Director of Lab Operations

Van Nuys, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 165000 - 200000

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Lighthouse Lab Services has partnered with a premier CRO near Van Nuys CA. Our client runs complex custom research studies for biotech and major diagnostics manufacturers. They help sponsors execute studies that dont fit neatly into standard CRO or clinical lab models and that means our CLIA-certified laboratory must be as adaptable rigorous and fast as their science demands.

What we are Looking for:

We are looking for a Lab Operations Director. This isnt a behind-the-glass compliance position. Its for a leader who thrives at the intersection of execution and strategypart builder part operator and 100% accountable for delivering in a fast-paced CLIA lab environment. Youll be both hands-on and forward-thinking: overseeing day-to-day operations while scaling infrastructure to support increasingly complex diagnostic studies.

What we are Offering:

$165000-$200000/yr salary
Health Care Plan (Medical Dental & Vision)
Retirement Plan (401k IRA)
Life Insurance (Basic Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Vacation Sick & Public Holidays)

You Will

Lead CLIA laboratory operations across multiple active protocols owning daily execution staff oversight sample flow timelines and documentation.
Partner closely with Clinical PMs to align lab capacity with study timelines and forecast operational needs.
Direct and mentor lab staff creating accountability supporting training and fostering a culture of quality and agility.
Design and refine systems for inventory sample chain-of-custody throughput and documentationcreating new processes where needed.
Coordinate vendor relationships for kit components supplies and logistics to unblock execution.
Maintain regulatory excellence (CLIA CAP GCP) ensuring the lab remains audit-ready while staying nimble.
Continuously improve SOPs workflows and infrastructure to support current studies and scale to future demand.

Who Thrives in This Role

Youre a CLIA lab leader who builds trust through action. Youre just as comfortable writing SOPs as you are explaining throughput to executives or coaching a new technician through a tricky protocol. You thrive in high-change low-bureaucracy environments and know how to prioritize when everythings urgent.

You enjoy:

Owning performance end to end from delivery to documentation
Building and scaling workflows that withstand pressure
Coaching lab staff while holding high standards
Translating ambiguity into action plans

Requirements

710 years in clinical lab operationsideally in a CRO diagnostics or regulated IVD environment with strong CLIA lab experience
California Clinical Lab Scientist License CLS
Proven ability to lead and grow lab teams in high-throughput or sponsor-driven settings
Deep working knowledge of CLIA regulations along with CAP GCP and inspection readiness
Excellent communicator who can bridge lab staff PMs QA and executive teams
Process-oriented and tech-comfortable (LIMS ELN or equivalent systems)
Experience with assay launches protocol onboarding and/or diagnostic development is a big plus

The Reality

Small team. Big responsibility. High autonomy. Huge impact.

This isnt for everyone but if you want to build something meaningful at exactly the moment its scaling this may be the most rewarding role youll ever take.

This role is based on-site at our CLIA-certified laboratory in Van Nuys CA. (Well help with relocation or transitional stays.)

About Us:

At Lighthouse Lab Services we offer solutions to help start grow and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 20 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.
It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age color national origin citizenship status physical or mental disability race religion creed gender sex sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression genetic information marital status status with regard to public assistance veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local addition Lighthouse Lab Services will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Lighthouse Lab Services

#LLS3

Required Experience:

Director