Join a Cancer Genomics Service at the Forefront of Personalised Medicine
The Synnovis Cancer Genetics Laboratory provides adult solid tumour testing for the Southeast Genomic Medicine Service (SEGMS) including a pioneering circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) service and a high-volume Measurable Residual Disease testing for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia patients (AML MRD).
An Exceptional Leadership Opportunity
We are seeking a Technical Laboratory Manager to lead and coordinate the technical sections of this rapidly evolving service.
They will lead day-to-day laboratory operations, champion quality, oversee equipment and resource management, and play a pivotal role in recruitment, training, workforce planning, and service development. Empowering the technical leadership team to ensure colleagues are supported to develop while maintaining highest standards of service performance and patient care
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is passionate about developing people and services, with proven ability to balance multiple priorities, implement service improvements, and communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels.
Invest in Your Leadership Journey
At Synnovis, we are committed to developing our people, with an extensive range of leadership and management development opportunities.
If you are excited by service transformation and passionate about developing people, we would love to hear from you.
You will provide operational and technical leadership across all sections of the Cancer Genetics laboratory, ensuring delivery of a high-quality, efficient and patient-focused service.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the day-to-day operational management of the technical laboratory service
- Managing, developing and supporting a multidisciplinary technical workforce
- Establishing and developing a strong technical leadership team
- Driving service improvement initiatives and optimising laboratory processes to enhance efficiency and quality
- Ensuring compliance with ISO15189:2022 standards and laboratory best practice
- Overseeing maintenance of laboratory equipment, procurement, stock management and resource planning to ensure continuity of service and effective budget management
- Working closely with scientific and management teams to support service delivery, workforce planning and strategic service development
- Managing audits, incident investigations, corrective actions and document control
- Supporting the implementation of new genomic technologies, testing pathways and service innovations
- Deputising for the Service Delivery Manager when required
The Cancer Genetics team is comprised of around 50 administrative, scientific, and technical staff within the cytogenetic and molecular genetic laboratories. Testing is provided for patients with a wide range of adult solid tumours and haematological malignancies, delivering diagnostic and prognostic information to inform treatment decisions. The service has recently expanded to include a dedicated circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) testing programme, supporting innovative approaches to cancer monitoring and personalised care.
While the laboratory continues to provide measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the primary focus of service development is now on strengthening and expanding our solid tumour and ctDNA testing capabilities. The laboratory is accredited according to UKAS 15189 standards and is an accredited training centre for the Scientific Training Programme (STP) and the Higher Specialist Training (HSST) programme.
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund, and the Synnovis Academy, through which you can receive funding and support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to launch new innovative scientific projects and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences, and other peer group meetings.
Key Relationships
Service Delivery Manager, Operational Management Team, Quality Manager, Training Lead, Procurement, HR, Learning and Development, external customers and suppliers
Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Management
1. Supervise and manage all aspects of the Cancer Genetics technical laboratory service, according to ISO15189 standards.
2. Responsible for the management, supervision and training of technical and support staff within the Cancer Genetics service.
3. Responsible for the production and management of training documentation in relation to the technical laboratory processes.
4. Liaise with the Lead Technologists to ensure effective day-to-day management of staff and workflows within the laboratory, prioritising workloads and ensuring all required resources are in place to deliver the service within clinically relevant turnaround times.
5. Liaise with the SDM, Quality and Health & Safety Lead and other Technical Laboratory Mangers over organisation of staff across the various sections. Must be able to respond to changing requirements by adjusting plans as required.
6. Implement and maintain a high standard of Health & Safety, COSHH and risk management procedures within the department to comply with local and National standards, including ISO15189:2012
7. Provide daily service status reports to the Service Delivery Manager (SDM) for escalation at the divisional ‘PathRep’ meetings and supply regular progress reports on the delivery of an accurate, modern and efficient diagnostic cancer genetics service.
8. Deputise for the SDM when necessary.
9. Promote and participate in team working and act as a role model to encourage a culture of collaboration and co-operation.
10. Responsible for the production and implementation of suitable rotation plans both within Cancer Genetics and, in collaboration with other technical sections, department-wide.
