Associate Director, Laboratory And Facility Operations

Job Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Head of Finance, The Associate Director of Laboratory and Facility Operations will be responsible for all laboratory management and Facility Operations. including landlord and building owner relations, vendor management, developing strategies for accommodating growth, and determining future space requirements versus current capacity.
• This role will develop and implement a best-in-class laboratory operations plan focusing on maintenance best practices, effective planning and scheduling and asset life cycle management.
• Manage complete functional budgets inclusive of service contracts, repairs and maintenance, parts and consumables, and on-site instrumentation contractors.
• Maintain and optimize processes within the lab to increase efficiency and effectiveness, including managing biologics inventory, lab consumables, and chemicals.
• Manage lab scheduling for biologics experiments and related equipment, including processing time, service contracts, preventative maintenance, calibration schedules, SOPs, and general lab procedures.
• Oversee lab safety and regulatory compliance, including tracking of biologics, chemicals, and hazardous materials and enforcing PPE policy and lab safety rules.
• Manage all general laboratory operations, including waste consolidation and removal, gas tank exchanges, tissue culture room maintenance, hazardous waste disposal, etc.
• Maintain inventories, Laboratory Safety Plan/Manual, and other laboratory documentation and systems e.g., LIMS.
• Responsible for all order/inventory of all laboratory consumables, office supplies & services, and negotiate the best prices for supplies; address any issues with orders; manage shipping/receiving.
• Create/Review research and technical development protocols of all lab users in an effort to stay abreast as to what projects are occurring in the laboratory at any given time.
• Plan and manage laboratory meetings and generate ideas for improving efficiency and productivity in the laboratory operations.
• Ensure that users have been trained on the correct use of the laboratory equipment, and that the laboratory is cleaned/sanitized and kept in an orderly manner.
• Function as an expert in company facilities management technical matters e.g., LIMS and permits, and provide professional help and guidance to others, as appropriate.
• Oversee all Facility Operations, including vendor management, management of contract resources, and management of equipment purchase, inventory, and maintenance.
• Administer Nvelop’s environmental health and safety program. Collaborate with Nvelop’s Biological and Chemical Safety Officers (BSO, CSO) to conduct safety training and assess compliance.
• Oversee Nvelop’s IT vendors and consultants to install and maintain all information technology (IT) and Audio Visual (AV) systems. Serve as functional leader for day-to-day IT operations.
• Oversee equipment and building monitoring systems and develop SOPs for handling maintenance and events.
• Optimize the layout and organization of office and laboratory spaces to enhance efficiency and workflow.
• Provide strategic direction, technical supervision, and support day-to-day operations.
• Conduct minor repairs on a daily basis within competency level.

Skills and Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related life sciences degree with 10+ years’ experience in lab and facilities management or equivalent
• Strong organizational skills
• Superior project management skills, multi-tasking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent multitasking and communication skills
• Expertise in contract negotiations, shipping/receiving, security and document management preferred.
• Strong collaborative spirit and excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and with external contacts in a fast paced and demanding environment.
• Exceptional organizational, time management and critical thinking skills, lab notebook practices and attention to detail are essential.
• Excellent multi-tasking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Must possess a high level of initiative and the ability to work with little supervision.
• Ability to lead with or without reporting authority and collaborate cross-functionally.