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Director of Pathology

Preclinical Research | Infectious Disease | Strategic Leadership

On-site – Birmingham, Alabama (Limited Hybrid Considered for Exceptional Candidates)

This is not a “keep the lights on” pathology role.

A well-established, mission-driven preclinical research organization is seeking a Director of Pathology to define, elevate, and scale pathology services within a nationally respected research environment with a strong footprint in infectious disease and antiviral development.

This role sits at the intersection of science, operations, and strategy. It is designed for a board-certified veterinary pathologist who has already proven themselves in a CRO setting and is ready to own an entire pathology function—not inherit someone else’s system.

If you’ve ever looked at your current organization and thought,

“We could do this better… faster… more intelligently,”

this role gives you the authority—and runway—to do exactly that.

Why this role exists

The organization is making significant investments in its preclinical infrastructure, including:

• Expansion of BSL-3 capabilities, including a growing nonhuman primate program
• Increased focus on infectious disease, antiviral, and emerging pathogen research
• Early adoption of digital and AI-assisted pathology, with technology already in place but requiring experienced leadership to guide execution

What’s missing is senior pathology leadership with the credibility to:

• Assess current processes objectively
• Identify operational and scientific gaps
• Develop a practical, CRO-ready strategy
• Lead meaningful change without creating disruption or burnout

That is where this role comes in.

What you would own

As Director of Pathology, you would have end-to-end responsibility for pathology services, including:

Scientific & Operational Leadership

• Serve as the senior pathologist supporting preclinical safety and efficacy studies
• Oversee anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, histology, and necropsy
• Personally review data, interpret findings, and author or oversee CRO-grade pathology reports
• Ensure pathology deliverables meet GLP, FDA, EMA, and ICH expectations

Strategy & Capability Building

• Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of pathology workflows, tools, and capabilities
• Define where pathology should evolve—and where it should not
• Lead the execution of digital pathology and AI-assisted workflows
• Align pathology services with market demand and client needs

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary pathology organization
• Be hands-on early, then scale leadership as the team matures
• Create a culture focused on learning, accountability, and scientific excellence

Client & Business Engagement

• Act as the pathology subject matter expert in select client-facing discussions
• Support business development by translating pathology into meaningful client value
• Participate in audits, site visits, and regulatory inspections as needed
• Partner with internal teams to strengthen how pathology services are positioned and delivered

Who this role is built for

This opportunity is not designed for:

• First-time Directors of Pathology
• Candidates without meaningful CRO pathology experience
• Pathologists unwilling to work in BSL-3 environments
• Individuals seeking a purely individual contributor role

It is designed for someone who brings:

• DVM with DACVP (Anatomic Pathology required)
• Extensive experience writing pathology reports in a CRO environment
• Strong familiarity with GLP preclinical studies
• Comfort operating in BSL-3 research settings
• The ability to lead peers, not just manage tasks
• Eligibility as a U.S. Person due to export control requirements

Experience in clinical pathology, digital pathology, or dual board certification is a plus, but not required.

About the location: Birmingham, Alabama

This role is primarily on-site, and relocation is expected for most candidates.

Birmingham offers:

• A cost of living significantly below national averages
• Strong healthcare and academic institutions
• Family-friendly neighborhoods with short commute times
• A growing food, arts, and outdoor recreation scene

For many senior leaders, Birmingham provides the rare combination of professional impact and personal quality of life.

How to explore this opportunity

This position is being handled as a confidential executive search.

If you are a senior pathology leader who:

• Knows CRO pathology inside and out
• Wants real influence—not just a title
• Is ready to build and shape a high-impact pathology organization

The next step is a confidential conversation.

To learn more, reach out to discuss:

• Role expectations and success metrics
• Hybrid flexibility considerations
• Compensation structure and long-term opportunity
• How this role compares to similar Director-level positions across the CRO landscape

For relocation information: Birmingham Alabama Guide.pdf