Senior Manager / Director, Laboratory Operations

Lighthouse Lab Services; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Headspace access

Backup childcare

Maternity/paternity leave

Leadership development

Job summary

Lighthouse Lab Services is seeking a Senior Manager or Director of Laboratory Operations to lead high-volume, high-complexity clinical labs near Daytona Beach, FL. The role focuses on building strong operational teams, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance, and guiding strategic growth of laboratory services.

The ideal leader will develop supervisors, optimize workflows, and partner with stakeholders to deliver reliable, compliant laboratory operations while advancing leadership development

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, or related field.
• Florida Supervisor license in Microbiology is required.
• Medical Technologist certification (ASCP, NCA, AAB, or equivalent) required.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience within a high-volume, high-complexity clinical laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations, including staffing, workflow, quality, and performance metrics.
• Strong understanding of CLIA, CAP, and applicable state and federal laboratory regulations.
• Experience leading and developing supervisors, managers, and frontline laboratory personnel.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance day-to-day operational demands with longer-term strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for multiple areas of high-complexity laboratory operations, ensuring quality, efficiency, and consistent service delivery.
• Lead and develop laboratory supervisors and frontline teams, building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor key operational metrics, including productivity, turnaround times, quality indicators, staffing levels, and overall laboratory performance.
• Evaluate workflows and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, standardization, and operational consistency.
• Ensure laboratory operations remain compliant with all applicable CLIA, CAP, state, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control programs, addressing deficiencies and implementing corrective actions when needed.
• Partner with leadership and key stakeholders to support laboratory service growth, operational planning, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage staffing models and resource allocation to ensure appropriate coverage and effective use of laboratory personnel.
• Identify and develop high-potential employees, establish succession plans, and support leadership development throughout the organization.
• Build strong relationships with internal departments, providers, customers, and other stakeholders to ensure laboratory needs are being met.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of new testing capabilities, processes, and laboratory initiatives, including laboratory-developed testing where applicable.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

CLIA/CAP knowledge

Staff development

Communication

Strategic planning

Operations management

Quality assurance

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field

Florida Supervisor license in Microbiology

Medical Technologist certification (ASCP/NCA/AAB or equivalent)

Job description

Senior Manager / Director, Laboratory Operations

Location:20 miles from Daytona Beach, Florida
Compensation: $100,000–$150,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
Additional Compensation: $10,000 retention bonus and eligibility for a $15,000 annual bonus
Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates

About the Opportunity

Lighthouse Lab Services is partnering with an established healthcare organization to identify an experienced laboratory leader for a Senior Manager / Director of Laboratory Operations opportunity.

This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing high-complexity laboratory operations, developing strong operational teams, maintaining regulatory and quality standards, and supporting the continued growth of laboratory services.

The organization is open to considering candidates at either the Senior Manager or Director level, depending on the depth of their leadership experience and qualifications. Candidates with broader strategic and operational leadership experience may be considered for the Director title, with compensation toward the top of the posted range.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in clinical laboratory operations, experience leading high-volume testing environments, and the ability to develop supervisors and future leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for multiple areas of high-complexity laboratory operations, ensuring quality, efficiency, and consistent service delivery.

• Lead and develop laboratory supervisors and frontline teams, building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Monitor key operational metrics, including productivity, turnaround times, quality indicators, staffing levels, and overall laboratory performance.

• Evaluate workflows and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, standardization, and operational consistency.

• Ensure laboratory operations remain compliant with all applicable CLIA, CAP, state, and other regulatory requirements.

• Oversee quality assurance and quality control programs, addressing deficiencies and implementing corrective actions when needed.

• Partner with leadership and key stakeholders to support laboratory service growth, operational planning, and strategic initiatives.

• Manage staffing models and resource allocation to ensure appropriate coverage and effective use of laboratory personnel.

• Identify and develop high-potential employees, establish succession plans, and support leadership development throughout the organization.

• Build strong relationships with internal departments, providers, customers, and other stakeholders to ensure laboratory needs are being met.

• Support the evaluation and implementation of new testing capabilities, processes, and laboratory initiatives, including laboratory-developed testing where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related scientific field.

• Current Florida Supervisor license in Microbiology is required.

• Medical Technologist certification through ASCP, NCA, AAB, or an equivalent recognized organization is required.

• At least 5 years of leadership experience within a high-volume, high-complexity clinical laboratory environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations, including staffing, workflow, quality, and performance metrics.

• Strong understanding of CLIA, CAP, and applicable state and federal laboratory regulations.

• Experience leading and developing supervisors, managers, and frontline laboratory personnel.

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Ability to balance day-to-day operational demands with longer-term strategic priorities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $100,000–$150,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.

• Retention Bonus: $10,000.

• Annual Bonus: Eligible for an annual bonus opportunity of up to $15,000.

• Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) with employer matching.

• Paid time off, with an option for PTO cash-out.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Access to Headspace.

• Backup childcare and eldercare resources.

• Maternity and paternity leave.

• Leadership development and professional growth opportunities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role within a growing laboratory organization. The position offers the ability to influence operational strategy, develop future laboratory leaders, improve performance across multiple areas, and contribute to the continued growth of laboratory services.

Candidates with the experience to operate at a Director level will have the opportunity to be considered for that title and compensation toward the top of the range.

About Us

At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual