Laboratory Operations Manager

Job Title: Laboratory Operations Manager

📍 Location: Harlow

Step into a pivotal leadership role that directly impacts lives every day. We're on the lookout for an experienced, dynamic, and forward-thinking Manager to take charge of a high-performing, fast-paced diagnostic laboratory team at the heart of critical healthcare services.

This is more than just a management role—it's your opportunity to lead a team of passionate scientists and healthcare professionals, drive innovation, ensure excellence in diagnostic services, and champion quality for better patient outcomes. If you're ready to be the go-to person on-site for all things laboratory services and thrive in a role with significant autonomy and influence—read on.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead from the Front: Take full operational responsibility for the Laboratory, ensuring it runs like a well-oiled machine—efficiently, safely, and with clinical excellence.
  
  
• Be the Key Liaison: Act as the senior representative on-site, collaborating with hospital teams, pathologists, and stakeholders to deliver seamless, integrated services.
  
  
• Champion Quality & Compliance: Own and evolve quality management practices to meet UKAS, MHRA, CQC, and other regulatory standards. You’ll be the person who ensures the lab not only meets but exceeds expectations.
  
  
• Drive Data-Led Decisions: Use performance platforms and analytics tools to continuously improve lab turnaround times, service KPIs, and efficiency.
  
  
• Inspire & Empower Your Team: Oversee the Heads of Department, lead recruitment efforts, manage staff development, and ensure optimal resourcing and training across all levels.
  
  
• Steer the Vision: Implement strategic direction and local operational policies, champion new initiatives, and stay ahead of industry trends and technology.
  
  What You Bring to the Table
  
  
• A relevant Honours Degree in Biomedical Science (or equivalent) and ideally a Master’s, Higher Specialist Diploma, or management qualification.
  
  
• Extensive experience leading acute laboratory services, particularly in a complex hospital or healthcare setting.
  
  
• A track record in achieving and maintaining regulated service accreditations (UKAS, MHRA, CQC).
  
  
• Strong people management skills—from hiring to performance reviews—with a genuine passion for team development.
  
  
• Analytical savvy and working knowledge of lab systems (e.g., Q-Pulse, LIMS) and business tools (Excel, Tableau, etc.).
  
  
• Stellar communication and leadership qualities, with the confidence to lead change and drive results.
  
  Why You’ll Love It Here
  
  
• You'll lead a team that makes a real difference—every test matters, every result counts.
  
  
• You’ll have ownership of a vital service, working closely with clinical leaders to shape the future of diagnostics.
  
  
• You'll thrive in a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  
  
• This is a role that offers career progression, visibility, and impact—not just internally, but across a wider healthcare landscape.
  
  Key Areas of Impact
  
  
• Service delivery & turnaround time
  
  
• Staff development & training
  
  
• Compliance, quality & governance
  
  
• Business continuity & strategic planning
  
  
• Relationship building across multi-disciplinary teams
  
  Your Mission
  
  To lead one of the most critical elements in healthcare diagnostics with vision, precision, and heart. This is a rare opportunity to blend leadership, science, and service excellence in a meaningful way.
  
  Ready to take the lead in transforming essential laboratory services?
  Apply now and be the change