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Vice President Lab Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL

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VP of Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$186K - $225K/yr

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Job Details Summary: The Vice President of Operations is responsible for leading, directing, and overseeing the operational capabilities and output of all multi-state ...

Kairos Living LLC

VP, Central Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

Success is measured by the VP's ability to reduce operational leakage, strengthen vendor accountability, improve service levels and handoffs, and build a Central Operations function that scales with ...

AKIRA

VP, Retail Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $205K/yr

AKIRA VP, RETAIL OPERATIONS In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 40+ stores across the United States ...

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Vice President Lab Operations information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$70.6K

$160.5K

$272K

How much do vice president lab operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president lab operations in Chicago, IL is $160,476.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,000.00 and $190,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vice president lab operations?

A Vice President of Lab Operations oversees the strategic and operational aspects of a laboratory or multiple lab locations. They ensure efficiency, regulatory compliance, and quality control while managing budgets, personnel, and technological advancements. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration with other executives, and a focus on optimizing lab performance to support business objectives.

What are the main responsibilities of a vice president lab operations?

As a Vice President Lab Operations, your daily responsibilities typically include overseeing all laboratory activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing operational budgets. You will collaborate closely with scientific, technical, and administrative teams to implement process improvements and drive innovation in lab practices. Additionally, you are responsible for mentoring senior lab staff, handling resource allocation, and addressing any operational challenges that arise. This role often involves strategic planning and regular communication with executive leadership to align lab objectives with broader company goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vice president lab operations?

A Vice President Lab Operations should have extensive experience in laboratory management, strong leadership abilities, and a relevant advanced degree such as an MS or PhD in a scientific discipline. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), quality assurance protocols, and regulatory compliance frameworks like CLIA or CAP is crucial. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills enable effective leadership and collaboration across departments. These competencies ensure the seamless operation of lab functions, regulatory compliance, and achievement of organizational goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Lab Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Vice President Lab Operations jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Vice President Lab Operations job openings:
Vice President Lab Operations jobs near you

Director Lab Operations - Americas

UL Solutions

Northbrook, IL • On-site

$176K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

UL Solutions rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 120 rated laboratories

Job description


The location is flexible to our labs in the Americas - Northbrook, RTP in Raleigh, NC, Querétaro, Mexico, Fremont, CA
The Director Lab Operations - Americas leads and drives integrated laboratories across United States and Latin America to deliver excellent and efficient service, meeting internal and external customer needs and expectations. The role focuses on achieving goals for cost, productivity, quality, safety, and customer/employee satisfaction. This position collaborates with segments, Customer Operating Units (COUs), and regional leadership on forecasting, prioritization, and planning for capacity and capability, ensuring stability and optimal utilization of regional lab operations. The Director is responsible for implementing productivity improvements, overseeing operating plans, lab footprint, goals, and budgets, and ensuring compliance with quality and accreditation standards.
Responsibilities
  • Execute operational strategy for workload balancing and project completion using resources across regional labs.
  • Develop and implement plans for future lab footprint and capabilities in collaboration with Strategic Development, Project Management, and other stakeholders.
  • Align laboratory goals with COUs to drive excellent customer experience.
  • Ensure optimal utilization of laboratory assets (people, equipment, space) to meet/exceed customer expectations.
  • Collaborate with TIC and regional leadership to support future strategies and ensure Lab Operations can deliver accordingly.
  • Lead operational consistency and best practice implementation for high performance and compliance.
  • Drive adoption of automation tools (Labware, Magnesis) and ensure their utilization at all lab levels.
  • Partner with Quality & Business Support, Process Excellence & Transformation, Innovation & Technology, and Business Alignment to improve lab quality and operations.
  • Maintain strong relationships across the organization to achieve high execution, throughput, and operational success.
  • Promote a high-performance environment and culture, managing performance and development of managers and team members.
  • Drive employee engagement and satisfaction throughout laboratory operations in the region.
  • Implement Lean Sigma initiatives to eliminate waste and improve cost-effectiveness.
  • Reduce operational costs annually through process efficiencies and resource utilization.
  • Support COUs in achieving revenue targets through timely, high-quality lab services.
  • Maintain lab operations within approved budget limits while ensuring service excellence.
  • Improve ROI on lab equipment and infrastructure investments.
  • Optimize lab footprint to reduce overhead and increase asset utilization.
  • Ensure ongoing quality compliance and improvements, maintaining lab accreditations.
  • Drive an integrated Lean Sigma culture for continuous improvement.
  • Partner with EHS and local teams to drive the highest level of safety standard compliance.
  • Develop and coach team members, provide training, career counseling, feedback, and guidance.
  • Provide updates to the board upon request.
  • Build relationships and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Report to VP Lab Operations.
  • Directly manages reports based on span of control requirements.
  • Performs other duties as directed.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of professional experience, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
  • Experience working with diverse, global teams.
  • Experience managing and delivering impactful communications to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.
  • Ability to inspire, motivate, and influence behaviors to drive change.
  • Demonstrated adaptability to rapidly changing priorities.
  • Strong analytical mindset.
  • Ability to drive standardization and reduce variation in technical environments.
    Skills Required:
  • Leadership: Motivate and inspire teams to achieve common goals; manage performance and development.
  • Business Acumen: Understand industry trends, policies, and competition; align strategies with market needs.
  • Global Growth Mindset: Align enterprise-wide initiatives with local needs; leverage global team perspectives.
  • Analytical & Problem Solving: Use rigorous logic and methods to solve complex problems; drive standardization.
  • Project Management: Develop and implement plans for lab operations, including resource allocation and budgeting.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Build credible relationships across functions; communicate effectively with stakeholders.
  • Change Management: Drive change through strong communication, active listening, and strategic thinking.
  • Integrity & Trust: Demonstrate honesty, reliability, and ethical behavior.
    Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $176,000 to $235,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 30% of the base salary and a 30% RSU grant. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (20 days), holidays including 3 floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours).

#LI-WM #LI-HYBRID
About Us
A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers' product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers' products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.
About the Team
Our global network of 80+ laboratories is constantly evolving, because the world around us is always changing. We embrace this - we invest in improving our equipment and our skills so we're one step ahead of the market. One day we could be setting up a burn test and the next, simulating a tornado. And because we're always evolving, your career will evolve alongside us, whether you're working on brand new technology or connecting with experts around the globe. Join our team, drive the growth of our organization and deliver real change - in a changing world.

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