Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations, Specialty Lab Services

Job Description

Job Description

About Discovery Life Sciences:

Discovery Life Sciences is a global market leader in biospecimen solutions and specialty laboratory services, offering an extensive range of products and services to support drug discovery and development. With a network of laboratories and offices across the United States and Europe, we serve customers in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Discovery is committed to advancing scientific research and improving health care outcomes. We are dedicated to accelerating the discovery and development of new therapies and diagnostics by providing the highest quality biospecimens, in vitro preclinical products, and cell and gene therapy starting materials, coupled with specialty lab services.

Position Summary:

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations, Specialty Lab Services (SLS), is a key member of the SLS leadership team responsible for the overall operational strategy, execution, and performance of all lab operations including Proteomics, Genomics, Molecular Pathology (Immunohistochemistry, FISH, PCR and Multiplex Immunofluorescence), and Clinical Flow Cytometry.

This leader will oversee lab operations, harmonization of business processes and LIMS, operational excellence, compliance, client delivery, and scientific innovation in alignment with corporate goals and industry best practices. The incumbent must be a decisive and data-driven leader with a strategic mindset, able to inspire trust and drive accountability across all levels, passionate about scientific innovation and its translation into clinical and commercial value, and champion operational excellence and customer satisfaction. As a visionary leader, this position must align teams around shared goals while fostering innovation and operational discipline.

Why Join Us:

At Discovery, this position will have the opportunity to lead a talented operational leadership team and make a significant impact on the growth and success of a pioneering company in the biotech and life sciences industry. We offer a collaborative and innovative work environment, competitive compensation, and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects that contribute to improving patient outcomes globally.

Must-Have Qualifications (Education, Skills, Experience):

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related field; MBA or similar preferred.
• Certification or training in Lean Six Sigma or project management is a plus.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical or specialty lab operations, with a strong track record in managing multi-disciplinary laboratory teams.
• Experience in a contract research organization (CRO), biopharma, or clinical diagnostics environment required.
• Deep domain knowledge in at least two of the following: Proteomics, Genomics, Molecular Pathology, or Flow Cytometry.
• Proven experience scaling complex lab operations, optimizing workflows, and leading through change.
• Demonstrated success in harmonizing business process (e.g. program management) and LIMS infrastructure across multiple sites, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering sustained revenue and profitability growth. 
• Strong track record of delivering operational excellence, including deployment of automation technologies, digital lab platforms (e.g., LIMS), and data-driven decision-making tools.
• Experience leading change management initiatives, particularly involving the integration of acquisitions, separate businesses and/or new technologies or cross-functional operational transformations.
• Prior experience in strategic planning, capital project management, lab capacity expansion, or infrastructure development is highly desirable.
• Commercially minded with the ability to work closely with sales leaders in operational delivery to exceed client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• As a member of the SLS Senior Leadership team, contribute as a member of the team in the strategic operating plan.  This includes overseeing all operational aspects of SLS to ensure success and alignment with overall company goals. 
• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and execution of operational strategies across all Specialty Lab Services lines to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee day-to-day operations of each lab modality (Proteomics, Genomics, Molecular Pathology, and Flow Cytometry), ensuring optimal throughput, turnaround times, and quality standards. Scale operational capabilities to support business growth, ensure quality, turnaround time, and compliance remain uncompromised. 
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with R&D, Commercial, Regulatory, and Quality functions to ensure seamless execution of client projects and organizational objectives.
• Financial Management: Support P&L management for Specialty Lab Services. Create revenue growth and operational efficiency through process improvements, automation, and service differentiation. 
• People Leadership: Build and develop a high-performing team of operational and scientific leaders. Foster a culture of accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Client Delivery & Experience: Ensure exceptional client service through reliable, timely, and scientifically sound data delivery.
• Innovation & Capability Expansion: Identify and invest in new technologies, process automation, and infrastructure enhancements that support scientific advancement and operational scalability.
• Ensure full compliance with CLIA, CAP, GLP/GCLP, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

Compensation and Benefits:

Discovery Life Sciences is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices, and we strive to provide employees with total compensation packages that are market competitive. The exact base pay offered for this role will depend on various factors, including but not limited to qualifications, skills, and experience.

The annual salary is only one part of the total compensation package. Other benefits include:

• Benefits package options include free medical, dental, vision, and life for employees, which start on the first day of employment. Discovery covers 85% of the cost for eligible dependents.
• Inclusion in executive unlimited paid time off (UPTO) program.
• 401(k) match program which starts on the first day of employment.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity.
• Employee Referral Program and Colleague Recognition Program.

Location and work hours:

• Onsite at a Discovery SLS office location (Huntsville, AL, Newtown, PA, or Kassel, Germany)
• Relocation support is available for the selected qualified candidate relocating to one of our U.S. office locations.
• Up to 20% domestic and 20% international travel required for site meetings and customer meetings.

Join Discovery and lead our SLS operational efforts to enable the discovery and development of new therapeutics that improve patient outcomes.

Apply Now to join our team!
Visit dls.com/careers for more details.