Director, Laboratory Operations - Newark

Christiana Care Health System; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 112,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one medical, dental, and vision

Management Incentive Plan (MIP)

403(b) retirement plan

Work/life support programs

Generous paid time off

Job summary

ChristianaCare seeks an accomplished Director of Laboratory Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for CAP-accredited laboratory services. Reporting to the Campus President, this role shapes the future of laboratory operations while building a collaborative, high-performing culture.

The leader will develop others, establish a clear vision, and foster an environment where teams are empowered to excel and innovate across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in medical technology, Medical Laboratory Science or related field.
• MBA or MHA required.
• Experience leading laboratory operations within a large hospital, academic medical center or integrated health system preferred.
• ASCP MLS certification or equivalent sectional certification required.
• Minimum three years of laboratory management or supervisory experience.
• Minimum three years of clinical laboratory bench experience.
• Strong knowledge of clinical and anatomic pathology operations and applicable laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing leaders, managing complex operations and driving performance improvement.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, change leadership and executive-level collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for comprehensive laboratory operations, including clinical laboratory services, inpatient blood collection and laboratory informatics.
• Lead, coach and develop laboratory managers, supervisors, technical specialists, medical laboratory scientists, technicians, phlebotomists, informatics professionals and support teams.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and operational excellence.
• Build strong relationships with physicians, clinical leaders, campus executives and partners across the health system.
• Ensure laboratory quality, safety and regulatory compliance, including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, OSHA and HIPAA requirements.
• Lead laboratory quality assurance, performance improvement and CAP inspection readiness in partnership with system laboratory leaders.
• Drive operational and capital planning, workforce productivity, resource stewardship and performance against budget.
• Advance laboratory stewardship by identifying opportunities to reduce unnecessary testing, improve value and minimize avoidable outsourcing.
• Partner with Finance, Engineering, Planning, Supply Chain and other stakeholders on laboratory initiatives, renovations, technology and equipment projects.
• Help create a consistent, systemwide approach to laboratory policies, practices, vendor relationships and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Change leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical technology/MLS

MBA or MHA

ASCP MLS certification

Job description

Lead the operation. Strengthen the culture. Inspire the people who make exceptional laboratory medicine possible.

ChristianaCare is seeking an accomplished and people-centered Director of Laboratory Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership for our CAP-accredited laboratory services. Reporting to the Campus President, with leadership alignment to the Vice President of Laboratory and Pathology Services and Department Chairperson, this highly visible role will help shape the future of laboratory operations while building an engaged, collaborative and high-performing culture.

We are looking for more than an experienced laboratory leader. We are seeking an inspiring, relationship-driven leader who listens, actively seeks feedback, builds trust and brings people together around a shared vision. The successful candidate will pair strong clinical and operational expertise with the ability to influence across disciplines, develop leaders and create an environment where people feel valued, accountable and empowered to perform at their best.

As Director of Laboratory Operations, you will:

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for comprehensive laboratory operations, including clinical laboratory services, inpatient blood collection and laboratory informatics.
• Lead, coach and develop laboratory managers, supervisors, technical specialists, medical laboratory scientists, technicians, phlebotomists, informatics professionals and support teams.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and operational excellence.
• Build strong relationships with physicians, clinical leaders, campus executives and partners across the health system.
• Ensure laboratory quality, safety and regulatory compliance, including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, OSHA and HIPAA requirements.
• Lead laboratory quality assurance, performance improvement and CAP inspection readiness in partnership with system laboratory leaders.
• Drive operational and capital planning, workforce productivity, resource stewardship and performance against budget.
• Advance laboratory stewardship by identifying opportunities to reduce unnecessary testing, improve value and minimize avoidable outsourcing.
• Partner with Finance, Engineering, Planning, Supply Chain and other stakeholders on laboratory initiatives, renovations, technology and equipment projects.
• Help create a consistent, systemwide approach to laboratory policies, practices, vendor relationships and continuous improvement.

The Leader We're Looking For

You are a leader who understands that exceptional results are achieved through exceptional teams. You bring credibility within laboratory medicine while recognizing that leadership requires more than technical expertise.

You are known for your ability to inspire and influence, build trusted relationships, navigate change and develop others. You communicate openly, invite different perspectives and actively seek feedback. You can establish a clear vision and expectations while creating an environment where leaders and team members are encouraged to contribute, grow and innovate.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in medical technology, Medical Laboratory Science or related field required.
• MBA or MHA required.
• Experience leading laboratory operations within a large hospital, academic medical center or integrated health system is strongly preferred.
• ASCP MLS certification or equivalent sectional certification required.
• Minimum three years of laboratory management or supervisory experience.
• Minimum three years of clinical laboratory bench experience.
• Strong knowledge of clinical and anatomic pathology operations and applicable laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing leaders, managing complex operations and driving performance improvement.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, change leadership and executive-level collaboration skills.

ChristianaCare offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Management Incentive Plan (MIP)
• Retirement plans including 403(b) and defined contribution options
• Work/life support, including backup dependent care and wellness programs
• Generous paid time off and lifestyle benefits

About ChristianaCare

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country's most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, and innovating to make high-quality care more accessible and affordable. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women's health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.

ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work. ChristianaCare is rated by Newsweek as one of the World's Best Hospitals and is continually ranked among the best in the U.S. in national quality and safety ratings.

ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 300 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

#LI-LL

Annual Compensation Range $112,382.40 - $179,816.00This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare's good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Post End Date

Oct 1, 2026

EEO Posting Statement

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/