Vice President Digital Pathology

Caris Life Sciences; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Caris Life Sciences seeks an accomplished executive to lead Digital Pathology, overseeing the strategy, operations, and innovation across the organization. This role drives AI-enabled pathology initiatives, data governance, and collaborations with IT, data science, and regulatory affairs to advance precision medicine.

The VP will ensure quality, compliance, and scalable systems, while partnering with executives to align technology with business growth and clinical research needs.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, PharmD) or equivalent leadership experience.
• 12+ years in Digital Pathology, Computational Pathology, or healthcare tech.
• 8+ years leading managers and cross-functional teams.
• Executive leadership in CLIA/CAP/FDA-regulated settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Digital Pathology org.
• Develop enterprise Digital Pathology strategy and long-term vision.
• Oversee all Digital Pathology operations, including scanning and image management.
• Establish enterprise metrics, KPIs, and SLAs for scalability.
• Direct software implementation, validation, and governance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across all programs.
• Partner with data science, product, and IT for AI capabilities.
• Build executive relationships with partners and vendors.
• Lead vendor selection, contracts, and performance management.
• Drive cross-functional digital transformation initiatives.

Skills

Digital Pathology

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD/MD/DO/PharmD

Master's with exec leadership

Tools

Image management systems

AI/ML in pathology

Whole-slide imaging

Job description

Tempe, AZ - 85281

Full time

JR105478

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.

We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do.

But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.

Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

Position Summary

The Vice President - Digital Pathology is responsible for establishing and executing the enterprise-wide digital pathology strategy, technology roadmap, operational excellence initiatives, and innovation agenda. This executive leader oversees all aspects of Digital Pathology operations, including slide digitization, image quality control, image management, case distribution, workflow optimization, clinical validation programs, software implementation and adoption, data science partnerships, AI-enabled pathology initiatives, and digital transformation efforts across the organization.

The Vice President provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure a scalable, compliant, and future-ready digital pathology ecosystem that supports clinical diagnostics, research, pharmaceutical partnerships, and advanced computational pathology capabilities. This role serves as the senior executive responsible for driving technology innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, quality excellence, and business growth.

The Vice President partners closely with Executive Leadership, Medical Directors, Pathologists, Laboratory Operations, Information Technology, Data Science, Product Development, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and external technology partners to advance the organization’s digital pathology vision and capabilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for the entire Digital Pathology organization, including Digital Pathology Operations, Technology, Validation, Quality, Data Science partnerships, and Digital Transformation initiatives.

• Develops and executes the enterprise Digital Pathology strategy, roadmap, and long-term vision aligned with organizational objectives.

• Oversees all Digital Pathology operations including slide scanning, image quality control, archival scanning, image management, workflow distribution, and operational performance.

• Establishes enterprise-wide operational metrics, KPIs, quality indicators, and service level agreements to ensure consistent performance and scalability.

• Directs enterprise software implementation efforts involving digital pathology platforms, image management systems, workflow tools, AI applications, and laboratory integrations.

• Oversees the planning, execution, documentation, and governance of clinical validation programs for digital pathology technologies, software platforms, image analysis tools, AI applications, and workflow enhancements.

• Ensures compliance with CLIA, CAP, New York State, ISO, FDA, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements related to digital pathology operations and technology.

• Partners with Data Science, Bioinformatics, Product Development, and Technology teams to establish and advance computational pathology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

• Develops key strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support digital pathology innovation, technology advancement, and business growth initiatives.

• Builds and maintains executive-level partnerships with scanner manufacturers, software vendors, AI developers, technology providers, and other strategic partners.

• Leads vendor selection, contract negotiations, performance management, and long-term technology partnership strategies.

• Oversees internal and external system optimization efforts, including hardware, software, infrastructure, automation technologies, and workflow enhancements.

• Sponsors and governs cross-functional digital transformation initiatives designed to improve laboratory efficiency, automation, quality, and user experience.

• Provides executive oversight for software validation, user acceptance testing, deployment planning, change management, and end-user adoption strategies.

• Directs the design and optimization of digital pathology workflows, system architecture, and process integration across laboratory, clinical, operational, and technology functions.

• Ensures effective integration of digital pathology platforms with laboratory information systems and enterprise technology infrastructure.

• Establishes data governance practices and promotes a data-driven culture through executive dashboards, operational reporting, analytics, and performance measurement frameworks.

• Oversees quarterly, annual, and strategic reporting related to operational performance, technology adoption, financial performance, and organizational objectives.

• Evaluates emerging digital pathology technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation, competitive advantage, and business expansion.

• Represents the organization as a senior leader in digital pathology initiatives, strategic partnerships, industry collaborations, and professional forums.

• Accepts additional duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, PharmD) in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or a related discipline; or Master's degree with significant equivalent executive leadership experience.

• 12+ years of progressive experience in Digital Pathology, Computational Pathology, Laboratory Operations, Healthcare Technology, or related healthcare environments.

• 8+ years of leadership experience managing managers, directors, and cross-functional teams in clinical laboratory, healthcare technology, or regulated healthcare environments.

• Demonstrated executive leadership experience within CLIA, CAP, NYS, ISO, FDA-regulated, or similarly regulated healthcare settings.

• Proven experience leading enterprise digital pathology programs, digital transformation initiatives, and large-scale technology deployments.

• Extensive experience overseeing clinical validation programs for digital pathology technologies, software platforms, image management systems, and AI-enabled solutions.

• Demonstrated success leading software implementation, system integration, and enterprise change management initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of laboratory operations, digital imaging workflows, quality systems, validation methodologies, regulatory requirements, and healthcare technology infrastructure.

• Experience managing complex departmental budgets, capital planning initiatives, and technology investment portfolios.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and related business applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• MD, PhD, or dual advanced degree in a scientific, medical, technical, or business discipline.

• Experience supporting computational pathology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced image analytics initiatives.

• Experience collaborating with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or healthcare technology organizations.

• Demonstrated success commercializing or operationalizing digital pathology and advanced diagnostics technologies.

• Extensive experience with whole-slide imaging systems, digital pathology platforms, and enterprise image management solutions.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizational change management initiatives.

• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle, product management, and healthcare technology implementation methodologies.

• Experience with cloud-based technologies, interoperability standards, and enterprise healthcare architecture.

• Proven executive leadership and team development capabilities.

• In-depth understanding of laboratory quality systems, safety requirements, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Physical Demands

• Must possess ability to sit, stand, and/or work at a computer for long periods of time.

• May have exposure to blood-borne pathogens, extreme temperatures, high noise levels, fumes, and bio-hazardous material/chemicals including formalin in the laboratory environment.

• Visual acuity and analytical skills to distinguish fine detail.

• Ability to pass a visual color discrimination test.

Training

• All job-specific, safety, compliance, leadership, and regulatory training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.

Other

• This position requires periodic travel and some evenings, weekends and/or holidays.

• Job may require after-hours response to critical issues.

• Periodically scheduled on-call may require after-hours response for technical emergencies.

• At times may be required to work weekends/holidays.

Conditions of Employment: Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check ( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Caris Life Sciences is a leading innovator in molecular science and artificial intelligence focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation.

Caris is committed to quality and excellence at our state-of-the-art laboratories. Learn more about our tissue lab and the advanced technologies that are helping improve the lives of cancer patients.