Operations Director – Environmental Sciences

M42 Health; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UAE is seeking an experienced Operations Director – Environmental Sciences to oversee the operations of CTL Labs and Rasid Lab. This senior role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management with government entities, and a solid understanding of laboratory accreditation standards. Ideal candidates will possess a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, extensive leadership experience, and fluency in Arabic, along with English communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in laboratory operations or environmental sciences.
• Experience managing complex laboratory environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of laboratory accreditation standards and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and governance for CTL Labs and Rasid Lab.
• Ensure operational efficiency, quality, and compliance.
• Manage and align stakeholder expectations with a strong focus on government entities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Quality assurance

Performance improvement

Fluency in Arabic

Professional communication in English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, or related discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Overview

M42 delivers comprehensive healthcare services across the full continuum of care; from primary care to advanced specialty treatments. Leveraging cutting‑edge health technologies and precision medicine, we ensure the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, and patient‑centered outcomes. With a global presence spanning more than 480 facilities in 27 countries and a dedicated workforce of over 20,000 professionals, M42 is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of healthcare on a global scale.

As part of M42’s Integrated Health Solutions platform, Environmental Sciences plays a critical role in exploring the environmental and non‑human factors that impact public health. By combining scientific expertise with advanced analytics, M42’s Environmental Sciences capabilities support national priorities, inform policy, and contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Director – Environmental Sciences to lead and oversee the end‑to‑end operations of CTL Labs and Rasid Lab. This senior leadership role is responsible for operational excellence, regulatory compliance, stakeholder alignment, and strategic growth across both laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and governance for CTL Labs and Rasid Lab, ensuring operational efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee laboratory operations in line with international accreditation standards (e.g., ISO) and local regulatory requirements.
• Lead operational planning, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and turnaround time (TAT).
• Ensure full adherence to quality assurance programs, including EQA and IQA, and maintain laboratory accreditation status.
• Manage and align stakeholder expectations, with a strong focus on government entities and key partners such as QCC.
• Drive service delivery excellence and client satisfaction across all laboratory services.
• Support strategic growth initiatives, including capacity expansion, new testing capabilities, and service diversification.
• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective workforce planning, training, and succession readiness.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and business continuity requirements across all operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Laboratory Sciences, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven senior leadership experience in laboratory operations, environmental sciences, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex laboratory environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management capabilities, particularly in working with government and regulatory entities.
• In‑depth knowledge of laboratory accreditation standards, quality systems, and regulatory frameworks.
• Track record of driving operational excellence, performance improvement, and service delivery outcomes.
• Fluency in Arabic, with strong professional communication skills in English.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and retain high‑performing teams.