Chief Operating Officer (m/f/x)

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Deputy Director – Ref°580

Permanent contract (CDI) – full-time (40 h/week) – Entry date: As soon as possible

We are currently seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a strong scientific background and proven senior leadership skills to oversee the day-to-day operational functions of the LNS. As Deputy Director, the COO is a strategic and operational thought partner to the CEO, the CFAO/Deputy Director, and to the Board of Directors. He/she effectively supports production and service activities, plans and monitors the running of business to ensure smooth and sustainable progress, and directly oversees the six medical/scientific departments. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and increasing the efficiency of LNS operations in order to accelerate the institution’s development and secure its long-term success.

ABOUT THE LABORATOIRE NATIONAL DE SANTÉ (LNS)

The LNS is a major player in Luxembourg’s healthcare sector, serving the country’s patients, doctors and hospitals. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Security, the LNS is a multidisciplinary public institution organized around six medical/scientific departments, two of which are designated as national diagnostic centers for human genetics and pathology respectively.

The LNS employs over 400 highly qualified staff with diverse professional backgrounds. Its main purpose is to develop analytical activities and scientific expertise relating to the prevention, diagnosis and monitoring of human diseases; to act as the national control or reference laboratory; and to carry out forensic missions. The LNS collaborates closely with the University of Luxembourg and other biomedical research institutions, both nationally and internationally, on research and teaching activities.

In the field of diagnostics, the LNS covers medical biology, microbiology, forensic medicine, environmental and occupational medicine, morphological and molecular pathology, and clinical genetics, including state-of-the-art sequencing for rare diseases, oncology and pathogens. The LNS is a key institutional stakeholder in national public health programs, in particular the National Rare Disease Plan and the National Cancer Plan.

THE ROLE

As COO and Deputy Director, you will occupy a central position in the LNS leadership team. You will act as the operational backbone of the organisation, translating strategic objectives set by the CEO and the Board into concrete plans, processes and outcomes across all departments. You will participate to the management committee, drive cross-departmental collaboration, and ensure that the LNS consistently meets its quality, scientific, financial and public-service obligations.

This is a high-impact leadership position that requires both a strong scientific understanding of laboratory medicine and the managerial maturity to run a complex, accredited, multidisciplinary institution in a regulated public-sector environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the responsibility of the CEO and in close collaboration with the CFAO and the heads of the six medical/scientific departments, your main responsibilities will include:

Operational leadership:

• Lead and coordinate the six medical/scientific departments, ensuring alignment with the overall LNS strategy and institutional goals.
• Closely collaborate with the CEO and the CFAO on strategic, operational and financial matters.
• Plan and monitor the day-to-day running of operations to ensure smooth, efficient and resilient progress.
• Evaluate regularly the efficiency of business procedures according to organisational objectives and drive continuous improvement.
• Use performance metrics and KPIs to monitor laboratory performance and achieve quality, productivity, revenue and margin targets.

Strategy & Innovation

• Participate in the board meetings and report on operational matters within your domain of competence.
• Define and oversee the innovation strategy based on the overall LNS roadmap and verify its execution as planned.
• Use digital approaches and data to increase organisational capabilities, deliver efficiencies, improve operational robustness and foster a “digital culture” and data-driven approach within the LNS.
• Drive the adoption of new diagnostic methods, technologies and laboratory information management systems.

People, culture & stakeholder relations

• Lead operations to advance strategy, culture, talent development and quality, with an emphasis on productivity and continuous improvement.
• Promote an inclusive, high-performance working environment and support the professional development of staff across all departments.
• Represent the LNS in relevant expert groups and working groups, both nationally and internationally, including interactions with the Ministry of Health and Social Security, hospitals, professional associations and European bodies.

PROFILE

Qualifications & Experience

• MD, Pharmacist-Biologist, PhD or equivalent medical/scientific professional qualification in a field related to LNS activities.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership position within the health or life sciences ecosystem.
• Leadership experience in a clinical or diagnostic laboratory environment would be a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Luxembourg healthcare system and its regulatory landscape would be a significant advantage.
• Previous experience in running complex, multi-departmental operations, preferably in a laboratory or hospital setting.

