Director Technical Lab Operations #2845

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. GRAIL, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN). For more information, please visit www.grail.com.
The role is part of a larger Laboratory Operations group dedicated to delivering the company’s products at large scale. Particularly you will be responsible for leading the operational excellence and process monitoring organization supporting Laboratory Operations.  You will work with diverse teams throughout Grail including but not limited to Clinical Laboratory Operations, Engineering Operations, Manufacturing, Science & Technologies (MSAT), and Research & Development to ensure a culture of continual improvement.  The high complexity nature of the work requires strong technical capabilities in relation to Next-Gen Sequencing, excellent attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, the ability to multitask and be flexible with tasks and schedules, and the ability to work independently in a team environment.
The Director of Technical Operations must also act as a liaison in regards to operation excellence between all internal and external to Laboratory Operations within our Menlo Park, CA and Research Triangle Park, NC sites.  The Director of Technical Operations must exhibit leadership skills such as good judgment, sound analysis and decision making, the ability to remain professional and composed under pressure, effective interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the laboratory, across departments, and sites.
The Director of Laboratory Operations will also be involved with troubleshooting high complexity technical and non-technical problems, coaching and mentoring, building effective teams, managing projects and meeting project deliverables, and understanding and implementing laboratory goals.  Given the wide variety of tasks involved in this position, the Director of Laboratory Operations must demonstrate the ability to analyze complex issues and make sound decisions in a timely manner, commitment to helping and motivating employees, the ability to respond to difficult issues quickly, fairly, and ethically, outstanding organizational skills, the ability to respond to change with flexibility and to adapt quickly to evolving circumstances, and excellent communication skills including proactively communicating team goals and priorities clearly, openly and objectively, and communicating changes, issues, and challenges in all directions of the organization.

You will;

• Oversee the overall operations of the Clinical Laboratory including planning, directing and evaluating all laboratory activities within the facility.
• Ensure test systems are functioning properly, monitoring patient and quality control testing results, planning, validation and implementation of new test procedures.
• Collaborate with the Laboratory Managers on the laboratory’s quality control and quality assurance procedures, technical troubleshooting and improvement procedures, and training and education programs. Lead and participate on cross functional teams responsible for implementation of new products, process improvements, and troubleshooting activities in the clinical laboratory.
• Ensure stability studies, validation protocols, and other process improvement and new assay projects are implemented per protocol.
• Lead and participate on cross functional teams responsible for securing CLIA certification, CAP accreditation, and state licensure for the GRAIL Clinical Laboratory, including compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.
• Review validation and stability study protocols and technical reports.
• Participate in quality assurance activities.

Your background should include;

• Typically requires BS/BA degree & 15+ years of related experience, or Masters & 12+ years of related experience, or PhD & 8+ years of related experience
• California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license.
• At least seven 10 years of Laboratory experience or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laboratory regulations.
• Operations and people management experience required.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Strong collaborator