Director of Pathology

The Director of Pathology will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the Pathology Department, overseeing and contributing to the histological evaluation of preclinical safety and efficacy studies. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards in pathology services, fostering a high-performance team culture, and driving operational efficiency. The Director will act as a scientific and business leader, engaging with key stakeholders and regulatory bodies, providing expert scientific interpretation, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

The candidate will be an experienced pathologist and dynamic leader who can balance scientific excellence with operational execution, financial stewardship, and strategic engagement with clients and partners.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operational Management

• Supervise and mentor a team of pathologists, anatomic pathology staff, clinical pathology staff, and other laboratory personnel, fostering an environment of scientific innovation,

continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Oversee the department’s strategic growth initiatives, including expansion of service offerings, development of new technologies (e.g., digital pathology, AI-assisted pathology), and enhancement of pathology-based research capabilities.
• Lead organization development efforts, ensuring alignment of departmental objectives with corporate goals.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure department efficiency, scientific impact, and client satisfaction.
• Ensure financial stewardship, including budget planning, cost control, and revenue optimization for pathology services.

Team Leadership and Development

• Directly supervise, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of pathologists, clinical pathology staff, and support personnel.
• Work with Southern Research’s Workforce Development team to implement a structured talent development framework, ensuring team members receive ongoing training, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, empowering staff to take ownership of their contributions while maintaining high-quality pathology services.

Client and External Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary scientific liaison for pathology-related engagements with clients, regulatory agencies, and external collaborators.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring exceptional service delivery, scientific rigor, and responsiveness to project needs.
• Represent the organization at scientific conferences, industry events, and regulatory engagements, promoting thought leadership in pathology.
• Actively contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing, pricing strategies, and expansion of client partnerships.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with internal SOPs, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and all applicable regulatory guidelines (FDA, EMA, ICH) governing pathology services.
• Lead quality control initiatives, ensuring laboratory operations meet or exceed industry standards for accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility.
• Drive process improvements, optimizing laboratory workflows and implementing best practices in pathology assessment and reporting.
• Oversee validation/qualification of computer systems, equipment, and assays used in anatomic and clinical pathology.

Scientific and Technical Expertise

• Provide expert pathological evaluations, including macroscopic and microscopic assessments, to support preclinical safety and efficacy studies.
• Participate in necropsy evaluations, tissue analysis, reviewing and interpreting pathology data, and writing Contributing Scientist Reports.
• Evaluate and interpret pathology findings in context with a range of additional endpoints (e.g., clinical pathology, IHC, special stains, etc.).
• Retain currency in field of specialization by staying abreast of changes, both internal and external, which affect the operation of the group.
• Provide veterinary care assistance as needed, including within the Animal/Biosafety Level-3 (A/BSL-3) facility.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with toxicologists, pharmacologists, regulatory affairs specialists, and study directors to ensure seamless integration of pathology findings into preclinical studies.
• Work with Environmental Health and Safety to implement and observe appropriate safety and health practices including personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe laboratory practices.
• Collaborate with the executive leadership team to shape the company’s overall scientific strategy and operational priorities.
• May be asked to serve on internal ad hoc committees as well as external review committees.
• Perform other duties as may be required by senior level management.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with 5 years of leadership experience in preclinical pathology within a contract research organization, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of regulatory guidelines (GLP, FDA, EMA, ICH).
• Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (DACVP) required.
• Must be willing to meet entry requirements for the A/BSL 1–3 facility, which includes wearing protective clothing (e.g., N95 and PAPR) for extended periods of time, to fulfill veterinary and pathology responsibilities.
• Must possess ability to interact and communicate effectively with staff members, other Institute personnel, clients, and customers.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing teams, managing pathology operations, and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Knowledge of business acumen and practices; ability to understand and apply cost and financial accounting concepts.
• Experience with the various aspects of clinical pathology is preferred.
• Experience in digital pathology, AI-assisted pathology analysis, or biomarker development is preferred.

Core Values
Cultivating human connection – putting people first. We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone. We believe the world’s most powerful resource is human potential. We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of though go hand in hand. We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.
Operating with precise execution – measuring what matters and owning results as a team. We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science. We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset. We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work. We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.
Harnessing relentless curiosity – our unstoppable, innovative force. We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge. We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives. We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.
Stewarding a healthy community – implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment. We don’t compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community. We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities. We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.

Job Specific Behaviors
Strategic Decision Making – Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints and resources.
Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customer’s expectations.
Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function. Possess skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.
Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.
Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focused outcomes. Demands excellence. Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.
Change Leadership - Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.
Coaches / Develops Others - Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action.
Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of Institute’s culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
DACVP (required)
Ability to meet A/BSL-3 facility requirements, including use of protective equipment for extended periods.