Manager, Laboratory
About the role
The Laboratory Manager position is available at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), a leading institution in healthcare and research. Reporting to the Director of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology (PMI), this role oversees a high-performing human tissue biorepository supporting cutting-edge cancer research.
Responsibilities
Direct day-to-day biorepository and laboratory operations supporting academic and commercial investigators.
Optimize workflows related to tissue procurement, processing, annotation, storage, and distribution.
Implement scalable processes that enhance efficiency, quality, and turnaround times.
Manage, mentor, and develop a growing research team.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven culture.
Lead performance management activities, including coaching, evaluations, and professional development.
Design and implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure operational success.
Utilize metrics to drive continuous improvement and inform leadership decision-making.
Develop dashboards and reporting structures for program visibility.
Serve as a primary operational liaison to investigators and research partners.
Ensure exceptional service delivery and responsiveness.
Identify opportunities to expand services and improve the customer experience.
Leverage enterprise platforms such as Workday and laboratory databases to support operational excellence.
Partner with IT teams to improve data infrastructure and reporting capabilities.
Champion data integrity and process automation where possible.
Apply strong knowledge of cancer biology and translational research workflows.
Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and quality standards.
Support audits, documentation, and accreditation activities.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience)
5 years of relevant experience
Ability to effectively communicate with a small team consisting of various degrees of knowledge and experience, from novice to expert
Experience in developing Key Performance Indicators
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field (Master’s preferred)
5–8+ years of progressive laboratory leadership experience
Direct experience working within a human tissue biorepository or biospecimen-focused program
Strong background in cancer biology or translational research environments
Demonstrated success managing teams and complex operations
Proficiency with Workday, database platforms, and the Microsoft Office Suite
Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership skills
Proficiency with EPIC or other related Electronic Medical Records systems
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with biospecimen informatics systems
Lean/process improvement training
Experience scaling laboratory services
Benefits
Vanderbilt Health offers competitive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The organization also provides a comprehensive training and development program to support career growth.
Pay
The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Schedule
This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, standard daytime business hours on site at Vanderbilt Medical Center North on 21st Ave. in Nashville, TN.