Laboratory Services Director

Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Laboratory Services Director The closing date is 01 February 2026
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is seeking an experienced, strategic Laboratory Services Director to lead the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory the lead laboratory for the East Genomic Medicine Service (GMS), supporting genomic testing for 29 NHS Trusts across the East Midlands and East of England.
This senior role offers a rare opportunity to join CUH during a period of rapid innovation in genomic medicine. You will oversee high-quality, resilient laboratory services across cancer, haematology-oncology, rare disease and population health, maintaining strong performance, quality and patient outcomes.
Reporting to the East GMS Director of Operations, you will be part of a multidisciplinary leadership team spanning clinical engagement, capacity and growth, operational delivery, data and digital. You will also work closely with research partners and lead a service development team to drive change, embed new ways of working and support continuous improvement.
You will be a senior laboratory and operational leader with the credibility, vision and drive to lead a complex genomics service. Strong performance and financial management skills, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to quality, safety and patient centred care are essential, along with a passion for innovation and continuous Improvement
Main duties of the job Provide operational leadership of the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, ensuring high-quality, timely and safe service delivery.
Ensure strong operational performance and continuous improvement across capacity, quality, productivity and turnaround times.
Oversee the Service Delivery team responsible for implementing changes and improvements within the laboratory.
Contribute as a member of the senior leadership team, guiding the strategic development of genomics testing at CUH and across the East region.
Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally, including across the East GMS network.
Hold budget authority for the laboratory and drive sustainable, high-value service delivery.
Provide operational oversight of contracted genomic testing services across the East GMS network, ensuring performance and governance.
Support service development and research by enabling flexible laboratory capacity to meet clinical demand and variable project needs.
Inspire and support a highly skilled multidisciplinary workforce.
About us Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job responsibilities Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on the 1st February 2026
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 9th February 2026
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and fromCambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification Qualifications

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathology FRCPath in appropriate discipline or PhD or equivalent level experience
• Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate scientific subject
• Management qualification or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC

Experience

• Significant experience of leadership and line management of teams
• Comprehensive knowledge of all areas within a Clinical Diagnostic Genomics Service
• Significant experience of working at a senior level to deliver specialist diagnostic services
• Experience in providing a key role at local and national level in professional activities, working and advisory groups
• Evidence of successful operational and business planning
• Experience of leading and managing change to improve service delivery
• To have developed expertise in one or more specialised clinical areas and have a track record of achievements in specialist area
• Ability to supervise and train others in aspects of the diagnostic work
• Experience in analysing interpreting and reporting complex genomic test results
• Experience of development, validation and introduction of new techniques into clinical practice

Knowledge

• Up to date knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines in relation to provision and quality of genomic services
• Knowledge of UKAS ISO15189 standards and quality management systems and ability to monitor their compliance
• Good knowledge of financial management and procurement
• Good knowledge of personnel and management issues
• Knowledge of Health & Safety issues
• Advanced level of knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices involved in the diagnosis and monitoring of genomic conditions, including knowledge sufficient to act as an expert in specialist area

Skills

• Skill in managing, delivering and initiating projects across a wide range of services
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Computer literate and ability to understand and use genomic IT tools and software and to analyse genomic data
• Experience and proven ability to manage laboratory operations
• Able to conduct audit of services and take corrective actions
• Ability to conduct performance appraisals

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
• Prepared to be flexible in relation to working hours
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Self-confidence

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions click apply for full job details