Deputy Laboratory Manager - Fertility Clinic (Embryology/Andrology)
About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Deputy Laboratory Manager to support the leadership, daily operations, and continuous improvement of our fertility laboratory. You will act as second-in-command to the Lab Manager, ensuring safe, compliant, and high-performing delivery of embryology and andrology services, including IVF/ICSI cycles, vitrification, cryostorage management, and end-to-end quality control. This role combines clinical embryology expertise with people leadership, operational oversight, and rigorous quality management.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Workflow

• Oversee day-to-day embryology/andrology workflows to ensure timely, safe, and efficient service delivery across all treatment cycles (IVF, ICSI, IUI, surgical sperm procedures, PGT pathways).
• Act as duty lead in the Lab Manager's absence; manage lab scheduling, case assignment, and rota coverage (including weekends/bank holidays).
• Ensure full traceability and chain-of-custody of gametes/embryos with robust witnessing (electronic/manual) and documentation at every stage.
• Coordinate theatre and procedure lists (oocyte retrievals, embryo transfers, semen analyses/processing) with nursing and medical teams.

Clinical & Technical Excellence

• Perform and supervise core embryology procedures: oocyte assessment, insemination/ICSI, fertilisation checks, embryo culture and grading, assisted hatching (if applicable), biopsy (if trained), vitrification/warming, embryo transfer preparation.
• Maintain and optimise culture systems (incubators, media, time-lapse platforms) and aseptic technique within LAF hoods and cleanroom conditions.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for clinical or technical deviations; support validation/verification of new equipment, consumables, and methods before clinical use.
• Oversee cryostorage integrity (liquid nitrogen tanks, inventory, alarms, topping schedules, temperature/level monitoring, and contingency).

Quality, Risk & Compliance

• Champion QMS adherence aligned to HFEA Code of Practice, clinic SOPs, CAPA, change control, risk assessments, and incident management.
• Prepare for and participate in audits/inspections (internal, supplier, external regulators), ensuring findings are addressed promptly with sustainable actions.
• Maintain robust environmental and equipment monitoring (calibration, maintenance, IQ/OQ/PQ, cleaning logs, sterile supplies management, COSHH).
• Ensure accurate, contemporaneous records in LIMS/EMR; uphold data protection and confidentiality (GDPR).
• Contribute to KPI setting, monitoring, and reporting (fertilisation, blastulation, utilisation rates, clinical pregnancy/live birth proxies, biopsy/vitrification survival, turnaround times).
• Support business continuity and emergency response planning (power failures, alarms, disaster recovery for cryostorage/equipment).

People Leadership & Development

• Supervise, coach, and develop embryologists, andrologists, and trainees; deliver competency assessments and sign-offs.
• Lead induction and ongoing training on SOPs, witnessing systems, aseptic practice, and critical procedures; drive a positive safety culture.
• Provide clear performance feedback and support wellbeing; foster collaboration with medical, nursing, and admin teams.

Patient-Centred Care & Communication

• Communicate sensitively and clearly with patients (where appropriate) regarding laboratory procedures, consent queries, and expectations.
• Support consent processes in collaboration with nursing/medical teams; ensure all consents are valid, documented, and traceable.
• Promote evidence-based practice and patient information materials; contribute to continuous patient experience improvement.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Track scientific developments and introduce best practice in culture systems, cryobiology, and lab technology (e.g., time-lapse, AI-assisted tools, electronic witnessing).
• Lead/assist in R&D, audits, and service improvement projects; present outcomes to the governance/quality committee.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in a relevant life science (e.g., Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Reproductive Science) or equivalent.
• Significant post-qualification experience as a Clinical Embryologist in an HFEA-licensed IVF lab, with proficiency across IVF/ICSI, embryo culture, grading, vitrification/warming, and cryostorage management.
• Demonstrable experience mentoring/junior supervision and acting as deputy/lead on shift or projects.
• Strong knowledge of QMS, risk management, incident reporting, CAPA, change control, and audit readiness in a regulated environment (HFEA).
• Proven competency with LIMS/EMR, electronic witnessing, lab equipment (incubators, benchtop analysers, LN2 cryogenic systems), and environmental monitoring.

Desirable

• Registration or eligibility for professional registration (e.g., HCPC Clinical Scientist via equivalence; ESHRE Clinical Embryologist certification).
• Experience with PGT workflows and embryo biopsy.
• Experience implementing/validating new platforms (time-lapse, new media, automation, AI decision-support).
• Experience contributing to external quality schemes or publishing/auditing outcomes.
• Leadership/management training or certificate (ILM/CMI or equivalent).

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