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Business Support
Seattle, Washington, United States
06/06/24
Lab & Site Operations Manager
Using living cells to treat – and sometimes even cure – cancer is one of the most dramatic advances in modern medicine. Patients with hematologic malignancies have been successfully treated with cell therapies. However, these profound results have not yet been achieved in patients with solid tumors, representing approximately 90% of all cancers. At Lyell, our goal is to change that. We are a clinical-stage T-cell reprogramming company advancing a diverse pipeline of cell therapies for solid tumors based on our innovative technologies. We were founded by cell therapy pioneers whose decades of research elevated the broader understanding of T-cell biology and its interaction with cancer. In our quest to defeat solid tumors, we have built a fully integrated company capable of discovering new technologies, translating science into therapies, manufacturing cell therapy products, and clinically evaluating them in patients. Our culture is based on Science, Respect, Collaboration, and Courage and reflects who we are, the environment we create, and our mission's urgency.
The individual in this role will support the Seattle Process Sciences and Research laboratories, some of which are highly specialized. This role manages laboratory supplies, equipment installation, calibration, repair and maintenance, and asset management. The incumbent requires technical skills and laboratory management expertise and will have mentorship responsibilities and cross-functional support. This role is also responsible for the oversight and support of the site-based Shipping & Receiving, Site Operations and Facilities support activities.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Laboratory Management:
- Maintain high laboratory equipment performance through quality standards.
- Operate, test, and calibrate analytical instruments; organize maintenance and calibration by authorized technicians when needed.
- Drive efficiency, productivity, and quality improvements by planning and implementing system, process, and procedure enhancements.
- Collaborate closely with lab users to understand needs, formulate support strategies, and execute projects effectively. Communicate significant laboratory events affecting operations and compliance to laboratory leaders.
- Collaborate with departmental leaders to align lab goals with overall organizational strategies.
- Ensure adherence to safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and regulatory standards.
- Lead regulatory, safety, finance, and asset audits as needed and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Develop training programs where applicable to enhance lab members' technical prowess and knowledge.
- Contribute technical expertise to data analysis, troubleshooting, and result interpretation on the use of equipment.
- Manage inventory, procurement, and budgeting related to laboratory supplies and equipment.
- Streamline workflows, optimize resource utilization, and drive process improvements.
- Contract management for equipment maintenance and other vendor contracts.
Site Operations & Facility Infrastructure:
- Manage the day-to-day operation and maintenance of Lyell’s office and laboratory facilities, including management of building utilities (HVAC, compressed gasses, plumbing, power, lighting, etc.), security, access control, and corporate services.
- Collaborate with EH&S to establish and promote safety procedures and practices affecting building facilities and utilities.
- Represent facility operations on the site’s safety committee.
- Manage service providers and vendor contracts related to the maintenance, calibration, and repair of facility and utility equipment and building systems.
- Liaise with landlord and property management regarding building-related issues and central house utilities.
- Respond to and troubleshoot general maintenance requests and on-demand issues affecting operations (incl. on-call emergencies).
- Establish and manage the site’s facility and utility practices, policies, and procedures.
- Maintain pertinent documentation and equipment files, including drawings, O&M manuals, and service records.
- Manage office and laboratory space planning activities, including desk allocation and assignments, occupancy forecasting, laboratory utilization, management of office relocations and moves, and creating short-term and long-term tactical plans.
- Provide service resolution on employee facility-related requests.
- Provide backup support for employee physical access, key cards, and restricted access.
- Responsible for overall surveillance density, standards, and security protocols during regular and emergencies.
- Oversee daily site Shipping & Receiving (S&R) staff and activities, partnering with contracted S&R staff when necessary to resolve issues or discrepancies.
- Identify opportunities for improvement to streamline S&R operations further, partnering with the Director, Facilities & Lab Operations to implement changes.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Foster a collaborative environment, facilitating open communication and knowledge exchange among lab members and external collaborators.
- As appropriate, represent the team at industry conferences and meetings, highlighting the team's contributions and achievements.
PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- BA/BSc in a life science discipline or related field with a minimum of 7 years relevant experience
- MA/MSc in a life science discipline or related field with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience
- Experience in laboratory management, research, or project management.
- Experience creating and maintaining specific research environments, such as clean rooms, specifically ordered labs, etc
- Implementing laboratory management systems, preferably in a startup environment
- Experience working in and maintaining Biological Safety Level 2 environments.
- Effective communication and solid interpersonal acumen.
- Ability to mentor and cultivate the professional development of junior researchers.
- Proficiency in the operation of laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and safety protocols.
- Organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
- Demonstrated aptitude for collaborative teamwork and dedication to continuous
Lyell offers its employees a range of compensation and benefits. To assist you with your decision to apply for this role, the following decision to apply for this role, the following information and links to our site highlight our competitive market position and support to our employees and their dependents. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $150,000 annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan.
Our Employee Benefits program is extensive and includes subsidized medical, dental, and vision plans from your first day of employment, FSA, Company provided Life and AD&D Insurance as well as STD and LTD Insurance, ESPP, a 401(k) Plan with Company match, mass transit commuter benefits, cell phone reimbursement and a range of supplemental benefits that you may choose to elect. Our paid time-off benefits include 18 days’ vacation, 9 days’ sick leave, 8 observed holidays, and a floating holiday. We also have a summer and a winter office shutdown. More information on our extensive benefits offering can be found here.
At Lyell, the highest-performing teams include people from various backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse, inclusive culture for all employees. Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.
We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly. If you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.