Senior Laboratory Manager, Translational Oncology

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Laboratory Manager, Translational Oncology to lead day-to-day operations across our Discovery and Translational Oncology research organization. This role sits at the intersection of scientific fluency and operational excellence — the ideal candidate brings hands-on research experience, a track record of running complex laboratory environments, and the organizational instincts to keep multiple research groups moving efficiently. You will partner closely with scientists, facilities, procurement, safety, and business operations to deliver a high-functioning, compliant, and sustainable lab environment.

Laboratory Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead lab build out including assisting with instrument procurement, installation, and validation.
• Own end-to-end lab operations across multiple discovery and translational oncology research groups, including space planning, equipment lifecycle management, cold-storage infrastructure, and shared-resource coordination.
• Lead laboratory consolidation, cleanout, decommissioning, and relocation efforts, including equipment mapping and workflow optimization.
• Drive sustainability initiatives (e.g., Green Lab certification programs) and identify opportunities for energy and resource efficiency.
• Oversee compliance with EH&S, institutional safety standards, and equipment qualification requirements.

Cross-Functional Partnerships

• Serve as the primary operational liaison to Facilities, Procurement, Instrument Services, Research Supply, Safety, and Business Operations.
• Work with IT to integrate computational pipelines with existing Natera compute infrastructure.
• Work with lab managers from other departments and facilities in the building to ensure optimal equipment sharing.
• Manage vendor relationships, capital planning, and equipment procurement in alignment with research priorities and budget constraints.
• Cook up and coordinate onboarding and offboarding of laboratory personnel, including space assignments and equipment access.

Scientific & Team Engagement

• Develop functional assays or support translational research workflows as needed, with the ability to engage meaningfully with scientific teams on operational decisions.
• Lead recurring lab forums and operational communication cadences to keep research and operations teams aligned.
• Mentor and support junior lab staff; model best practices in laboratory conduct, documentation, and organization.

What You Bring

• B.S. or higher in a life science discipline (Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field); advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in a research laboratory setting, with at least 3–5 years in a formal lab management or operations leadership role within biotech or pharma.
• Direct experience supporting translational or oncology research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale laboratory infrastructure projects — relocations, equipment fleet management, cold-storage optimization, or similar.
• Familiarity with flow cytometry, cell-based assays, tissue culture, and/or preclinical research workflows.
• Experience with single-cell sequencing and spatial genomics technologies is a plus.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; comfortable working across scientific, facilities, compliance, and business operations stakeholders.
• Experience with sustainability or green lab programs is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities across concurrent workstreams.

Compensation & Total Rewards

The compensation range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations. This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long-term equity awards
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range: $142,300—$177,850 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives. The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

What We Offer

• Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more.
• We also offer a generous employee referral program!

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