At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for clinical trials, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency.
- Company: Richmond Pharmacology, a pioneering Clinical Research Organisation in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical and dental, pension, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in clinical research while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences and 15 years of operations leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London Bridge, SE1
Term: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits (Private Medical, Private Dental, Pension, 25 days Annual leave plus bank holidays & Many more)
Richmond Pharmacology are an early phase Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), conducting pioneering early phase healthy participants and patient participant trials. Our experienced and world-renowned team, our central London location and our global reach contribute to making Richmond Pharmacology an exciting and dynamic place to work.
Purpose of the job
The Director of Operations is accountable for a significant proportion of the operational activity required to deliver clinical trials at Richmond. This role leads Clinical Operations, Laboratory Services, Data Science, Catering, Clinical Project Delivery, and Acute Clinical Management, ensuring these functions operate in a coordinated and aligned way to support high-quality project delivery. The focus is to ensure that these operational areas run safely, compliantly, efficiently, and effectively, with engaged teams and a relentless focus on improving how work gets done. This is a leadership role. The Director sets direction, creates clarity, and holds leaders accountable for delivering excellence across their areas, while working closely with other Directors to ensure end-to-end trial success.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Operational Leadership and Performance
- Own performance and delivery across assigned operational functions
- Ensure operational delivery is efficient, coordinated, and aligned to study requirements
- Work in partnership with peers and seniors to enable end-to-end study delivery
- Reduce friction between functions and improve ways of working
- Ensure clear accountability for outcomes within and across functions
- Participant Safety and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure all operational areas meet the highest standards of participant safety
- Maintain regulatory compliance across all accountable functions
- Embed a culture where safety and quality are non-negotiable
- Ensure ongoing inspection readiness
- Project Delivery
- Support the effective delivery of clinical trials through strong operational execution
- Improve predictability, timelines, and quality of delivery within accountable areas
- Reduce delays, rework, and operational inefficiencies
- Strengthen ownership and accountability at the project level
- Functional Leadership
- Clinical Operations
- Laboratory Services
- Data Science (data management and statistics)
- Clinical Project Delivery
- Acute Clinical Management
- Catering
- Provide leadership across the operational functions, ensuring each function is high performing, well-structured, and clearly aligned to shared goals, building strong collaboration across functions and with the wider organisation.
- Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
- Drive continuous improvement across operational processes and systems
- Identify and eliminate inefficiencies and duplication
- Use data and insight to prioritise improvements
- Promote smarter, simpler ways of working, including use of technology where appropriate
- People Leadership and Capability
- Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team
- Set clear expectations and hold leaders accountable for delivery and behaviour
- Build capability and succession across functions
- Ensure teams are structured to deliver sustainably and effectively
- Financial and Operational Efficiency
- Support strong financial performance through efficient operational delivery
- Contribute to budgeting and performance tracking across functions
- Ensure resources are deployed effectively without compromising quality or safety
- Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to organisational strategy and growth plans
- Ensure operational capability supports increasingly complex and high-value studies
- Support Richmond's ambition to be a partner of choice for early-phase clinical research
Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or related discipline.
- Strong working knowledge of GCP and clinical trial regulations
- Strong background in data-driven decision-making and performance management.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive operations leadership experience, with at least 5 years in senior management roles.
- Senior leadership experience in clinical research
- Strong understanding of clinical trial delivery and regulatory requirements
- Proven ability to manage audits and regulatory inspections successfully
- Track record of reducing delays, rework, or inefficiencies
- Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including interaction with cross-functional teams, boards and regulatory bodies
- Ability to operate effectively in a matrix environment
- Data-driven and outcome-focused
Branch Operations Leader — Clinical Trials Delivery in Dunstable employer: Extrastaff
Richmond Pharmacology is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London Bridge, where innovation meets excellence in clinical trials. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including private medical and dental care, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative and high-performing team. Join us to be part of a pioneering organisation that values safety, quality, and continuous improvement in delivering impactful clinical research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Branch Operations Leader — Clinical Trials Delivery in Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the clinical trials field, attend industry events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Richmond Pharmacology inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and how they operate. We want to see you shine, so tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We’re here to support you, so don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We believe that a little courtesy can set you apart from the competition.
We think you need these skills to ace Branch Operations Leader — Clinical Trials Delivery in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of Operations. Highlight your experience in clinical trials and operational leadership, and don’t forget to showcase your data-driven decision-making skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for Richmond Pharmacology. Mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and improve operational efficiency.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, let us know about your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed multidisciplinary teams. We want to see how you create clarity and accountability within your teams!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our dynamic team at Richmond Pharmacology.
How to prepare for a job interview at Extrastaff
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of clinical trial regulations and GCP. Richmond Pharmacology is all about delivering high-quality trials, so being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This position is all about operational leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you improved performance or resolved conflicts within your team.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves a lot of data-driven decision-making, come ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methodologies you've employed to track performance and improve efficiency.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Richmond Pharmacology values a culture of safety and quality, so be sure to express your commitment to these principles. Share how you've fostered a similar culture in your past roles and how you plan to do the same if you join their team.
