Stephen Williams

About Stephen Williams

I am a clinical research leader with extensive experience building, stabilizing, and scaling research operations across neurological and multispecialty programs. I am currently back at Legacy Brain and Spine, supporting ongoing clinical studies and registry management in a consulting capacity while partnering with leadership on strategic and operational priorities. During my first four years at Legacy, I served as Director of Clinical Research, overseeing trial execution, regulatory compliance, investigator collaboration, and site performance, including device trials and surgical studies conducted in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) environment.After Legacy, I was hired as Site Director for Flourish Research in Orlando, Florida, where the site managed 47 clinical trials in various stages of engagement. I stabilized recruiting and marketing operations and increased weekly pre-screen volume from 2–4 to 44–50 through process redesign and performance metrics. Planned initiatives included streamlining coordinator workflows, refining eligibility review, leveraging AI-enabled tools to reduce manual chart review, cross-training staff, and improving quality oversight. I exited this role due to a family illness requiring relocation.I have also held leadership and consulting roles with NuDirections Clinical Research and Drug Studies America, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I helped restore operational stability and maintain research continuity. Across my career, I have worked across all phases of clinical research (Phase I–IV), with experience in feasibility, start-up, budgeting, recruitment, regulatory oversight, inspections, audits, closeout, SOP development, and staff training.Earlier, I served as Site Director and Clinical Operations Manager at Panda Neurology / Atlanta Headache Specialists (CIRCA), helping grow the research portfolio from four to 24 trials and supporting an FDA audit with zero 483 findings.I began my career at Clayton Eye Center, progressing from Study Assistant to Assistant to the Director of Research over seven years, contributing to a program exceeding $2 million in annual research revenue and expansion of Phase I trials.My leadership style is transformational and trust-based, focused on partnership rather than fear-based management. I apply EOS principles and transactional analysis to align people, process, and priorities—enabling teams to perform effectively under growth-related pressure while meeting organizational goals.

Experience

1. Clinical Research Director - Flourish - Orlando

   Flourish Research

   Jan 2025 — Present · Winter Park, FL, US

Education

• Georgia State University

  Biology, Molecular Biology

  2005 — 2009

• Tusculum University

  Biology

  1995 — 1997

• Ashford University

  Seeking Masters in Psychology, Psychology

  2020

• Walters State Community College

  Associate of Science (A.S.), Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  1997 — 2000