Senior Director, Laboratory Operations Management

Location: Atlanta, GA
Job Type: Full-Time
Travel: Approximately 25%
Salary:$183,700 – $270,100 annually


Position Overview


We are seeking an experienced Senior Director, Laboratory Operations Management to provide strategic and operational leadership across clinical laboratory services.


This senior leadership position will oversee multiple laboratory units and departments, drive operational excellence, support quality and patient safety, and lead initiatives focused on regulatory compliance, accreditation, workforce development, and continuous improvement.


The ideal leader will have experience managing large-scale laboratory operations, developing other leaders, and partnering with clinical, operational, and executive stakeholders.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple laboratory departments and operational functions.
• Develop and mentor leaders and high-potential employees while building a highly skilled and engaged workforce.
• Translate organizational strategy into actionable laboratory business plans and operational objectives.
• Manage resources, budgets, staffing, and operational priorities to achieve business goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and subject-matter expert to executive leadership.
• Oversee laboratory quality, safety, compliance, regulatory, and accreditation programs.
• Manage CAP/CLIA accreditation requirements and ensure ongoing regulatory readiness.
• Maintain laboratory testing and training standards, including employee competency programs.
• Guide continuous improvement, process optimization, cost effectiveness, and operational excellence.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory testing methodologies, processes, and technologies.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and corrective/preventive action programs.
• Oversee proficiency testing and help resolve laboratory quality concerns.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders on laboratory operations and quality initiatives.
• Build relationships with public health organizations, healthcare providers, vendors, and other strategic partners.
• Support local, regional, and national laboratory initiatives.
• Ensure timely and accurate laboratory reporting.
• Maintain competency in laboratory testing and perform bench work as appropriate.
• Drive strategies that improve patient safety, service quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Healthcare, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master's degree preferred/targeted in Healthcare, Operations, Laboratory Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience with direct reports in a healthcare-related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience managing operational or project budgets.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in medical technology, clinical laboratory sciences, or a healthcare-related field with a qualifying bachelor's degree, or 15 years of relevant experience.
• Strong experience leading laboratory operations and developing other leaders.
• Experience with CAP/CLIA accreditation management.
• Clinical laboratory bench work competency.
• Experience with laboratory quality, compliance, and regulatory standards.
• Experience with proficiency testing and laboratory testing methodologies.
• Strong operational, strategic, and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred Leadership Profile


The ideal candidate will bring:

• 8+ years of leadership experience
• Experience leading other laboratory leaders/managers
• Experience working within a large healthcare enterprise
• Strong clinical laboratory operations background
• Experience managing credentialed laboratory professionals
• Experience with national laboratory coordination initiatives
• Experience collaborating with public health agencies
• Strong background in quality improvement, compliance, and operational excellence

Key Skills

• Laboratory Operations Management
• Clinical Laboratory Leadership
• CAP/CLIA Accreditation
• Regulatory & Compliance Management
• Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement
• Operational Excellence
• Process Improvement
• Cost Optimization
• Budget Management
• Workforce & Talent Development
• Stakeholder Management
• Laboratory Testing Methodologies
• Proficiency Testing
• Patient Safety
• Strategic Planning

Relocation assistance: Available for eligible candidates.


This is an opportunity to join a large healthcare organization in a senior laboratory leadership role with responsibility for strategic operations, quality, compliance, workforce development, and organizational improvement.