVR programs. This role ensures safe, effective, and compliant clinical trial support while enabling training, exceptional case conduct and positive patient outcomes. The position is accountable for staffing, budget and policy recommendations and partners closely with Clinical Operations, Clinical Science, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Training, and Commercial functions.
This is a field based role within the Structural Heart division, whose business purpose is to restore health and improve quality of life by designing and providing device and management solutions for treating structural heart disease.
What You'll Work On
- Leads the Field Clinical function for TMVR clinical studies, including program development, staffing, training (team and clinical sites) and budget development and accountability.
- Leads the Patient screening and selection function for TMVR clinical studies, including developing the required patient specific analysis to enable patient selection based on complex review of medical imaging data and other materials to support trial enrollments.
- Participates in the development and review of clinical research protocols, reports and statistical analysis plans.
- Acts as senior point of contact with respect to Clinical Investigators and site research staff.
- Establishes and monitors standardized operating models, policies, and performance metrics for Field Clinical & Patient Screening support.
- Ensures compliance with FDA, ISO, MDR, and global regulatory requirements.
- Collaborates with Clinical Science to provide input and ensure alignment to approved clinical strategies and evidence.
- Provides accurate, timely, and consistent clinical data and program updates to key stakeholders.
- Requires knowledge of disease state and device usage.
- Presents study updates to Sr. Leadership, Investigators and other key stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Healthcare, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Healthcare, or a related field with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.
- Significant experience supporting complex structural heart clinical programs, including direct experience with Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) technologies, clinical studies, and procedures.
- Demonstrated success building, leading, and scaling high-performing field clinical teams supporting investigational medical device programs, including developing organizational capabilities, governance, and standardized operating processes.
- Strong understanding of structural heart disease, transcatheter valve therapies, advanced cardiac imaging, and anatomical patient screening and selection.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clinical investigators, physician leaders, and research sites, including navigating complex clinical decisions, investigator expectations, and enrollment challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional clinical programs, drive operational excellence, and ensure consistent execution in highly regulated clinical trial environments.
- Strong strategic leadership, communication, and organizational management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership, develop managers, and lead geographically dispersed teams.
- Experience developing and managing budgets, staffing plans, and operational performance metrics to achieve clinical program objectives.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Healthcare, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Healthcare, or a related field with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.
- Significant experience supporting complex structural heart clinical programs, including direct experience with Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) technologies, clinical studies, and procedures.
- Demonstrated success building, leading, and scaling high-performing field clinical teams supporting investigational medical device programs, including developing organizational capabilities, governance, and standardized operating processes.
- Strong understanding of structural heart disease, transcatheter valve therapies, advanced cardiac imaging, and anatomical patient screening and selection.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clinical investigators, physician leaders, and research sites, including navigating complex clinical decisions, investigator expectations, and enrollment challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional clinical programs, drive operational excellence, and ensure consistent execution in highly regulated clinical trial environments.
- Strong strategic leadership, communication, and organizational management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership, develop managers, and lead geographically dispersed teams.
- Experience developing and managing budgets, staffing plans, and operational performance metrics to achieve clinical program objectives.
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student debt program
- Education benefit
- Career development
Company overview
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare leader with a 135-year legacy of innovation, dedicated to helping people live healthier, fuller lives through life-changing technologies and products. Headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, the company operates in more than 160 countries with a workforce of approximately 114,000 professionals. Abbott's diversified portfolio spans four core business segments: medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is particularly renowned for its groundbreaking medical devices including cardiovascular technologies, diabetes management systems like the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor, neuromodulation devices for chronic pain, and the AVEIR DR dual chamber leadless pacemaker system. In diagnostics, Abbott has been instrumental in developing critical tests, including the first licensed HIV test in 1985 that helped secure blood supply safety. The company's nutrition division produces leading infant formulas like Similac, while its pharmaceutical business provides quality branded generic medicines. Abbott consistently ranks among Fortune's Most Admired Companies and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, making it a trusted partner in advancing global healthcare.