11. Regularly review laboratory processes and practices to ensure continuing efficiency and effectiveness.
12. Lead in the specified functions of the laboratory;
- Equipment management; development, procurement, validation, service, repair, negotiating contracts, troubleshooting
- Procurement; consumables, contracts, budget management, stock control, authorisation of orders, negotiating with company representatives. This will include contributing to department-wide procurement processes in liaison with other technical sections
- Training; liaise with training managers to ensure personal development plans are in place, planning of technical training delivery and implementation of cross training
- Quality management; health & safety, waste management, risk assessment, incident management, document control
13. Responsible for ensuring continuity of service for planned workflows by enforcing appropriate stock control procedures.
14. Liaise with Clinical Scientist section leads/Deputy Operational Leads and Operational Lead to ensure effective operational management of the cancer genetic workflows.
15. Collaborate with Clinical Scientist colleagues and participate in the development, implementation, training and maintenance of new technology, new ways of working, and streamlined sample pathways to increase throughput and reduce turnaround times and indirect costs
16. Contribute to the development and delivery of a clear operational plan, achieving relevant quality and safety standards, reporting times and activity levels within budget. Plan, manage and organise own workload to meet priorities and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
17. Implement measures for cost improvement and cost effectiveness.
18. Coordinate and lead technical group meetings
19. Attend and actively participate in senior management and other departmental meetings
Scientific, Technical and Analytical
1. Act as a role model to promote a strong ethic of effective team-work resulting in an efficient, highly effective, motivated and capable workforce, ensuring smooth service delivery.
2. Contribute to the cancer genetic technical work in line with own training and competencies.
3. Perform specialist cancer genetic analysis on samples referred to the laboratory, liaising with the Clinical Scientists to ensure accurate and timely interpretation and reporting.
4. Manage, run and perform advanced trouble-shooting and maintenance of equipment.
5. Trouble-shoot technical problems and contribute to implementation of new test strategies.
6. Ensure relevant reagent management, software and hardware solutions for workflows are in place and are maintained/kept up to date.
7. Keep up to date with genomic technologies and applications relating to clinical diagnostic testing and perform literature searches when required.
8. Assess the suitability, implementation and training of new technologies in conjunction with Scientific Lead, Head of Service and appropriate Clinical Scientists.
9. Represent the laboratory at pan Synnovis, GLH and national meetings as appropriate.
10. Contribute to articles for publication where appropriate.
Quality, health & safety and clinical governance
1. Support the Operational Lead in ensuring adherence to the standards required of a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) laboratory accredited to ISO15189:2012 standards and ensure national / best practice standards are met.
2. Monitor the quality and efficiency of service delivery, through internal quality control and audit activities including participation in GenQA and other National External Quality Assurance (NEQAS) schemes in accordance with the department’s quality manual and audit schedule.
3. Participate in service-related quality initiatives and instigate appropriate corrective action in instances of reduced performance.
4. Investigate all incidents and participate in any investigations in accordance with Synnovis and departmental policy.
5. Ensure that all members of staff based in the technical teams abide by all statutory requirements, codes of practice, safety regulations and operational policies of the department and to be aware of these measures as applied to other areas.
6. Report to the Quality Manager and SDM any governance, safety and risk issues and identification of any issues impacting on service standards and delivery and staff safety.
7. Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring risk management and risk reporting strategy within the technical teams is administered appropriately.
8. Perform and review COSHH and risk assessments.
9. Contribute to the creation and modification of appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other departmental policies.
10. Ensure that at all times there are adequate staff, supplies and well-functioning equipment for the efficient provision of the clinical service.
11. Ensure a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the department and adhere to laboratory procedures.
12. Follow and ensure compliance with good laboratory practice (GLP).
Education and training
1. Ensure Registration or Regulatory requirements are met.
2. Identify own professional needs and take steps to further own professional development
3. Responsible for identifying training needs of individuals and groups of staff within the technical teams and promote a culture of continuing professional development.
4. Participate in the training and education of the wider workforce, in cooperation with the Training Lead.
5. Oversee Lead Technologist implementation of training procedures, to include coordination of training materials, seminars, documentation and competence review.
6. Ensure all staff within the technical teams maintain their competency and fulfil all mandatory training requirements.
7. Responsible for compilation of staff rotation plans with the SDM, Operational and section leads.
Workforce Management
1. Responsible for HR management of the technical workforce, including recruitment and selection and regular performance reviews.
2. Line manage the Lead Technologists and/or senior technical staff and participate in their performance management/monitoring.
3. Support the Lead Technologists with the line management of other GTs, MTOs and MLAs.
4. Support and motivate staff within the team to improve efficiency of the workforce.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
