Lab Manager

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves working in an experimental wet lab environment, handling a range of chemicals and biological materials while ensuring compliance with safety protocols. The position serves as a supervisor for CSI Lab Coordinators and Technicians and plays a critical role in supporting nearly 400 surgical training courses annually. It requires an experienced professional with surgical expertise to guide certified surgeons during hands-on training sessions. Responsibilities include coordinating and executing training events that may involve 5 to 200 participants, often scheduled during evenings and weekends to meet client needs. In addition to overseeing lab operations, this position manages the planning and execution of surgical training courses using cadaveric tissue and other mediums. These programs focus on surgeon education, new product development, and sales training. The role includes supervising field-based labs, maintaining surgical equipment, and ensuring proper sterilization and inventory control. The lab manager will also handle activity reporting, logistics, and provide responsive support for professional education events, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional client experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in any field
Four (4) years of clinical research or related experience
A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in science or health related field
Prior supervisory or management experience in a clinical research setting
Experience working within an academic medical center
Demonstrated experience in laboratory compliance and safety protocols, including hazardous material handling, regulatory documentation, and adherence to institutional and federal guidelines (e.g., OSHA, HIPAA, IACUC).
Experience coordinating complex training programs or scientific events
Anatomy experience - prior knowledge or education of human anatomy, ie., skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, endocrine system.
Strong project management skills and experience within a complex and diverse environment
Advanced knowledge and understanding of federal regulations and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Demonstration of strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution
Outstanding customer service skills

Responsibilities

Manage inventory systems and ensure proper handling, labeling, and organization of specimens, surgical instruments, and laboratory equipment.
Manage equipment maintenance and cleanliness; ensure adequate supply levels through efficient ordering, receiving, and shipment coordination.
Prepare the laboratory for daily operations by stocking materials, verifying safety readiness, and maintaining a clean and compliant work environment.
Manage Lab Techs to ensure the lab’s daily readiness.
Oversee the dispose of laboratory materials, specimens, and waste in accordance with established safety and regulatory guidelines by the SOM.
Oversee the maintenance of accurate logs, spreadsheets, and documentation for all laboratory activities and operational workflows.
Complete all required compliance, safety, and training courses to uphold organizational and regulatory standards.
Ensure all reporting employees adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, escalating issues or irregularities as needed.
Oversee the strategic planning and execution of the annual calendar of surgical training programs and events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, resource capacity, and long-term growth initiatives.
Represent the organization during high-level tours of the center and campus facilities, engaging prospective partners, clients, and stakeholders to strengthen relationships and support business development.
Provide executive-level updates and strategic recommendations to the Executive Director; lead weekly leadership meetings and ensure accurate, high-level management of shared calendars and cross-functional scheduling.
Direct and refine process improvement initiatives, quality assurance efforts, and the development and implementation of enterprise-wide training manuals, policies, and operational workflows.
Provide leadership and oversight to training staff, ensuring effective performance management, workload prioritization, and professional development.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate program effectiveness, identify operational gaps, and drive strategic enhancements that improve efficiency.
Lead cross-departmental coordination to ensure seamless integration of training programs, facility utilization, and event logistics across the organization.
Provide strategic leadership and direction for research and laboratory programs by collaborating with Principal Investigators (PIs), faculty, and industry to align scientific objectives with organizational priorities.
Oversee the application and development of advanced laboratory techniques, guiding the creation, refinement, and validation of new or modified methodologies that support innovative research and high-quality training initiatives.
Proactively identify operational challenges within laboratory and research workflows and implement sustainable, institution-wide solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall program performance.
Provide leadership in establishing best practices, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting continuous improvement across all laboratory functions.
Foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective communication, resource allocation, and alignment of surgical training and objectives.
Mentor and guide CSI staff personnel, promoting professional development and ensuring high standards of scientific rigor and operational excellence.
Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to team members by guiding professional development, setting priorities, and ensuring optimal distribution of workloads to meet program objectives.
Contribute to performance management processes by offering high-level input on team capabilities, identifying skill gaps, and recommending targeted development initiatives to strengthen overall program effectiveness.
Lead the identification and assessment of operational inefficiencies, synthesizing findings, and presenting actionable recommendations to senior leadership to support continuous improvement and organizational excellence.