Associate Director/Director, Facilities & Laboratory Operations

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Director/Director, Facilities and Laboratory Operations provides leadership, direction, and support to ensure seamless delivery of essential support services. The role will ensure the efficient functioning of the facilities, maintain compliance with industry regulations, manage resources, and champion a productive, sustainable, and safe work environment.

This role will also manage services to ensure they meet current and future business requirements and is tasked with leading change, defining standards, and influencing across the organization to implement these initiatives. In doing so, the Associate Director/Director, Facilities and Laboratory Operations will help build solutions to support Chroma’s future growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all services to support daily facility and laboratory operations, maintenance, and repairs, including support and oversight of the facilities and laboratory operations group
• Ensure laboratory operations best practices with a focus on process and continuous improvement
• Develop and implement a strategic vendor management and procurement roadmap to optimize resources, drive automation, reduce cycle time and improve efficiencies in collaboration with scientific department representatives
• Assist in developing and implementing a best-in-class facilities and laboratory operations plan focusing on best practices, effective planning and asset life cycle management
• Manage and forecast the annual facilities and laboratory operations and capital expenditures budget, including coordinating with the scientific team to process requests and confirm alignment with the budget
• Manage equipment life cycles including an asset inventory database with equipment maintenance tracking. Work collaboratively with department heads to define requirements and communicate overall program status based key metrics including standardized workflows, KPI's, metrics, documentation and training
• Manage the relationship and serve as the point of contact for key vendors and sub-contractors for the facilities and lab
• Ensure that all facilities and lab procedures and personnel are compliant with company’s SOPs, policies, and guidelines, including updating the materials as needed
• Triage facilities and lab service-related issues including coordination with third party service providers
• Develop risk prioritization and management processes to ensure business continuity for facilities and the lab
• Serve as the main point of contact for safety training and communication, including incident reporting and management of our occupational health vendor in coordination with People & Culture
• Engage with the scientific team to understand their current and upcoming priorities, and how the facility and lab operations team can support these efforts
• Lead all aspects of personnel management for direct reports including review of staffing to align with organizational goals, performance management, development, and retention
• Foster a culture of proactive management and continuous improvement
• Follow and manage operational EH&S and security systems and policies to ensure compliance
• Other activities and responsibilities as needed

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Build and maintain strong, cross-functional relationships with key stakeholders
• Impactful leadership skills and demonstrated ability to lead a team
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset with a desire to positively impact a company’s evolving culture
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills, including an ability to combine attention to detail with a big picture perspective
• Strong oral and written communication skills with experience presenting across all levels of the organization and externally to other interested parties
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, and dynamic environment while remaining flexible, proactive, and resourceful
• Adept at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously, integrating cross-functional issues, and balancing competing priorities effectively
• Passionate, adaptable, and keen on working in the fast-paced biotech startup space to drive cutting-edge science

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 10 years of facilities and engineering, building operations, or facility management experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant business, engineering, or operations field.
• Prior experience supporting laboratory and facility operations.
• Strong understanding of facility and laboratory operations principles and practices.
• Prior experience in developing budgets and controlling costs.
• Strong understanding of laboratory safety protocols and compliance standards.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills to effectively manage a diverse team.