General Leadership & Management Competencies

• Strategic thinking and vision: ability to translate the LNS mission and national health policy context into a coherent operational strategy and implementation roadmap, setting clear priorities and aligning resources accordingly.
• Process management: ability to analyse workflows and operational processes and to systematically increase efficiency, reduce waste and standardise best practices across departments.
• Change management: demonstrated ability to lead organisational transformation and guide staff through technological, structural or cultural transitions while maintaining operational continuity and staff engagement.
• Stakeholder management: skilled at building and maintaining productive working relationships with internal stakeholders (department heads, board, CEO, CFAO) and external parties including the Ministry of Health and Social Security, hospitals, the University of Luxembourg, national agencies and international reference networks.
• Talent development and people leadership: proven experience in recruiting, mentoring and retaining highly qualified scientific and administrative personnel; ability to cultivate an inclusive, high-performance culture across a multidisciplinary workforce of over 400 staff.
• Financial acumen: solid understanding of budget planning, resource allocation and cost-efficiency in a public-sector or institutional environment; ability to work closely with the CFAO to monitor financial performance, identify risks and meet budgetary targets.
• Decision-making under uncertainty: capacity to make sound, evidence-based decisions in complex and time-sensitive situations, drawing on quantitative data analytics as well as professional and scientific judgement.
• Team integration and collaborative leadership: proven ability to integrate into and strengthen an existing senior leadership team, fostering mutual trust, shared accountability and a culture of open, constructive dialogue.

Specific Competencies for a National Diagnostic Laboratory

• Quality management and accreditation: deep knowledge of laboratory quality systems (ISO 15189, 17025 & 9001) and the ability to oversee regulatory compliance across multiple accredited departments; hands-on experience with external accreditation audits, proficiency testing programs and continuous improvement cycles.
• Regulatory and public health governance: thorough understanding of Luxembourg’s legal and regulatory framework governing public health institutions, including the LNS founding law of 7 August 2012, and ability to navigate the requirements of the Ministry of Health and Social Security as supervisory authority. Knowledge of EU frameworks is an asset.
• Multidisciplinary laboratory coordination: proven ability to oversee and coordinate highly specialised departments spanning medical biology, microbiology, anatomic and molecular pathology, genetics, forensic medicine and environmental/occupational health protection, ensuring workflow synergies and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Digital transformation and LIS/LIMS: hands-on experience with the implementation or optimisation of laboratory information management systems (LIMS/LIS), electronic health record integration, and data-driven approaches to laboratory operations; ability to champion digitalisation aligned with Luxembourg’s national health IT agenda.
• Biosafety and risk management: thorough understanding of biosafety regulations, containment levels (BSL 1–3) and risk management frameworks applicable to a multidisciplinary diagnostic and forensic laboratory environment, including the handling of infectious materials and sensitive medico-legal samples.
• Research, innovation and academic partnership management: ability to support and coordinate translational research activities in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, the national cancer and rare disease programmes, and international biomedical networks; experience in applying for and managing research grants or public–private partnerships is a distinct asset.
• Patient- and citizen-centred mindset: strong personal commitment to the LNS mission of serving patients, clinicians, hospitals and public health authorities in Luxembourg, with sensitivity to the ethical, confidentiality and equity dimensions of diagnostic medicine, genetic counselling and forensic activities.

Personal Skills & Languages

• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities; outstanding communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with working knowledge of data analysis, performance metrics and operational reporting.
• IT skills: proficiency in MS Office suite, ERP/management control software and familiarity with LIMS platforms.
• High level of integrity, initiative, adaptability and professional resilience; comfortable operating in a complex, regulated, public-sector environment.
• Must be flexible, available and reliable, with the capacity to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Language skills: fluency in both English and French is mandatory. Proficiency in Luxembourgish and/or German would be strong additional assets.

WHAT WE OFFER

A senior executive role with real strategic and operational impact at the heart of Luxembourg’s national health system.

• A stimulating, multidisciplinary scientific environment with a team of over 400 highly qualified professionals.
• Close collaboration with national and international institutions, academic partners and public health authorities.
• A permanent full-time contract with competitive remuneration.
• Opportunities for professional development, continuing education and participation in international expert networks.

HOW TO APPLY

If you meet the above profile and wish to apply, please submit your application — comprising a CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience — via Moovijob.com. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis; early submission is encouraged. Your application will be treated with full confidentiality.

At the final stages of the recruitment process, the successful candidate will be asked to provide supporting documentation including copies of diplomas and certificates of employment. An official criminal record (bulletin no. 3) will also be required for consultation purposes.