Director, Laboratory Support Operations

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

VML Support Operations

Job Summary:

The Director of Laboratory Support Operations is a senior operational leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and continuously improving the non-clinical infrastructure that supports Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories. This position provides leadership across a broad portfolio of operational disciplines including Materials Management, Facilities, Project Management Office (PMO), Security, Housekeeping, Specimen Management, Pathology Support Services, Middleware Support, Reference Laboratory Send-Out Operations, and other critical support functions.
This is not a clinical laboratory position. Success in this role requires a highly versatile leader who thrives in a dynamic environment where no two days are alike. One day may involve coordinating facility renovations and determining MEP requirements for new laboratory instrumentation. The next may require troubleshooting technology platforms, managing a complex construction project, resolving operational disruptions, or leading an enterprise-wide initiative affecting multiple laboratory departments.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with a strong background in project management, facilities and construction, technology, operations, and organizational leadership. Most importantly, this leader possesses a "can figure it out" mentality and a passion for overcoming obstacles in support of exceptional patient care and laboratory service.

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Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for laboratory support operations across multiple locations.
• Direct and coordinate activities related to Materials Management, Facilities, Security, Housekeeping, Specimen Management, Middleware Support, Pathology Support Services, and Reference Laboratory Send-Out Operations.
• Develop operational strategies that enhance efficiency, reliability, quality, and service throughout the organization.
• Build strong partnerships with laboratory, hospital, administrative, and vendor stakeholders.

Project and Program Management

• Lead large-scale operational, facility, technology, and process improvement initiatives across Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects involving construction, laboratory expansion, equipment implementation, workflow redesign, and system integration.
• Establish project governance, timelines, budgets, risk mitigation plans, and accountability structures.
• Oversee PMO functions and ensure projects align with organizational priorities and strategic goals.

Facilities and Infrastructure

• Partner with architects, engineers, contractors, and facilities teams on laboratory construction and renovation projects.
• Evaluate facility requirements for new laboratory equipment, including power, HVAC, plumbing, structural, and other MEP considerations.
• Coordinate maintenance, space planning, security, housekeeping, and infrastructure improvement activities.
• Serve as an operational leader during facility-related incidents, disruptions, and emergencies.

Technology and Systems Support

• Provide leadership for middleware platforms and other operational technologies supporting laboratory workflows.
• Collaborate with Information Technology teams to implement, support, and optimize systems.
• Troubleshoot operational and technology issues that impact laboratory performance.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve visibility, efficiency, communication, and automation.

Supply Chain and Materials Management

• Oversee procurement, inventory management, warehousing, logistics, and distribution functions supporting laboratory operations.
• Ensure effective inventory controls and continuity of supply for laboratory operations.
• Monitor vendor performance and lead operational improvement initiatives with suppliers and service partners.

Team Development

• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of managers, supervisors, and individual contributors.
• Foster a culture of ownership, innovation, accountability, and customer service.
• Identify organizational needs and develop succession planning strategies for key operational functions.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets and capital plans.
• Evaluate operational performance using data, metrics, and key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for cost containment, process improvement, and operational optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Operations Management, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations, facilities, project management, technology, healthcare support services, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects.
• Strong knowledge of facilities operations, construction, project management, technology implementations, or operational infrastructure.
• Proven ability to lead teams through change and organizational growth.
• Outstanding communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Healthcare, laboratory, academic medical center, or regulated industry experience.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma, CAPM, CM-Lean, or similar.
• Experience managing construction projects, laboratory expansions, or major technology implementations.
• Knowledge of healthcare facility infrastructure, laboratory workflows, and operational support systems.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The successful Director of Laboratory Support Operations is curious, resourceful, and relentless in solving problems. They are equally comfortable discussing construction drawings with engineers, developing project plans with executives, troubleshooting operational technology, negotiating with vendors, and helping frontline teams overcome daily challenges.

They do not wait for someone else to provide the answer. They figure it out.

This position is ideal for a leader who enjoys building, improving, fixing, innovating, and driving complex operational initiatives that enable Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories to deliver exceptional service every day.

Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more.

At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

Core Accountabilities:

* Organizational Impact: Implements strategies for a sub function with direct impact to the function results.* Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Resolves highly complex business issues that are often unprecedented that have immediate impact on own sub-function or entity and wider implications to the organization. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies expertise within professional/technical area and uses advanced business knowledge to develop objectives.* Team Interaction: Leads a sub-function serving the organization at large or across one or more entity(s).

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Acts upon constructive feedback from all levels of the organization and initiates strategies to develop talent in others. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Leverages relationships and insight to forecast potential future needs and influence delivery of work to exceed expectations. - Communicates Effectively: Anticipates difference audience concerns, styles and finds mutually beneficial solutions across conflicting and sensitive issues. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of broad-based issues and considers the interests of others to improve satisfaction of services. - Solves Complex Problems: Critically evaluates complex information and identifies trends/risks to make recommendations to improve processes across areas. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing feedback and development discussions to motivate and support team members to maximize performance. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Anticipates problems or obstacles which may interfere with quality standards and develops plants to ensure area's quality standards are met. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Routinely draws upon valuable learning from others, past experiences, and new information to determine key opportunities. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Develops appropriate corrective actions for unsafe environments in order to ensure operational and safety compliance. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Identifies potential obstacles to goal achievement and develops solutions to address those obstacles. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Creates the appropriate systems and processes to effectively manage resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Applies in-depth knowledge of data to recommend and implement new approaches to improve decision making capabilities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Identifies opportunities and leads development of new initiatives that create value across areas. - Applies Technology: Creates the energy and drive for self/others to identify and leverage technology in new, innovative ways to drive greater efficiencies. - Adapts to Change: Anticipates the change process and clearly communicates impact on others/own team(s), assisting them in embracing the change.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level:

7 years

Education:

Bachelor's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.