Laboratory Operations Director

Arkana Laboratories•Little Rock, AR

107d•Onsite

About The Position

As Laboratory Operations Director, you'll be responsible for the technical operations and continuous improvement of our anatomic pathology laboratory across multiple modalities: light microscopy (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), electron microscopy (EM), neuropathology, and digital pathology. This isn't a desk job. You'll spend time on the floor in the lab, in meetings with pathologists, coaching managers, redesigning workflows, and figuring out how to make our lab better tomorrow than it is today. Your job is to translate our strategic vision into day-to-day reality, to design systems that work without constant firefighting, and to build a team that takes real pride in their technical expertise. Important note: You don't need to be an AP lab expert today. If you have strong leadership experience in clinical labs, research labs, or related technical fields—and you're willing to learn the specifics of anatomic pathology—we want to hear from you. We value leadership ability and a learning mindset as much as we value domain expertise.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in laboratory science, biology, or related field (HT/HTL ASCP certification is a plus)
At least 7 years leading teams in clinical labs, research labs, or technical operations
Strong technical background—ideally in AP lab work, but we're open to leaders from other lab settings who are eager to learn
Track record of holding people accountable while developing their capabilities
Familiarity with regulatory requirements (CAP, CLIA, state regulations)
Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly in writing and conversation

Nice To Haves

PhD in a relevant scientific field (we're serious about welcoming PhD-level leaders who may not have worked in AP labs before)
Experience running high-volume labs where quality and speed both matter
Success building training programs
Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or other structured improvement methods and a desire to use it in practice
Familiarity with digital pathology, automation, or AI applications in lab settings
Comfort with laboratory information systems and digital workflows

Responsibilities

Build and improve the systems that make great work possible. You'll own technical quality and workflow design across every AP section; not just maintaining what exists, but actively making it better. That means spotting bottlenecks before they become crises, evaluating equipment, and technology investments with a clear eye toward quality and cost, and driving improvement as a habit rather than a project.
Run Excellent Operations. Specimens should move through each section with the right quality and turnaround time, every day without the need for heroics on the part of our team. You'll work closely with operations on staffing and scheduling, keep communication flowing between technicians, pathologists, and leadership, and build a lab that catches problems early rather than reacting to them.
Develop managers who develop their people. You'll lead and mentor section managers, setting clear expectations, delivering honest feedback, and holding people accountable in a way that's direct without being punitive. The goal isn't just well-run sections; rather, it's helping managers grow into strong technical and operational leaders.
Build Training That Works. You'll own the technical curriculum across all sections, working with our training manager to translate our SOPs and workflows into a training curriculum. That means clear competency standards at each level, hands-on practice that sticks, and smart use of technology where it genuinely accelerates learning.
Own Quality and Compliance. You'll partner with QA and physician leads to keep our quality systems strong, our scientific rigor uncompromising, and our lab ready for CAP, CLIA, FDA, and NY State inspections at all times. This means modeling the standards you expect, not just signing off on them.
Drive Continuous Improvement. You'll lead initiatives that reduce manual work, cut variability, and prevent errors before they reach patients. That includes working with our teams to automate the things that don't need human judgment, freeing your people to focus on the work that does. You'll build improvement roadmaps, execute them, and more importantly, you'll help make improvement a reflex, not a special project we get to when things slow down.
Use Data to Make Better Decisions. You'll track the metrics that matter — quality, turnaround time, rework rates, errors, training completion — and actually use them. That means basing your coaching and decisions on what the numbers show, reading early warning signs before small problems compound, and sharing performance data openly with lab leadership to eliminate surprises.
Collaborate Across Teams. You'll be the bridge between lab leadership strategy and what actually happens on the bench. That means strong working relationships with pathologists, operations, training, QA, IT, and finance; and a genuine interest in breaking down silos so knowledge and skills move across sections.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) retirement plan
Generous PTO and holidays
Real investment in your professional development and leadership growth
The chance to build something exceptional and see the direct impact of your work on patient care
Generous paid time off and Paid Holidays
Minimal cost health insurance for you and affordable options for your family
401(k) with immediate eligibility and match
Company-paid life insurance
Company-paid long term disability coverage
Affordable vision and dental plans
Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account availability
Wellness plan and complimentary yoga classes
Monthly in-office massages and employer-sponsored lunches