Job Description

JR101999

Senior Manager, Laboratory

Location: PHO Corporate Office & Toronto Laboratory, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, ON

Department: High Volume Testing and Preventable Disease

The Role:

To provide leadership in the management and administration of a laboratory portfolio (multiple laboratory sites or multiple laboratory departments or province-wide service) to include functions such as diagnostic services, incident and outbreak response, surveillance programs, research and development, customer service, quality assurance, safety, stakeholder relations, planning, human resources, facilities, budgets and other special projects as assigned, ensuring deliverables, resources and service requirements are met.

Key Responsibilities-

Provides information and advice to senior leadership in areas such as performance measurement, benchmarking, and risk assessment/management, business improvement, change management and other program evaluation and service management. Works with other PHO Laboratory services to optimize operational links and efficiencies, and effectively support research, surveillance, method development, quality management, business development, business process improvement, other PHO Laboratory and PHO projects. Prepares and presents required information necessary for monthly and quarterly reviews such as balanced score cards, performance indicators (KPIs), workload and cost centre monthly reports, annual management review documents. Provides advice and support to reporting laboratory managers on operations management practices to improve accountability and cost effectiveness of operations. Provides direct response and coordination related to outbreak and other emergent events which can require independent judgement, immediate action, and escalation to senior leadership or require medical and scientific staff input. Provides facilitation to gather input from or inform medical and scientific, senior leadership, management, and other PHO staff to ensure portfolio objectives are aligned with PHO Laboratory and PHO plans. Prepares capital equipment and facility requests for the areas of responsibility and recommends assignment of priority ranking of requests; oversees procurement processes for areas of responsibility; identifies and implements strategies to reduce costs, eliminate redundant equipment, optimize staff productivity, and use LEAN practices to find operational efficiencies. Implements best practice protocols across the areas of responsibility, striving for highest quality and standardization based on the requirements of PHO Laboratory quality management system, regulatory and accreditation requirements. Identifies and monitors interdisciplinary quality improvement mechanisms, processes and outcome indicators related to quality service, teaching and research and regularly reports on progress. Oversees and leads the continued development of quality improvement activities, including the promotion of innovation and creativity in the ongoing review, streamlining and standardization of processes. Ensures that that all laboratory testing meets accreditation standards as set out by AC Diagnostics (ACD) and Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). Completes annual licensing application (MOH and MCP Lab Licensing) and reviews test menu to ensure that all testing is appropriately licensed for area of responsibility. Analyses workload trends, determines their implications for operations, and provides recommendation to the operational directors to increase/decrease staffing and equipment, changes in services. Provides outreach and customer service/client management to partners, clients, members of the public and other stakeholders, e.g., public health units, hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians, laboratories, clinics, academic partners etc. to promote the development of high-quality reliable laboratory services. Establishes and fosters effective communication mechanisms across the PHO Laboratory program as related to operational issues. Supports implementation of approved research studies and method development in conjunction with medical and scientific staff. Participates on appropriate committees and work teams to advance PHO Laboratory activities and to ensure broad stakeholder input where appropriate, e.g., public health units, hospitals, Institutions, long-term care facilities, physicians, laboratories, clinics etc. Represents PHO as the senior manager within a defined geographic area, service area(s), or project acting as a coordinator for access to broad PHO services including laboratory testing, surveillance, infection prevention and control etc. Serves as a link between senior leadership team, managers/regional managers and staff while maintaining a high level of communication across the organization. Responds in a timely manner to customer concerns or complaints and ensures appropriate documentation and communication processes are maintained. Develops program operational plan and goals in support of PHO's overall Annual Business Plan and Strategic Plan. Manages budget, service and performance indicators and ensures consistency in corporate requirements and approval processes for financial, human resources, information technology, operational and business planning functions. Builds and leads teams of multi-disciplinary staff in support of PHO's activities. Manages staff, congruent with PHO internal policies and procedures, professional standards, Collective Agreement requirements and other relevant standards, legislation or regulations. Assigns staff responsibilities setting clear performance objectives and measures, evaluating performance; advises on training needs, participates in recruiting/selection of staff; addresses performance and disciplinary issues, responding to grievances in conjunction with PHO Human Resources management programs; establishes and implements work/vacation schedule; builds and leads a team of multi-disciplinary staff who support PHO's activities. Models organizational values and organizational culture and embeds values into area of responsibility. Act as a designated lead and/or subject matter expert on cross functional PHO teams to ensure linkages and collaboration across PHO. Represents the Unit, its initiatives and services and PHO in consultations, relationships and collaborative partnerships with government, other provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, professional associations and other academic and community partners. Liaises with Ministry staff on planning and performance matters where applicable. Ensures alignment of unit goals, objectives and activities with other PHO initiatives, goals and objectives. Contributes to the development and implementation of the department's mandate and operating procedures by taking a significant role in the identification of new programs and projects that fit PHO's mandate; suggests areas for improvement in internal processes along with possible solutions. Keeps abreast of the latest research and developments in area of specialty within PHO and at other agencies. Supports PHO in the provision of response in an emergency, pursuant to responsibilities as delegated in an emergency response plan; supports PHO's 24/7 incident and emergency response through shared participation in on-call schedule, as required. Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge-

