Lab Director - Clinical Operations (Onsite - relocation assistance available)

The Mission

RDI runs complex, custom research studies for biotech and major diagnostics manufacturers. We help sponsors execute studies that don’t fit neatly into standard CRO or clinical lab models — and that means our lab must be as adaptable, rigorous, and fast as their science demands.

The Role

This isn’t a behind-the-glass lab compliance role. It’s for a leader who thrives at the intersection of execution and strategy, part builder, part operator, and 100% accountable for delivering in a fast-paced CRO lab environment. You’ll be both hands-on and forward-thinking: overseeing day-to-day operations while scaling infrastructure to support increasingly complex diagnostic studies.

You Will:

• Lead lab operations across multiple active protocols, owning daily execution, staff oversight, sample flow, timelines, and documentation.
• Act as a key partner to Clinical PMs to align lab capacity with study timelines and forecast operational needs.
• Direct and mentor lab staff, creating accountability, supporting training, and fostering a culture of quality and agility.
• Design and refine systems for inventory, sample chain-of-custody, throughput, and documentation. If it doesn’t exist, you’ll create it.
• Coordinate vendor relationships for kit components, supplies, and logistics to unblock execution.
• Maintain regulatory excellence (CLIA, CAP, GCP), ensuring the lab remains audit-ready while staying nimble.
• Continuously improve SOPs, workflows, and infrastructure to support current studies and 10x scale.

Who Thrives in This Role:

You're a lab leader who builds trust through action. You're just as comfortable writing SOPs as you are explaining throughput to execs or coaching a new technician through a tricky protocol. You thrive in high-change, low-bureaucracy environments and know how to prioritize when everything’s urgent.

You enjoy:

• Owning performance end to end, from delivery to documentation
• Building and scaling workflows that withstand pressure
• Coaching lab staff while holding high standards
• Translating ambiguity into action plans

 What We’re Looking For:

• 7–10 years in clinical lab operations, ideally in a CRO, diagnostics, or regulated IVD environment
• Proven ability to lead and grow lab teams in high-throughput or sponsor-driven settings
• Strong working knowledge of CLIA, CAP, GCP, and inspection readiness
• Excellent communicator who can bridge lab staff, PMs, QA, and executive teams
• Process-oriented and tech-comfortable (LIMS, ELN, or equivalent systems)
• Experience with assay launches, protocol onboarding, and/or diagnostic development is a big plus

The Reality

Small team. Big responsibility. High autonomy. Huge impact.

This isn’t for everyone — but if you want to build something meaningful at exactly the moment it’s scaling, this may be the most rewarding role you’ll ever take.

This role is based on-site at our CLIA lab in Van Nuys, CA. (We’ll help with relocation or transitional stays.)

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)