Surgical Specialist Director

Job DescriptionWhat You'll Do:As part of the Clinical Development Leadership Team, the Surgical Specialist Director provides strategic leadership and subject matter expertise in surgical training for clinical investigators, associated healthcare professionals, commercial customers, and internal stakeholders. This role is accountable for the development and implementation of high-quality surgical training for on medical devices and procedural pharmaceuticals that will be used in our clinical studies (pre and post-market). As the lead architect of the surgical training program, the Director oversees the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of training processes, competency assessments, and educational resources. This individual drives cross-functional training initiatives, leads the train-the-trainer strategy, and ensures surgical readiness across clinical trials. This role can support commercial launch activities when needed. With global oversight, this role serves as the clinical team's primary authority on surgical applications and surgical training execution. This role sets the strategic and cultural tone for the Surgical Specialist team and is responsible for the growth, development, and morale of a highly effective and efficient organization.Strategic Leadership of Surgical Training and Support Programs Lead the global surgical training strategy for pre-market clinical trials and post-market programs. Lead a team of Surgical Specialists, serving as a role model, creating a collaborative environment to achieve business needs, Ensure compliance with GCPs and compliance with company SOPs and guidance documents. Develop scalable training models and field implementation strategies to ensure surgical excellence and procedural consistency. Partner with Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, and Commercial Training to align training strategy with company priorities.Direct Delivery of Surgical Training and Support Oversee and perform direct on-site surgical training and mentoring to investigative sites and surgeons for investigational and commercial products. Deliver didactic, dry lab, wet lab, and in operating room surgical training for clinical investigators and commercial users. Lead and conduct surgical competency assessments and determine surgeon readiness for independent practice within protocol. Provide high-level surgical oversight in the operating room during clinical trial cases; support documentation of adverse events, deviations, and procedural integrity. Ensure ongoing qualification and credentialing to access and operate within surgical suites, including international hospital systems.Train-the-Trainer Leadership Lead train-the-trainer programs for RBMs, CRMs, and other field stakeholders, enhancing their ability to provide frontline support. Serve as primary resource and mentor for regional and field teams on surgical techniques, procedural innovation, and emerging best practices.Surgical Specialist Subject Matter Expert (SME) Act as company-wide expert in surgical technique, methodology, and training effectiveness. Collaborate with R&D, Clinical Affairs, and Regulatory to inform device design and procedural workflows from a surgical perspective. Provide early feasibility and first-in-human support for new product initiatives. Remain accessible to field teams and surgeon partners for real-time consultative guidance.Surgical Training Material Development Oversee the development and continuous refinement of surgical training curriculum, resources, and documentation. Lead the development of clinical training materials through partnership with Engineering, Clinical Research, and Marketing to ensure materials meet clinical, educational, and compliance requirements. Integrate feedback from the field to improve training programs and drive surgical outcome excellence.Organizational development Communicate proactively and effectively across Clinical and Commercial teams. Implement cross functional training, collaboration, and feedback.How You'll Get There: Mentor and develop highly experienced to entry level surgical specialist personnel 10+ years of relevant experience as a clinical applications specialist/surgical specialist/surgical trainer in Ophthalmology. Interventional Glaucoma experience is preferred. 3+ years of previous people management. Proven expertise in surgical procedure training within the medical device, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry. Experience supporting clinical trials and/or investigational medical devices preferred. Ability to travel up to 50%, including international assignments as required. Exceptional communication, facilitation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams and executive leadership. Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Surgical Technology, Biological Sciences, or related field required; advanced clinical or surgical degree preferred. #GKOSUSAbout UsGenerous. Innovative. Leadership-driven. Family-oriented. Socially responsible. Founded in 1998, Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases.Our mission at Glaukos is to truly transform vision by pioneering novel, dropless therapies that can meaningfully advance the standard of care and improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic, sight-threatening eye diseases. Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and we are resolute in our commitment to challenge conventional thinking with new treatment alternatives that are supported by real science, robust clinical evidence, and an unrelenting focus on patients. Our constant pursuit of game-changing technologies that disrupt legacy treatment paradigms is encapsulated in the Glaukos mantra "We'll Go First," which articulates our willingness to take chances, our determination to forge new ground, and our commitment to continuous improvement in all that we do. Our company completed an initial public offering in June of 2015, and our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GKOS". Our global headquarters is in Aliso Viejo, California with additional locations in San Clemente, California, and Burlington, Massachusetts.Glaukos Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.