Head of Lab Services

NMC Healthcare; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

NMC Healthcare seeks a senior leader to spearhead the strategic development and execution of laboratory services across the UAE, Oman and Qatar. The role will centralize lab operations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality, aligning laboratory activities with broader clinical goals and patient outcomes.

You will design a central reference laboratory, establish KPIs, ensure quality and regulatory compliance, and collaborate with Corporate Leadership, Medical Directors

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in clinical laboratory settings.
• 5–7 years in a leadership role overseeing multiple laboratory units, preferably in a multi‑hospital setting.
• Healthcare industry leadership with experience in strategic planning and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Craft and implement a centralization and standardization strategy for laboratory services.
• Lead the development of a central reference laboratory.
• Align lab strategies with UAE regional healthcare needs and trends.
• Define KPIs and monitor performance across laboratories and specialties.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards and quality control.
• Collaborate with Corporate Leadership and Medical Directors to drive financial sustainability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Operational excellence

Regulatory compliance

Quality assurance

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Lab operations management

Education

Clinical Pathology (post-graduate)

Bachelor’s in business administration / healthcare management / finance

Master’s degree (considered)

Job description

The role will spearhead the strategic development and execution of laboratory services across the NMC Group in UAE, Oman and Qatar. The role demands a proactive approach to centralize laboratory services within each region to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality. This role is instrumental in aligning laboratory services with the broader clinical goals, focusing on clinical outcomes, patient experiences, and turnaround times. The laboratory services should support the NMC vision of integrated care and thrive to provide services throughout the continuum of care.

Strategic Leadership and Operational Excellence:

Craft and implement a visionary strategy for the centralization and standardization of laboratory services, ensuring alignment with the NMC’s overall clinical strategy. Lead the development and establishment of a central reference laboratory, enabling a unified and efficient testing process that supports the entire NMC group. Assess and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape in the UAE, ensuring our lab services are responsive to regional healthcare needs and trends. Collaborate with key stakeholders both external and internal, including Corporate Leadership, Business General Managers, Regional SVPs and Medical Directors to design and implement programs and services to address the needs of the clinical services for NMC.and efficiency. Ensure that high quality and standard is maintained for the day-to-day services. Develop and define key performance indicators for the performance of the physicians including all specialties within the laboratory services.

Quality Control and Business Growth:

Uphold stringent quality control measures and ensure adherence to all regulatory and accreditation standards. Drive financial sustainability by optimizing cost structures and identifying revenue-enhancing opportunities. Implement and monitor quality assurance programs to continually enhance laboratory accuracy and reliability. Stay abreast of advancements in laboratory medicine, incorporating best practices and technological innovations.

Stakeholder engagement and reporting:

Engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including the Group Chief Clinical Officer, to ensure laboratory strategies are cohesive and support overall clinical objectives. Report regularly on laboratory performance metrics, challenges, and strategic initiatives. Ensure all KPI’s are measured and accurately reported, Engage all laboratory staff and perform an annual assessment of their performance.

Education and Certification

Post graduation in Clinical Pathology or a related medical field. Bachelor's degree in business administration, healthcare management, finance/accounting, or a related field. A Master's degree with extensive experience may also be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution, financial management, and operational improvement in laboratory services. Proven ability to lead and inspire a team in a complex, fast-paced environment. Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and compliance frameworks. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and implement effective solutions. Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and needs in a dynamic healthcare environment. High proficiency in written and spoken English. Ability to effectively operate in a fast paced, multi-cultural, multi-stakeholder large corporate environment. Healthcare industry experience is essential.

Experience

Minimum of 15 years of experience in clinical laboratory settings, with a deep understanding of laboratory operations and management. At least 5-7 years in a leadership role overseeing multiple laboratory units, preferably in a multi-hospital setting.