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- Tasks: Lead operational excellence and ensure timely delivery of client projects.
- Company: Join FibroFind, a pioneering scale-up in drug development insights.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug development while working closely with founders.
- Qualifications: Proven operations and project management expertise; strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
FibroFind is a science-led scale-up commercialising a differentiated human ex-vivo tissue platform for drug development. Our priority is clear: to be the gold standard partner to drug developers, delivering the most human relevant tissue insights and translational evidence so that our customers can make confident decisions faster and bring effective therapies to patients sooner.
The Operations Director will take ownership of internal delivery, systems, and process excellence across the business. This is a founder-close, hands-on leadership role in a growing organisation, with accountability for ensuring projects are delivered On Time, In Full (OTIF) and to the required quality and cost standards.
This role is internally focused and management-led, working closely with Project Managers and Technical Specialists to translate customer requirements into robust delivery plans and outcomes. The successful candidate will be highly process-driven, comfortable working in detail, and confident being accountable for results. Industry or scientific background is not essential; what matters most is strong operational leadership, structured thinking, and the ability to work effectively with technical teams.
Key Responsibilities- Own and oversee OTIF delivery across all client projects, ensuring quality, cost, and timeline requirements are met.
- Work day-to-day with Project Managers and Technical Specialists to interpret customer requirements and convert them into executable delivery plans.
- Oversee the running and interpretation of pre-clinical drug testing studies, ensuring alignment with client objectives.
- Identify risks, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies, and implement corrective actions.
- Define, develop, and continuously improve operational processes, systems, and controls.
- Embed structured project management methodologies to support consistent, scalable delivery.
- Develop reporting frameworks that provide clarity on performance, delivery, and variation.
- Use data to identify trends, ranges, and variability, and ensure insights are clearly communicated.
- Develop, improve and prepare the processes and systems currently in place to support the future growth of the business while maintaining excellence and optimising performance.
- Support the production of high-quality reports that enable drug developers to make earlier, more informed decisions.
- Interpret statistical data and performance metrics, translating them into actionable insights.
- Oversee data-driven project management initiatives.
- Lead, support, and develop Project Managers and Technical Specialists.
- Build trust and credibility with scientific teams, helping to remove obstacles and enable effective delivery.
- Foster a collaborative, low-ego, pragmatic culture aligned with a growing, founder-led business.
- Consistent delivery of studies on time, in full, and to agreed quality standards.
- High levels of customer satisfaction across delivery, quality, and cost.
- Improved operational consistency, transparency, and scalability.
- Strong engagement and performance within project and technical teams.
- Proven expertise in operations and project management, using recognised processes, systems, and structures.
- Strong track record of delivering complex projects OTIF.
- Highly process-driven, self-directed, and comfortable being accountable for outcomes.
- Confident working in detail and building structure where it does not yet exist.
- Experience working with statistical data, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
- Data-led project management experience.
- Advanced Excel capability (including macros).
- CRO background.
- Deep scientific or technical specialism.
- Prior experience within the life sciences industry.
- Low ego, pragmatic, and collaborative.
- Comfortable working closely with founders and senior leadership.
- Enjoys building systems, controls, and structure.
- Credible communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Operations Director in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Lead Candidate
Contact Detail:
Lead Candidate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at FibroFind or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission to deliver effective therapies faster.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects OTIF in the past. This will demonstrate your operational leadership and structured thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Operations Director role. Highlight your operational leadership experience and how it aligns with our mission at FibroFind. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the table!
Showcase Your Process-Driven Mindset: In your application, emphasise your ability to develop and improve operational processes. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate structured thinking and a knack for turning complex projects into manageable plans. Let us know how you've done this in the past!
Highlight Data-Driven Decision Making: Since data is key in our operations, make sure to mention any experience you have with statistical analysis and reporting. We love candidates who can interpret data and turn it into actionable insights, so share examples of how you've done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lead Candidate
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into operations management principles. Understand how to translate customer requirements into actionable plans, as this is crucial for the Operations Director role. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've ensured projects were delivered on time and within budget.
✨Showcase Your Process-Driven Mindset
Prepare to demonstrate your structured thinking and process improvement skills. Think of instances where you identified inefficiencies and implemented corrective actions. This will show that you're not just about managing but also about enhancing operational excellence.
✨Data is Your Best Friend
Brush up on your data analysis skills, especially with Excel. Be prepared to talk about how you've used data to drive project management initiatives and improve performance. Highlight any experience with reporting frameworks or statistical data interpretation to impress the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership
The role requires strong leadership and the ability to build trust with technical teams. Share examples of how you've fostered a collaborative culture in previous roles. Discuss how you’ve supported and developed team members, as this will resonate well with the company's values.