Senior Director, Laboratory Operations

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Director, Laboratory Operations is responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of operations in order to provide the highest quality service including: clinical laboratory and laboratory operations. Knowledge of CAP, CLIA, California, and New York state regulations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop policies, procedures, and performance standards to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Ensure efficient and customer-friendly service.
• Oversee all clinical and technical functions of laboratory, which includes: day-to-day production, equipment and reagent qualification, and training.
• Lead trouble-shooting teams to address urgent issues.
• Ensure that operations maintain all personnel, equipment and consumable resources necessary to match the demand and projections.
• Maintain and expand laboratory infrastructure, including personnel, equipment, and inventory.
• Ensure efficient and effective use of resources and personnel within laboratory.
• Lead process improvements throughout the laboratory.
• Operationalize and implement new product launches.
• Maintain the resources required for effective turnaround times for all patient testing.
• Organize training and development programs for laboratory and support staff.
• Work with senior leadership to execute on short and long-term strategy. 
• Recruit, retain, train, and develop employees and conduct performance management activities. Develop a team-oriented culture within and between departments.
• This role works with PHI on a regular basis both in paper and electronic form and have an access to various technologies to access PHI (paper and electronic) in order to perform the job.
• Employee must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training and security training as soon as possible but not later than the first 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain a current status on Natera training requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA (or equivalent) in a biological science, similar field of study, or equivalent.  MS is preferred.
• California licensed Clinical Lab Scientist or CGMBS preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in laboratory administration or related field.
• 5+ years of management & leadership experience
• 5+ years of high-complexity-testing, high volume lab operations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Lean Six Sigma experience; Black Belt certified is a plus.
• GLP, GMP, or FDA experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with clinical and/or public health laboratory laws.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve operational improvement leading to quality and/or efficiency improvements.
• Experience in troubleshooting, process improvement, and workflow analysis.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills.
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be proficient with excel or other data analysis tools

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Delegation: Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Managing People: Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.