Laboratory Services Director

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the United Kingdom seeks a strategic Laboratory Services Director to oversee the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory. This position involves managing operational delivery, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with key service metrics. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and experience in financial oversight. The role offers comprehensive support for work-life balance, development opportunities, and various employee benefits, enhancing the working environment for all staff.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Subsidized bus travel

Flexible working arrangements

Access to hot food 24/7

Dedicated break spaces

Qualifications

• Experience in leading laboratory services within a healthcare context.
• Proven track record in operational and financial management of clinical services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory.
• Ensure compliance with service KPIs and maintain relationships with service users.
• Collaborate with research partners and support service development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Financial management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About the role

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is recruiting an experienced, strategic Laboratory Services Director to lead the operational delivery of the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory – the lead laboratory for the East Genomic Medicine Service (GMS). The East GMS supports genomic testing and laboratory services for 29 NHS Trusts across the East Midlands and the East of England, underpinning patient care at scale and enabling the next generation of precision medicine.

Reporting to the East GMS Director of Operations, you will work as part of a multidisciplinary senior leadership team covering clinical engagement, growth and capacity management, operational delivery, data and digital, and wider corporate functions. The remit extends beyond day‑to‑day management: you will collaborate closely with research and innovation partners and manage a dedicated service development team to implement change, embed new ways of working and support continuous improvement in a fast‑moving and highly strategic environment.

The post holder will be responsible for the operational management of the Cambridge University Hospitals Genomics Laboratory, the lead laboratory of the East Genomic Medicine Service. The postholder will manage the overall delivery and development of the NHS clinical testing services for cancer, haematology‑oncology, rare disease and population health. The postholder will ensure that all service and operational KPIs are met and close relationships with service users are maintained. The post holder will have a key role in working with the GMS Director of Operations and GMS Clinical Director to develop the strategic direction of the service. The post holder will have budget authority for the service and work with the GMS Director of Operations to monitor the financial performance of the laboratory. The postholder will have oversight over contracted testing services across the East GMS region. Operational management of these services will remain with the host organisation and not be part of the postholder’s responsibility. In addition, the post holder will provide leadership and expert management advice and will interact and liaise with a wide range of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, including Consultants and other Clinicians, Clinical Scientists, technologists, and other healthcare providers and managers. To fulfil this role effectively, the post holder will be required to maintain a complete understanding of the delivery of genomic laboratory services.

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Visa requirements

• Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full‑time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa.
• Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full‑time permanent contract unless you have:
  • applied for a Graduate visa
  • or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
  • or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. We recently launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Application details

This vacancy will close at midnight on the 1st February 2026. Interviews are due to be held on 9th February 2026.

This advert closes on Sunday 1 Feb 2026.