Director Laboratory Operations at Xcene Research

About the job

• The Laboratory Director will lead and manage the daily operations of the organization’s laboratory, ensuring that all testing and analyses adhere to established protocols and quality standards. This role involves overseeing method development, implementing new techniques, and providing training to laboratory staff on best practices and equipment use. The Laboratory Director will be accountable for the lab's financial performance, including managing the Profit and Loss (P&L) to ensure operational efficiency and budget compliance. This position requires a strong focus on quality control, innovation, and leadership to drive both scientific and operational excellence.

Job Description

Planning and Execution

• Contributes to the development of the company’s corporate strategy through insightful analysis and recommendations on all aspects of Medical Lab and Diagnostic Center operations.
• Oversees the planning, administration, and execution of the department's business strategy.
• Manages the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures for Medical Lab and Diagnostic Center operations, aligning with the organization’s corporate strategy, primary goals, standards, and regulations.
• Supervises the creation and management of the annual budget for the Medical Lab and Diagnostic Center functions.
• Promotes a customer-centric culture and high performance throughout Medical Lab and Diagnostic Center services.
• Determines and implements the most efficient and cost-effective support service delivery methods.
• Reviews department reports and provides monthly updates to management.

Business Operations

• Establishes specimen preparation standards, develops analytical procedures, and ensures accurate reporting, aligning with standards for diagnostic and therapeutic information.
• Maintains diagnostic equipment by setting quality standards, creating operational, quality, and troubleshooting protocols, ensuring staff compliance, and coordinating equipment servicing and replacement.
• Optimizes diagnostic center productivity by monitoring workloads, adjusting staffing levels, and balancing peak and low activity periods.
• Manages inventory levels by tracking stock, forecasting needs, placing and expediting orders, and verifying deliveries.
• Implements Quality Management System (QMS) initiatives, oversees quality control and assurance programs, and maintains documentation to ensure quality outcomes.
• Identifies information needs and solutions, revises policies, and trains staff to uphold laboratory information system standards and confidentiality.
• Leads the evaluation and implementation of new programs, methods, equipment, and processes, including pilot testing and progress tracking.
• Ensures operational requirements are met by assigning tasks, scheduling staff, and monitoring job performance.
• Maintains technical knowledge through professional development, attending industry events, and networking.
• Conducts daily rounds to assess resource utilization, staff and supply management, and maintains a professional and ethical work environment.
• Develops departmental budgets for staffing, operational expenses, and capital expenditures.
• Sets and upholds performance standards, ensures staff competency, and secures necessary licenses.
• Manages personnel acquisition through recruitment, vetting, onboarding, and ongoing training.
• Coordinates department in-service training.

Stakeholder Management

Leadership and People Management

• Provides overall leadership and guidance to achieve targets and objectives for Medical Lab and Diagnostic Center functions.
• Supports the delivery of workshops and training courses to build team skills and knowledge.
• Upholds and promotes the company’s core values (Integrity, Teamwork, Equity, Excellence, Innovation, Learning, Adaptability) and fosters a collaborative team culture.
• Manages team performance, facilitates learning and development, provides feedback, and conducts performance appraisals.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine, Health Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• A higher qualification, such as a master’s or Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, Pathology, Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, or a related field, is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant post-graduation experience, with at least five years in a senior laboratory management role.
• Registration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and possession of a current practicing license.
• ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratory QMS) training is advantageous.
• Experience in strengthening diagnostic networks, including areas such as specimen transport, biosafety, supervision, mentorship, and quality assurance.
• Expertise in mycobacteriology laboratory work, solid and liquid culture, and other diagnostic methods.

Skills

• People Management
• Clinical Laboratory Services Knowledge
• Laboratory Data Management
• Diagnostics Expertise
• Integrity and Confidentiality
• Leadership
• Strategic Orientation
• Business Acumen
• Quality Assurance
• Detail Orientation
• Medical Software and Database Proficiency
• Problem-Solving

Competencies

• Accountability
• Business and Industry Knowledge
• Customer Orientation
• Effective Communication
• Commercial Awareness
• Entrepreneurial Orientation
• Innovation and Creativity
• Leadership and People Management
• Operational Efficiency
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Technology Application
• Relationship Management