Vice President and General Manager, Life Sciences CRO

Position Summary

The Vice President and General Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of operations, including laboratory and project delivery, quality, client services, and facilities of our Life Sciences Contract Research Organization (CRO).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all operational functions including lab services, project delivery, client reporting, and support services.

• Ensure seamless execution of scientific programs, delivering on time, on budget, and to client expectations.

• Implement standardized operating procedures, tools, and controls that enable scalable and reliable execution.

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operational areas.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost control, and service consistency.

• Lead integration of systems and technologies (e.g., LIMS, automation platforms) that enhance throughput, compliance, and traceability.

• Lead facilities management for all CRO operations, including lab, office, and support areas.

• Develop and implement short- and long-term space planning strategies to accommodate current workloads and future growth.

• Partner with lab managers and technical leads to ensure facility layout and infrastructure supports scientific and operational needs.

• Oversee capital planning, equipment procurement, and facility renovations or expansions.

• Ensure compliance with environmental health & safety (EHS), building codes, and laboratory safety standards.

• Lead expansion of laboratories and facilities into international locations.

• Build and lead a cross-functional operations team including lab leadership, program management, quality, and facilities.

• Develop talent through mentorship, structured training, and leadership development.

• Foster a culture of accountability, operational discipline, safety, and continuous learning.

• Act as a senior operational contact for strategic clients; ensure consistent communication and service delivery excellence.

• Work closely with commercial and scientific teams to translate customer needs into operational plans and delivery models.

• Represent the CRO's capabilities in client meetings, audits, and industry engagements.

• Lead operational planning and budgeting, including headcount, infrastructure, and capacity investments.

• Optimize cost structures while maintaining service quality and flexibility.

• Support strategic decisions on facility investment, outsourcing, and capital expansion.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related discipline required.

• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, PhD) preferred.

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in scientific operations, laboratory services, or technical program management in a CRO, diagnostics, or life sciences tools company.

• Experience leading operations in a facility-intensive, regulated, and high-throughput scientific environment.

• Experience building a multi-site, global operation, including establishing and managing several international locations.

• Experience scaling operations in a growth-stage CRO or life sciences service company preferred.

• Oversight of new facility buildouts, lab expansions, or major capital equipment investments preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep understanding of laboratory workflows, regulatory compliance (GLP, GCP, CLIA, ISO), and operational best practices.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to organize, present, and articulate ideas both verbally and in writing.

• Strong business acumen, negotiation and mediation skills, as well as a demonstrated attention to detail and a focus on achieving quality outcomes.

• Ability to build/foster relationships.

• Professional presence and strong interpersonal skills for interacting in a courteous, timely, and diplomatic manner with all levels of employees as well as other parties/stakeholders involved with the company.

• Attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to excellence and performance improvement and the drive to deliver quality and value-added results and outcomes.

• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, lead through change, and deliver results in a dynamic setting.

• Strong financial and project management skills; experience managing budgets, forecasts, and operational performance metrics.

• Familiarity with lab planning tools, cleanroom design, and shared scientific infrastructure preferred.

• Prior ownership of EHS programs or laboratory safety oversight preferred.