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Director Laboratory Operations Jobs in California

A Director of Biobank Laboratory Operations opportunity is available at City of Hope. This is a senior leadership role responsible for providing scientific, operational, and strategic direction for ...

Under the general direction of the Sr. Director, Laboratory Operations, the Laboratory Services Manager is responsible for managing technical and outreach activities related to collection, processing ...

Ensure laboratory operations remain compliant with applicable FDA, cGMP, ICH, USP, and other ... Direct laboratory instrumentation programs including qualification, calibration, maintenance, and ...

Associate Medical Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$283K - $320K/yr

POSITION WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION 1. Reports to Senior Medical Director, Laboratory Services 2. Cooperates with relevant departments (such as Laboratory Operations, QA, and commercial teams) within ...

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Director Laboratory Operations information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the director laboratory operations position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Director Laboratory Operations, you need strong leadership abilities, extensive experience in laboratory management, and an advanced degree in a scientific or technical field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), regulatory compliance standards (such as CLIA, CAP, or ISO), and safety protocols is crucial. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure efficient laboratory operations, regulatory adherence, and effective team leadership in a complex and fast-paced environment.

What is a director laboratory operations?

A Director of Laboratory Operations oversees the daily functions, strategic planning, and overall efficiency of a laboratory. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations, managing budgets, and coordinating staff to maintain high-quality standards. This role often involves optimizing workflows, implementing new technologies, and collaborating with leadership to support research or clinical objectives. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and laboratory management experience are essential for success in this position.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities for someone in a director laboratory operations role?

A Director Laboratory Operations can pursue advancement to executive roles such as Vice President of Laboratory Services, Chief Operating Officer, or even Chief Scientific Officer, depending on the organization’s structure. This role provides valuable leadership experience and exposure to high-level strategy, budgeting, and cross-departmental collaboration. Many directors also expand their expertise by leading larger teams, overseeing multiple laboratory sites, or participating in organizational growth initiatives. Continued professional development and success in this position often open doors to significant influence on company direction and industry innovation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Laboratory Operations jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Director Laboratory Operations jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Director Laboratory Operations jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Laboratory Operations jobs? Cities in California with the most Director Laboratory Operations job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Laboratory Operations job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Director, Laboratory Operations

City of Hope

Duarte, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


City Of Hope rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 89 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today.

A Director of Biobank Laboratory Operations opportunity is available at City of Hope. This is a senior leadership role responsible for providing scientific, operational, and strategic direction for the Henderson Biorepository’s laboratory enterprise across City of Hope. This position partners closely with institutional leaders, researchers, and external collaborators to support biorepository growth, ensure operational scalability, and advance biospecimen‑based research initiatives. The Director plays a key role in business planning, service expansion, integration of biorepository functions, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performance laboratory culture while upholding quality standards and alignment with the Henderson Biorepository’s mission.

As a successful candidate, you will:

Laboratory Operations

  • Provide scientific and operational leadership for Henderson Biorepository laboratory operations, including biospecimen collection and processing, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocol oversight, process validation, quality control, regulatory compliance, and College of American Pathologist (CAP) biobank accreditation efforts.

  • Serve as the laboratory subject matter expert, supporting IRB protocols, integrating biorepository operations across City of Hope, leading capital equipment and automation initiatives, and collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Biospecimen Research and Teaching

  • Partner with the Scientific Director to expand biospecimen research programs, establish external collaborations, support grant funding efforts, and promote Henderson Biorepository services.

  • Contribute to academic and training programs by teaching biospecimen best practices to COH’s graduate students and supporting workforce development.

Budget and Revenue Management

  • Oversee laboratory budgets, expenditures, contracts, service pricing, and vendor agreements to ensure financial stewardship and 100% cost recovery.

  • Ensure appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Master Service Agreements (MSAs), and contractual frameworks are in place to support external partnerships and revenue‑generating services.

Informatics and Data Management

  • Collaborate with Research Informatics and leadership to ensure accurate biospecimen data management within LabVantage and other laboratory information systems.

  • Maintain high standards of data integrity and documentation to support research quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.

People Leadership and Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing laboratory team, promoting collaboration, technical excellence, and professional growth.

  • Support staff training across a broad range of biospecimen collection, processing, and preservation techniques.

Your qualifications should include:

  • PhD degree in biology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology or a related discipline.

  • 7+ years of hands-on industry or academia experience with collecting and processing human whole blood, histology tissue processing, organoid preparation, nuclei acid extraction, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation and cryopreservation, aseptic technique, and automated cell and liquid processing platforms.

  • 5 years of experience at a managerial level.

Required certification/licensure:

  • IATA certification (within 6 months of hire)

Preferred qualifications:

  • Familiarity with GLP guidelines and CLIA certification

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.


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About City of Hope

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hopes specialized cancer expertise. City of Hope is ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Duarte, CA, US

Year founded

1913