Director of Laboratory Operations Jobs
Director of Laboratory Operations jobs are open across healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, clinical research organizations, and academic medical centers, at levels from laboratory supervisor to vice president, with specializations in clinical diagnostics, quality assurance, and research operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsLooking for remote work? View remote director of laboratory operations jobs →Overview
Showing 5 of 162+ Director of Laboratory Operations jobs
Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary:
Manages the daily operations of the Surgical Pathology laboratory, including the Histology, Cytology, and Autopsy sections. Plans, coordinates, and integrates anatomic pathology services within the department and with pathologists, surgical and procedural areas, clinics, and other departments throughout the organization to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant specimen processing, diagnostic support, and decedent care.
Responsibilities:
1. Plans, coordinates and integrates department services within the department and with other departments throughout the organization. Interacts with all departments which impact assigned area.
2. Coordinates preparation of departmental budget and financial reports, makes recommendations for capital purchases and provides financial justifications and operational reasoning for proposals. Submits necessary financial information to Director.
3. Leads department supervisory team and assists supervisors in development and implementation of a workplan(s) for assigned areas of responsibility.
4. Evaluates individual staff member performance and provides ongoing coaching/mentoring/counseling as required.
5. Investigates variances, recommends/implements solutions and tracks actions to correct. Communicates necessary changes to Director.
6. Maintains accountability for budgetary resources for assigned area of responsibility. Reviews monthly reports to monitor units, expenses and revenue.
7. Develops and implements policies/procedures that guide and support the provision of services.
8. Acts as a resource for regulatory compliance issues. Develops solutions for corrective action to improve instances of non-compliance.
9. Coordinates, leads and participates in performance improvement activities for assigned area of responsibility.
10. Investigates variances, recommends/implements solutions and tracks actions to correct. Communicates necessary changes to Director
Other Information
Other information:
Education Requirements:
- BS Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, or Biologic Science. A four- year degree is required for Managers of non-testing areas.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
- Medical Technologist (MT) certification by the ASCP Board of Certification. Certification not required for non-testing areas.
Professional Experience Requirements:
- Four to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years of previous management experience.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
- Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write correspondence, which conforms to, prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: Department Of Hospital Labs
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
Qualifications
Primary Location: Chapel Hill, NC, US
Department: UNC Medical Center
Shift: DAY JOB
See All 162+ Director of Laboratory Operations Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsDirector of Laboratory Operations Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Indiana University13
- Medical University of South Carolina12
- Rockefeller University9
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene8
- University Of Washington6
Top Industries Hiring
- Education15
- Healthcare & Medical Services6
- Technology & Software1
- Investment & Asset Management1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of laboratory operations jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or a related field
- ASCP, MLS, or equivalent clinical laboratory certification
- Demonstrated experience managing CLIA-certified or CAP-accredited laboratory operations
- Proficiency with laboratory information systems and quality management software
- Experience leading regulatory inspections and implementing corrective action plans
- Proven ability to manage laboratory budgets, staffing, and vendor relationships
Tips for Your Director of Laboratory Operations Job Search
Quantify lab throughput on your resume
Hiring managers for director of laboratory operations roles want to see output, not duties. Add specifics like sample volumes processed, turnaround time improvements, or regulatory audit outcomes your team achieved. Numbers make your operational impact concrete and immediately comparable.
List your accreditation oversight experience clearly
CAP, CLIA, ISO 15189, and COLA accreditation management are required in most postings. If you have led an inspection or corrective action process, name the accrediting body and outcome directly in your resume rather than burying it under general compliance language.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of laboratory operations openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by lab type, not just title
A director of laboratory operations in a hospital reference lab operates very differently from one in a contract research organization or biotech startup. Search by setting alongside the title so the openings you pursue match the environment where your experience is strongest.
Prepare a staffing and budget scenario for interviews
Panel interviews for director of laboratory operations roles frequently include a situational question about managing staff shortages or defending a capital equipment request. Walk in with a real example from your background that shows how you framed the problem, what you decided, and what changed as a result.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Laboratory operations director roles vary widely in what they actually control. Before accepting, clarify whether capital budgets, test menu decisions, vendor contracts, and hiring authority sit with you or above you. Titles can be identical across organizations while actual authority differs substantially.
Director of Laboratory Operations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of laboratory operationss?
The companies hiring the most director of laboratory operationss right now include Indiana University, Medical University of South Carolina, and Rockefeller University, with the largest share of openings in New York, California, and South Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems, national reference laboratories, and pharmaceutical manufacturers consistently post the highest volume of these roles.
How many director of laboratory operations jobs are remote?
About 33% of director of laboratory operations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most laboratory environments. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility include laboratory consulting, quality systems management, and roles focused on accreditation readiness rather than direct bench or operational oversight.
How do you become a director of laboratory operations?
Start with a degree in medical laboratory science, biochemistry, or a closely related field, then earn clinical certification such as the ASCP credential. Build at least several years of bench or supervisory laboratory experience, then move into operations management roles where you take on staff oversight, budgets, and regulatory accountability. Demonstrating successful accreditation cycles and process improvement projects is what typically distinguishes candidates who advance to the director level.
Can you get hired as a director of laboratory operations without direct director experience?
Yes, but you need to close the gap strategically. Employers often promote laboratory managers or section supervisors who have led accreditation inspections, managed cross-functional teams, or owned a significant budget. If your title has been below director, frame your resume around the director-level responsibilities you have already carried, particularly regulatory oversight, capital planning, and staff development, rather than waiting until the title matches.
What does the director of laboratory operations interview process look like?
Most director of laboratory operations searches involve an initial screening with HR or a talent team, followed by a panel interview with laboratory leadership, medical directors, and sometimes finance or compliance stakeholders. Candidates are typically asked to present on a past operational challenge, a quality improvement initiative, or a staffing scenario. Final rounds often include a site tour and a conversation with the executive to whom the role reports.
Where can I find and apply to director of laboratory operations jobs?
You can find and apply to director of laboratory operations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and experience, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 162+ Director of Laboratory Operations Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs