LABORATORY DIRECTOR SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Dec 30, 2025 - The Laboratory Director provides clinical laboratory expertise, strong regulatory knowledge, and proficiency in laboratory information systems and Microsoft Office. This role requires proven supervisory experience, team-building ability, and excellent communication to make independent decisions and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. The director also applies financial and organizational skills to manage resources effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Laboratory Director Resume
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Quality Assurance
  • Laboratory Operations
  • Budget Management
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • SOP Writing
  • Test Validation
  • Inspection Readiness
  • KPI Analysis
  • Method Development
  • Laboratory Leadership
  • Team Building
  • Clear Communication
  • Staff Development
  • Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Client Guidance
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Risk Communication
  • Task Delegation
  • Conflict Resolution

Summary of Laboratory Director Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Medical Laboratory Science with 7 years of Experience

  • Excellent business management acumen
  • Demonstrated experience in successful organizational change management of relevant complexity
  • Demonstrated experience in successful business development 
  • Extensive knowledge in the laboratory business and the market
  • Extensive knowledge in business finance and marketing
  • Successful experience of collaborating with different business departments
  • Successful and extensive experience in leading, motivating, and supervising teams of relevant significance
  • Familiar with LIMS or related software 
  • Experience working in international businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of LIMS and industry best practices 
  • Extensive food chemistry and food safety laboratory experience including inorganic and organic departments 
  • Extensive biological food safety laboratory experience including microbiological and GMO departments
  • Must have QA or GLP knowledge and experience

2. BS in Clinical Laboratory Science with 4 years of Experience

  • Work experience in a clinical genetics/genomics laboratory
  • Experienced with the application of next-generation sequencing in a clinical laboratory setting
  • Experienced in managing laboratory personnel
  • Confident in presenting the laboratory services to clinical customers through presentations, seminars, and telephone conversations
  • Clinical lab experience in patient reporting results
  • Must be computer literate with the ability to enter information in the EMR system
  • Training and relevant experience in high complexity testing of Immunology, Chemistry, Hematology and Microbiology
  • Progressive management experience in an acute care facility
  • Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
  • Basic computer knowledge

3. BS in Biology with 6 years of Experience

  • Prior experience in a high-volume analytical laboratory
  • Hands-on experience in a regulated food safety, clinical, forensic, environmental, or cannabis analytical laboratory
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication and customer support skills
  • Must have prior supervisory experience and strong leadership skills
  • Extensive experience with HPLC, GC, GC/MS and/or LC/MS/MS instrumentation
  • Experience with ISO 17025, or a similar certification process
  • Must have National Certification as a Medical Technologist 
  • Progressive laboratory management experience with complex laboratory operations
  • Working experience in a Hospital clinical laboratory
  • Thorough knowledge of clinical laboratory requirements (CLIA)
  • Thorough knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA regulations
  • Experience with all phases of developing, validating and implementing high complexity molecular testing in a CLIA environment
  • Technical experience in Molecular Diagnostics, Real-Time PCR, and Next Generation Sequencing 

4. BS in Biochemistry with 5 years of Experience

  • Progressively responsible and directly related work experience managing CLIA Laboratories
  • Proven managerial skills
  • Ability to work independently of supervision
  • Proficiency in the use of various software applications
  • Strong skills/experience related to balancing clinical, operational, regulatory, and financial goals and outcomes
  • Experience with tumor biomarkers
  • Experience in assay development and implementation in a CLIA laboratory environment
  • Familiarity with molecular pathology tests using different nucleic acid-based methods
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

