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Clia Lab Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CLIA Lab Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

CLIA Lab Director role We're hiring a Lab Director to join our team in San Francisco to lead the buildout and operation of Valius's first clinical laboratory. This is a foundational role at a company ...

CLIA Lab Director certification or eligibility. * Minimum one year of residency completion. * Strong understanding of FDA Title 21 CFR compliance and cGMP standards. * Experience supervising medical ...

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Clia Lab Director information

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$45K

$126.1K

$186K

How much do clia lab director jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for clia lab director in the United States is $126,086.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $138,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a CLIA Lab Director job?

A CLIA Lab Director is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations and ensuring compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. They manage lab personnel, establish quality control procedures, and ensure accurate and reliable test results. The director must meet CLIA qualifications, which vary based on the lab’s complexity. Their role is critical in maintaining lab accreditation and patient safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Clia Lab Director position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CLIA Lab Director, you need a strong background in laboratory science, leadership experience, and qualifications such as a doctoral degree (MD, DO, or PhD) with appropriate board certification. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), regulatory compliance tools, and proficiency in CLIA regulations are crucial. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and team management skills set top candidates apart. These abilities are essential for ensuring accurate testing, maintaining regulatory compliance, and fostering a collaborative and efficient laboratory environment.

What are the main responsibilities of a CLIA Lab Director on a day-to-day basis?

A CLIA Lab Director oversees all aspects of laboratory operations, including ensuring compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards, reviewing and validating test results, and managing quality assurance processes. They supervise laboratory staff, develop and implement policies and procedures, and collaborate with healthcare providers to support diagnostic needs. Directors are also responsible for staff training, equipment maintenance oversight, and responding to regulatory audits. This dynamic role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on involvement to maintain high standards in laboratory practice.
What cities are hiring for Clia Lab Director jobs? Cities with the most Clia Lab Director job openings:
What states have the most Clia Lab Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Clia Lab Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Clia Lab Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 62% Physical, 13% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,086 per year, or $60.6 per hour.

CLIA Lab Director

Valius Sciences

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Valius overview
Valius is building the next generation of precision oncology, helping cancer patients and their physicians make more informed treatment decisions through comprehensive molecular testing and rigorous scientific analysis. In our first nine months, we've worked with close to 50 patients, identifying plausible therapeutic targets in the vast majority of cases. We've just raised a $10M seed round, led by 8VC and Basis Set Ventures, and are looking for folks passionate about changing cancer care to join our growing team.
CLIA Lab Director role
We're hiring a Lab Director to join our team in San Francisco to lead the buildout and operation of Valius's first clinical laboratory. This is a foundational role at a company at the intersection of cancer biology, multi-omic profiling, and precision medicine. You'll own the design, accreditation, and day-to-day operations of our CLIA/CAP-certified lab, establishing the infrastructure that will enable delivery of high-complexity molecular diagnostics directly to our cancer patients and their care teams. This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up in a mission-driven environment.
This is an in-person role in either San Francisco or Boston.
What you'll do
Lab design and buildout
  • Lead the end-to-end design, buildout, and commissioning of Valius's CLIA laboratory, from physical space planning through instrument installation and workflow validation
  • Define lab infrastructure requirements including equipment, consumables, LIMS, and workflow automation to support clinical-grade reproducibility and scale
  • Establish and document standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality management systems (QMS), and training programs from the ground up

Accreditation and compliance
  • Prepare and manage all aspects of laboratory accreditation, including CAP inspection readiness, CLIA certification, and New York State approval
  • Serve as the CLIA Laboratory Director of record, taking responsibility for all aspects of laboratory compliance across pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases

Laboratory operations
  • Direct day-to-day clinical lab operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant processing of patient samples and reporting of results
  • Oversee implementation and validation of complex molecular assays, including 10x Genomics next-generation single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing
  • Manage technical transfer of assays from R&D into clinical operations
  • Implement metrics for assay performance, turnaround time, and quality

Team and cross-functional leadership
  • Recruit, train, and lead a team of clinical laboratory scientists, supervisors, and technologists; conduct competency assessments in line with CLIA requirements
  • Collaborate closely with computational biologists and translational scientists to integrate lab outputs into patient-facing reports
  • Partner with bioinformatics and operations teams to ensure data integrity and compliant reporting of high-complexity results
  • Contribute to scientific and operational strategy as a senior leader within Valius

What you'll bring
  • Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or MD/PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline (molecular biology, genomics, clinical laboratory science, or related field)
  • Eligibility to serve as a High-Complexity Laboratory Director under CLIA regulations (HCLD board certification, or an MD/PhD with the required training and experience per 42 CFR Part 493)
  • Minimum 8-10 years of experience in clinical laboratory operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role overseeing a CAP/CLIA-certified laboratory
  • Proven track record of successfully establishing or scaling a clinical lab
  • Expert-level experience implementing and validating advanced molecular diagnostic assays such as bulk RNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and/or single-cell RNA sequencing using a 10x Genomics platform
  • Deep working knowledge of quality systems, documentation control, and regulatory requirements for LDTs, including SOPs, CAPA processes, and proficiency testing programs
  • Experience with LIMS platforms, electronic quality management systems (eQMS), and workflow automation in a high-complexity testing environment
  • Strong ability to recruit, develop, and retain scientific staff
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex laboratory data into clear, actionable information for clinical, scientific, and executive stakeholders
  • Commitment to our patient-focused mission
  • Interest in working for a small, early-stage startup

What we'll bring
  • Competitive salary and equity compensation
  • Generous refresh grants
  • Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, 401(k))
  • Genuine investment in your professional development
  • Fun, mission-driven team culture