Microbiology Laboratory Manager

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and values-driven Microbiology Laboratory Manager (Band 8b) to join the Pathology Directorate at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. This is a senior operational leadership role within a clinically led service model, responsible for the day‑to‑day delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality Microbiology diagnostic services. Reporting to the Directorate Manager, the postholder will work in close partnership with the Service Clinical Lead and the Directorate Professional Lead as part of a collaborative leadership team.

The role provides visible, credible leadership to the Microbiology workforce and ensures that clinical, infection‑related and operational priorities are translated into effective, resilient and sustainable service delivery.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is a member of the Peninsula Pathology Network, which is undertaking work to agree future models for pathology services across Devon and Cornwall. This may, in time, result in changes to how Microbiology services are delivered across the network, including the balance between urgent and non‑urgent work. No final decisions have been made, and any future changes would be subject to appropriate engagement and consultation processes.

This role offers an opportunity to provide strong operational leadership during a period of system transformation and to help shape future service and leadership arrangements within a networked pathology model. The postholder will be accountable for the operational leadership of Microbiology services, including workforce, performance, quality, governance and delegated budgets.

• Leading the day‑to‑day operational delivery of Microbiology services, ensuring safe, timely and resilient diagnostic provision
• Managing service performance, turnaround times, demand and capacity, and operational risk
• Providing visible, credible leadership to a multidisciplinary workforce, supporting engagement, wellbeing and development
• Ensuring compliance with accreditation, regulatory and governance requirements, including UKAS and relevant specialist frameworks
• Leading responses to incidents, complaints, audits and inspections, ensuring actions are completed and learning embedded
• Managing delegated budgets and resources, delivering value for money and agreed efficiency plans
• Working closely with Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) and wider Trust teams to support infection‑related decision‑making and operational integration
• Leading and supporting service improvement and modernisation initiatives, including productivity, pathway improvement and service resilience
• Contributing to network‑level planning and transformation activity in collaboration with Peninsula Pathology Network partners, as future service models are developed

The Microbiology Laboratory Manager plays a key senior leadership role in the delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality diagnostic services within the Microbiology Laboratory. The postholder works in close partnership with the Service Clinical Lead and the Directorate Professional Lead as part of a clinically led leadership team. The role is accountable for the day‑to‑day operational management, performance, workforce, quality and financial delivery of Microbiology services, ensuring alignment with Trust priorities, regulatory requirements and agreed Directorate plans.

The postholder will lead a complex service spanning Microbiology disciplines (including, as applicable, bacteriology, serology, mycology, molecular and virology), providing visible and credible leadership to staff and ensuring robust operational delivery. A key element of the role is the effective interface with Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) and the wider Trust, supporting safe, timely infection‑related decision‑making and maintaining strong governance and reporting arrangements.

The role also includes leadership of service improvement and change, ensuring performance is monitored, risks are managed and escalated appropriately, and that quality, safety and accreditation requirements are embedded in everyday practice. In the…