Knowledge of principles and practices of Microbiology in a public health setting. Knowledge of PHO and the services it provides to the health care community to provide leadership in the management and administration of multiple laboratory sites or multiple laboratory programs or province-wide service, ensuring deliverables, resources and service requirements are met. Knowledge of Public Health Laboratory programs, standards, policies, applicable legislation, and current issues affecting operations to recommend policies and improvements and contribute to long/short term planning. Knowledge of the roles and authority of the various stakeholders in the medical laboratory system, e.g., private laboratories, hospitals, health care providers, and health units, to manage operations and develop operational strategies/solutions for the programs in the context of the system as a whole. Knowledge of modern management methodologies including, planning, resource management, business and financial analysis, human resources management, performance management, risk assessment and management, information management, business process improvement, change management to effectively manage all business and operational functions/accountabilities of the laboratory portfolio. Understanding of current industry information systems particularly as they apply to laboratory services to enhance and modernize the quality and delivery of laboratory services. Computer skills and good understanding of software including word-processing, database, spreadsheet, project management, presentation, e-mail, and Internet applications to analyze information, prepare reports, and establish/utilize tools which support the analysis and monitoring of operations. Demonstrated organizational skills including priority setting and time management to manage multiple, concurrent issues and projects and provide direction to the reporting staff. Demonstrated ability to implement operational changes in an effective and efficient manner. Management experience within a unionized environment is preferred Experience with quality improvement tools such as LEAN principles, TQM/CQI, Six Sigma is preferred.

Education and Experience-

Practising certificate of registration with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) in good standing. Six (6) years of relevant lab experience. Five (5) years of progressive management experience. Master's degree in business or a discipline within laboratory medicine or related experience is preferred.

Attributes and Competencies-

Oral and written communication skills, e.g., to prepare comprehensive business proposals, briefings and reports, develop informational materials, and make presentations to management and stakeholder forums. Interpersonal communication skills to support PHO surveillance, projects, research and day-to-day needs for outbreak and incident management. Interpersonal communication skills to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with operations director and senior leadership team, medical and clinical microbiologists as well as resources at multiple levels in the organization. Ensures there is a communication system within the section to inform the staff of internal and external events and or processes. Interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish change across PHO/PHO Laboratory departments and program areas e.g., technological changes, extension of operating hours, laboratory optimization and leaning exercises etc.
Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group: Manager

Posting Date: 11-7-2025

Closing Date: 11-22-2025

Please note:

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $35.00-$50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 36.25 per week

Work Location: In person