Assistant Director of Lab Operations - Philadelphia, PA
Full Time
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Posted
Job description
Are you excited to create an incredible environment and experience for users of a shared wet lab, to be responsible for a dynamic lab space to ensure uninterrupted and seamless operations and making changes and improvements, and to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment? Do you like to offer solutions to the problems you see, test approaches to make continuous improvements, and support a collaborative team?
CIC seeks a highly capable, action-oriented and team-motivated individual to supervise a team and the day-to-day operations of shared wet lab space and equipment on behalf of many users and projects. This is a great opportunity for you if you have at least five years of hands-on experience in a lab environment, at least three years of supervisory experience, want to make a difference with the opportunity for growth, and are motivated by exceeding expectations.
ABOUT CIC
CIC is a global leader in building and operating innovation communities. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, CIC is one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and coworking options, providing a platform for the world’s most impactful entrepreneurs to innovate better and faster.
We have locations in Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Providence, Rotterdam, St. Louis, Warsaw, and Tokyo and are growing into other cities, within the US and abroad. CIC has supported over 6,000 startups, growth companies, and branches of larger organizations, representing for-profit, mission-driven, and non-profit sectors across a wide array of industries.
CIC co-founded a number of mission-aligned organizations including Venture Café, CIC’s primary non-profit programming partner, and CIC Health, offering COVID-19 testing services to companies and the public.
We invite you to explore all our openings and learn more about our teams here.
ABOUT CIC PHILADELPHIA
CIC Philadelphia is located within uCity Square at 3675 Market Street, alongside our local partner, the University City Science Center. At 3675 Market, we offer world-class offices and one of the largest shared wet lab facilities in the nation, while the Science Center supports its nationally recognized technology commercialization programs, as well as new programs focused on mentoring, funding, strategy development and resources to accelerate businesses from idea to IPO and beyond.
Our shared wet labs provide science start-ups a way to get to work and leave the operational details with us. With ample space, a wide range of equipment, basic lab supplies and inventory, and a dedicated team, our clients can keep their focus on the critical parts of their business while we do the rest. We staff our shared wet lab space to support and consolidate logistics, to enforce environmental health and safety protocols, and to provide access, orientation and guidance on the proper handling of all our shared lab equipment.
Together with the University City Science Center, we serve Philadelphia’s startups and serial entrepreneurs, aiming to catalyze and accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Greater Philadelphia. We are motivated by our amazing clients and aim to meet their needs every day.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
You will join our shared lab team as one of the day-to-day leaders of the team. Your work is a mix of operations, equipment, facilities, and supervision of the labs team, including delegation of tasks. As an Assistant Director, you also hold responsibility for our clients’ experience while partnering with our shared workspace teams.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Manage and mentor the lab team personnel. Carry out scheduled weekly check-ins with all direct reports. Plan and lead weekly Lab team meetings and daily standup meetings. Prioritize lab staff activities (routine tasks, special projects, and initiatives). Be aware of and responsible for the team’s workload, resources, morale, and training needs. Advocate for the team’s needs with upper management. Handle administrative tasks such as time sheets, reviews, etc.
- Work directly with the Director of Lab Operations to manage ongoing operations and improvement projects. Master onsite facilities offerings, including equipment. Ensure operations are running smoothl. Manage cross-team meetings and communication. Work closely with the Director of Lab Operations on goals/action items for cross-team syncs.
- Own Lab Team OKR management.
- Own SOPM creation and maintenance/implementation.
- Master service-oriented tasks such as lab move-ins/move-outs, lab setup, and equipment troubleshooting. Train team members on completing client requests and delegate appropriately.
- Build strong relationships with our amazing clients who are working on innovative and cutting-edge research projects. Handle difficult client requests or encounters to maintain overall service quality and client satisfaction. Engage our clients through promoting and hosting community building events. Participate and lead prospective client tours.
- Oversee inventory management, including equipment and consumables. Help develop and implement inventory system.
- Maintain vendor relationships. Research and implement new services, vendors, and community improvements.
- Serve as the primary Environmental Health and Safety point person (Biosafety Officer/Emergency lead). Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations, work closely with Lab Client lead on lab client training, and work closely with Equipment and Facilities lead to ensure facility compliance.
- Partner with the Sales/Events team on client/sponsor events & projects.
ABOUT YOU
You learn fast, and you are willing and able to dive right in and figure it out when you aren’t familiar with a piece of equipment or scientific technique. You are self-motivated, value accountability and systems, and want to be a part of troubleshooting and solutions.
We like to employ service-minded people who are independent, clever problem-solvers. If you fit this profile, and have also developed the leadership and supervisory skills important to a team-based environment, this might be the perfect opportunity. This will be a job for a balanced, self-confident, down-to-earth individual. We are a team-based company, and your performance will be evaluated by your team members.
Our ideal candidate will:
- Have the ability to mentor and coach junior Lab team members by leading by example and modeling respectful, professional behavior.
- Utilize critical thinking to troubleshoot and provide solutions to problems as they arise. Provide potential solutions, and act independently to apply solutions.
- Be willing, able, and happy to help; service-minded on a path of continuous learning.
- Have experience in operations oversight in a fast-paced environment.
- Remain personable and calm in any environment.
- Be reliable, clever, and able to work independently to connect the dots.
- Be able to juggle many tasks and pay close attention to detail.
- Be driven to keep order around you.
- Look around corners and anticipate potential hold-ups.
- Communicate creatively and effectively with your team and clients, in person and in writing.
- Proactively seek out and master new skills.
- Explore and balance multiple perspectives on a situation or solutions to a problem.
- Be excited and eager to merge work that is lab/tech focused with relationship building and client-facing work.
- Possess a natural interest for helping others and solving problems.
- Value equity and treat all staff equitably.
YOU HAVE
- A college degree in laboratory science, chemistry, biology or another life science, or equivalent work experience; advanced degree preferred.
- At least 5 years of hands-on lab experience.
- At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
- The ability to lift over 40 pounds and work on your feet for several hours at a time.
- Experience working with biohazardous material and/or working in a Biosafety Level 2 lab are a big plus.
- Certifications in EHS, management/supervision a plus.
- An interest in a long-term role—we are a growing company, and we like folks to grow with us.
- Availability to work 9–5 Monday through Friday, as well as rotating week-day holiday coverage and oncall weekend coverage.
If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills and experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply and highlight those attributes for us in your cover letter.
OUR OFFER
- Starting compensation is commensurate with experience.
- 100% company-paid premium healthcare and dental benefits.
- 100% company-paid long- and short-term disability, and life insurance.
- 401k (must be 21+).
- Three weeks of vacation (more with seniority) plus thirteen holidays from the start.
ATTRACTIONS OF THE JOB
In addition to helping our clients achieve great things, we work to ensure that our employees are healthy and supported.
Some of the benefits of being here include:
- Fun people in a dynamic space; we pride ourselves on finding driven and bright collaborators who are eager to lend their own unique skills to the team, as well as to our inspiring clientele. The number one reason people say they like working here is because of their colleagues!
- Personal growth; this is a great opportunity to learn and develop skills within the epicenter of the innovation community at a growing company.
- Discounted services and memberships on tools to make your life happier/healthier such as gym memberships, tech and design support, hotel stays, and other fantastic options.
- Free weekly COVID-19 testing when required to work on site.
We are committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the cities we support. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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