5. BS in Microbiology with 8 years of Experience

  • Possess knowledge and experience in related scientific disciplines, e.g., Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Bacteriology and Virology or related biology/technology disciplines
  • Life sciences industry experience (such as cell and molecular biology, human molecular genetics, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Bacteriology and Virology), especially in assay development, bioanalytics, and development and/or manufacturing of biotherapeutics
  • Extensive experience with cell and molecular biology techniques and bioanalytical method development and execution (e.g., qPCR, bioanalyzers, fragmentation, sequencing, MS, chromatographic methods)
  • Experience in leading method transfer, method validation and method verification of bioanalytical assays
  • Experience in validating bioassays in a Good Clinical Laboratory Practice setting
  • Good understanding and working experience of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines
  • Understanding of international standards and guidelines related to lot release of vaccines and biologics testing
  • Good understanding of occupational safety, health rules and regulations
  • Experience with laboratory information management systems and data integrity requirements 
  • Proficient in MS Office applications
  • Ability to identify, communicate and resolve complex issues
  • Ability to build good relationships with diverse teams and lead teams effectively
  • Strong multitasking abilities to complete activities in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent organisational skills, project management, and ability to prioritise and effectively deliver results within target timelines
  • Excellent financial management skills
  • Ability to manage stress and balance competing demands in a high-throughput environment

6. BS in Chemistry with 6 years of Experience

  • Experience in a clinical laboratory
  • Strong knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements
  • Ability to handle difficult situations involving physicians, clients, or others in a professional manner
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Proven team-building skills
  • Working experiences in a Molecular diagnosis laboratory
  • Prior experience and knowledge of accreditation 
  • Excited by the research and development of the latest NGS techniques
  • Good personal integrity, responsible and trustworthy
  • Good team player with good interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, fluent in both English and Chinese

7. BS in Genetics with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience directing a clinical laboratory
  • Experience in High-Complexity Laboratory Testing
  • Experience in complex molecular diagnostic techniques
  • Hands-on experience with Next-Generation Sequencing assays and review of metagenomic data analysis
  • Experience with developing a Quality Management Program for Clinical NGS testing
  • Must work effectively with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, physicians, and lab technologists
  • Strong knowledge of accreditation and regulatory requirements 
  • Strong knowledge of applicable laws and guidelines of laboratory and personnel management (CLIA, HIPAA, CAP, CMS, OIG, FMLA, ADA, etc.) 
  • Strong computer skills and the ability to learn and use new information technology
  • Strong project management skills, strategic planning skills and change management skills 
  • Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and electronic)

8. BS in Biomedical Science with 4 years of Experience

  • Pharmacy practice experience or a pharmacy practice residency
  • Must be eligible for licensure in the State of Washington
  • Experience/knowledge in/of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics
  • Strong leadership qualities
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Attention to detail, excellent skills in critical thinking
  • Problem-solving and the ability to make independent decisions
  • Prior oncology knowledge/experience
  • Experience involving analytical assays for quantitation of drug compounds, such as GC-MSD, LC-MSD, and/or HPLC
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in accomplishing objectives in a complex organization

9. BS in Biotechnology with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience in a clinical laboratory in the appropriate discipline(s)
  • Proven ability to work with others
  • Proven team-building skills and excellent communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Knowledge of laboratory information systems
  • Strong knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Discipline-specific technical knowledge and expertise
  • Prior supervisory experience 
  • Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of principles of financial management necessary to ensure the appropriate stewardship of university resources
  • Must have demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities 
  • Ability to make independent decisions and effectively communicate decisions and rationale to leadership
  • Must possess the ability to interact effectively with a large group of diverse individuals
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer systems and adept at learning new software programs

10. BS in Molecular Biology with 9 years of Experience

  • Experience in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory setting, analyzing, interpreting and reporting clinical genetic/genomic data
  • Working experience in management 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Experience leading a laboratory offering prenatal screening and evaluating, interpreting, and reporting out NGS and microarray data
  • Familiarity with next-generation sequencing, and/or knowledge of advanced methods of copy number detection
  • Strong background in human and medical genetics, and oncology, with a familiarity with online human genomics
  • Understanding of statistical measures utilized in genetic testing and screening
  • Leadership experience in the field of Life Sciences
  • Solid experience in managing a commercial laboratory with HOLKAS / ISO / CAP accredited biotechnological/clinical/genetic laboratory 
  • Excellent business sense and leadership skills gained in a commercial laboratory setting
  • Proven track record in driving positive changes and managing crises effectively
  • Detail-minded, team-based player who can multitask
  • Previous experience in setting up and operating an off-site laboratory under a tight time frame
  • Flexible and adaptive to a dynamic and entrepreneurial culture
  • Strong analytical and practical skills in a laboratory setting, with a great command of English and Chinese