Director, Pathology Operations
Southern Research + You
Discover a career where your work truly matters. Southern Research has been translating science into real-world solutions since 1941. Join our innovative team and enjoy benefits like medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, life insurance, PTO, an employee assistance program, and more.
General Summary
The Director of Pathology Operations will provide leadership and strategic direction for the Pathology Department, including the responsibility for the coordination of studies within Pathology. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards in pathology services, fostering a high-performance team culture, and driving operational efficiency. The Director will engage with key stakeholders, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The candidate will be an experienced leader who can balance operational execution, financial stewardship, and strategic engagement with clients and partners.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead major technical projects within time and budget constraints.
- Support the identification of technologies with sustainable market impact that contribute to setting the strategic direction for the commercialization of technology.
- Support and oversee validation and qualification efforts for equipment and software to be used for both GLP and non-GLP studies.
- Actively engage in technical activities and provide project direction within all areas of the department, as needed.
- Plan and develop projects including the selection of appropriate project staff from available resources. Establish, monitor, and lead technical, supervisory, and management staff.
- Train, mentor, and lead technical, supervisory, and management staff, fostering an environment of scientific innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Develop project and overhead budgets with clients, client services, and management, as needed. Lead organization development efforts, ensuring alignment of departmental objectives with corporate goals.
- Identify needs for specialized facilities to support technical areas and assist management in planning to meet these needs.
- Assist Pathology and leadership to develop a growing national or international reputation.
- Conduct annual performance evaluations, goal setting and evaluation, hiring, training, resourcing, and salary planning for personnel.
- Monitor and ensure timely delivery of data, samples, and reports to clients, supporting both GLP and non-GLP efforts.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements to maintain a GLP laboratory, including interacting with Quality Assurance and Quality Control professionals both within the organization and external, when needed.
- Respond to regulatory audits and deviations, ensure staff maintain all required training and documentation of said training in a timely manner.
- Develop strategic direction, including identifying new capabilities and research areas, to expand customer base and new business.
- Support purchasing efforts, ensuring all inventories are maintained for laboratory function.
- Contribute to proposals, present briefings to clients, present data at scientific conferences/meetings, manage schedule and budget on studies, analyze data, and write reports, as needed and appropriate.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure department efficiency, scientific impact, and client satisfaction.
Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
- Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in related field with 10+ years of leadership experience in preclinical pathology within a contract research organization, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environment.
- Demonstrable knowledge of regulatory guidelines (GLP, FDA, EMA, ICH).
- Must be willing to meet entry requirements for the A/BSL 1-3 facility, which includes wearing protective clothing (e.g., N95 and PAPR) for extended periods of time, to fulfill veterinary and pathology responsibilities.
- Must possess ability to interact and communicate effectively with staff members, other Institute personnel, clients, and customers.
- Proven track record of leading high-performing teams, managing pathology operations, and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Knowledge of business acumen and practices; ability to understand and apply cost and financial accounting concepts.
- Experience in digital pathology operations is preferred.
Core Values
Cultivating human connection - putting people first. We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone. We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential. We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of though go hand in hand. We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.
Operating with precise execution - measuring what matters and owning results as a team. We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science. We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset. We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work. We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.
Harnessing relentless curiosity - our unstoppable, innovative force. We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge. We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives. We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.
Stewarding a healthy community - implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment. We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community. We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities. We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.
Job Specific Behaviors
Strategic Decision Making - Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints and resources.
Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customer's expectations.
Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function. Possess skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.
Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.
Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focused outcomes. Demands excellence. Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.
Change Leadership - Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.
Coaches / Develops Others - Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action.
Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of Institute's culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.
Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
Ability to meet A/BSL-3 facility requirements, including use of protective equipment for extended periods.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
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Southern Research Institute
life insurance, 401(k)
Nov 26, 2025