Associate Director, Quality Assurance in Oxford

Associate Director, Quality Assurance in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead quality assurance efforts in biopharmaceuticals, ensuring compliance and driving improvements.
  • Company: Join Immunocore, a pioneering biotech company transforming medicine with innovative therapies.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment focused on collaboration and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by ensuring the quality of life-saving medicines.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in biopharma, strong leadership, and quality management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

  • Location of role
  • Oxford, UK
  • Department
  • Clinical QA

Key Responsibilities

Main Purpose of Job

Provide operational and leadership continuity across Immunocore's medicinal product lifecycle by deputizing for the Director, Quality Assurance, and supporting the delivery of phase-appropriate, risk-based Quality oversight across chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC), good manufacturing practice (GMP), human tissue management and research operations.

As a subject matter expert within the Quality Unit, apply deep technical knowledge to drive inspection readiness, QMS performance, and cross-functional quality oversight across internal and outsourced activities.

Provide clear decision-making, appropriate escalation of quality and regulatory risks, and cross-functional collaboration across manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, and R&D interfaces.

Operate with a high degree of autonomy and independent judgement on complex quality matters, recommending best practices and identifying solutions to improve products, processes, and compliance outcomes across the organization.

Where applicable, this role will influence/impact wholesale distribution activities and therefore an understanding of the requirements of Good Distribution Practice as defined in Directive 2001/83/EC and various national legislation where Immunocore operates is essential.

  • Deputize for the Director, Quality Assurance providing continuity of quality decision-making, risk escalation, and cross-functional leadership across manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, and R&D interfaces.
  • Act as quality advisor and subject matter expert across the Quality Unit and wider organization, providing guidance on complex quality matters.
  • Contribute to the development and execution of the Manufacturing Quality operating plan, including priorities and capability development, in alignment with enterprise Quality strategy.
  • Provide quality oversight for CMC and GMP operations across the medicinal product lifecycle, including outsourced QP services, ensuring phase-appropriate compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines, standards, and internal quality processes.
  • Support quality governance for Product Specification File (PSF) management and clinical supplies for investigational medicinal products (IMPs).
  • Support quality oversight of commercial supply operations, including artwork management.
  • Act as Quality lead, or support as required, for critical product quality events, ensuring effective decision-making, communication, and timely execution of containment and remediation actions.
  • Support quality oversight of human tissue management operations, ensuring compliance with applicable international standards and ethical requirements.
  • Contribute to Immunocore's regulatory inspection readiness program, ensuring quality systems, documentation, and processes are inspection-ready at all times.
  • Monitor and analyze QMS KPIs and metrics, identify trends, emerging risks, and systemic opportunities for improvement, and report or elevate findings appropriately.
  • Lead or contribute to root cause analysis and CAPA management for quality events, driving timely and effective resolution.
  • Identify and recommend best practices or new solutions to improve processes, and/or compliance outcomes across the organization.
  • Contribute to regulatory submissions, filings, and responses to regulatory information requests (RFIs), ensuring quality-relevant content is accurate and consistent.
  • Partner cross-functionally to ensure effective quality oversight and alignment on shared objectives.
  • Proactively engage key stakeholders across the business on complex and unique quality matters.
  • Represent the Quality Unit at internal and external meetings, including cross-functional forums, as required.
  • Contribute to quality management review processes, providing data-driven input on performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Essential Qualifications

  • A Bachelor's degree or higher qualification in a relevant scientific discipline
  • At least 8 years' relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
  • Qualified as a lead auditor to a recognized pharmaceutical industry standard

• Extensive knowledge and experience in

  • CMC and GMP operations
  • QMS - implementation, management and continuous improvement to ensure Gx P compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Manufacture of sterile injectable therapeutics produced through microbial and/or mammalian biopharmaceutical processes
  • (advantageous: experience in T-cell antigen receptor-based therapeutics)
  • Drug development
  • Ability to collaborate across multiple functions and business areas, aligning diverse teams to deliver Quality and business objectives
  • Proven ability to influence, negotiate and engage diverse stakeholders, to drive quality decisions and outcomes
  • Advanced written, verbal and cross-functional communication skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience of working in clinical research
  • Knowledge of clinical trials processes.

About the Company

Immunocore (NASDACK: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease.

Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry's most successful drug developers.

We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform.

Our Imm TAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset.

We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team.

By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen.

STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission.

We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients' lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Associate Director, Quality Assurance in Oxford employer: Immunocore

Immunocore is an exceptional employer located in Oxford, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of our mission to develop transformative medicines. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and a culture that values diversity, integrity, and scientific excellence. By joining our team, you will be part of a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to making a meaningful impact on patients' lives while working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

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Contact Details:

Immunocore Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Quality Assurance in Oxford

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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Quality Assurance in Oxford

Quality Assurance
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC)
Quality Management System (QMS)
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Management
Root Cause Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Immunocore!

Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Immunocore that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!

Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Immunocore!

Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Immunocore, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.

How to prepare for a job interview at Immunocore

✨Understand the Science

Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Immunocore that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.

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If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.

✨Know Their Products

Take some time to familiarise yourself with Immunocore’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.

✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios

In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.