At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK Biopharma division through operational transformation and commercial growth.
- Company: Dynamic multinational laboratory services company with a focus on biopharma.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and hands-on leadership across two sites in Scotland.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a high-stakes leadership role within a growing industry.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in regulated industries and strong operational management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Our client has an opportunity for a commercially and operationally driven Managing Director to lead its UK Biopharma division. This is a high-impact leadership role overseeing two UK laboratory sites during a critical phase of operational transformation and commercial growth. The business has undergone a significant turnaround journey over recent years, with strong progress already achieved commercially and operationally. One site is approaching break-even performance, while the other location requires focused leadership to improve operational efficiency and profitability. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving the next phase of strategic transformation while maintaining customer confidence, GMP standards, and commercial momentum.
This role offers full responsibility for operational leadership, business performance, and strategic direction within a growing multinational laboratory services environment.
Position Summary
The National Business Line Leader will provide overall leadership for the UK Biopharma business across two sites, with primary responsibility for operational performance, commercial execution, financial management, and organizational development. The successful candidate will lead a business generating approximately £6M in annual revenue with around 60 employees across both locations. This individual will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, improving profitability, strengthening customer relationships, and driving long-term sustainable growth. The role requires a highly visible, hands-on leader who can balance operational transformation with commercial execution in a GMP-regulated laboratory environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead the continued transformation of the UK Biopharma business.
- Develop and execute strategic plans to improve operational performance, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
- Identify opportunities for growth, service expansion, and operational efficiencies.
- Drive alignment between commercial objectives and operational delivery.
- Operational Leadership
- Oversee day-to-day operations across both sites.
- Improve operational performance, utilization, workflow efficiency, and delivery timelines.
- Ensure both sites maintain high standards of GMP compliance, quality, and regulatory adherence.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across laboratory and support functions.
- Build operational discipline and accountability throughout the organization.
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Hold full P&L responsibility for the UK Biopharma business.
- Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance against targets.
- Drive profitability improvements, particularly at one of the sites.
- Partner closely with commercial leadership to maintain and grow customer relationships.
- Support business development efforts and key client engagement activities.
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop site leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Foster a performance-driven and collaborative culture.
- Ensure strong communication and alignment between both sites.
- Support succession planning, organizational development, and talent retention initiatives.
- Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong relationships with key pharmaceutical and biopharma clients.
- Act as a senior representative for the business internally and externally.
- Collaborate with European regional leadership on strategic initiatives and performance objectives.
- Ensure customer expectations are consistently met within regulated environments.
Candidate Profile
- Senior leadership experience within laboratory services, biopharma testing, pharmaceutical services, life sciences, food testing, environmental testing, or other regulated industries.
- Experience leading operational teams within GMP, quality-regulated, or compliance-driven environments.
- Demonstrated success managing business performance, budgets, or operational KPIs.
- Strong operational leadership capability with experience driving transformation or turnaround initiatives.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational execution and customer needs.
- Experience leading multi-site operations is highly desirable.
Preferred Background
- Biopharma testing
- Pharmaceutical services
- Contract laboratory services
- Food testing
- Environmental testing
- Scientific services
- Other highly regulated manufacturing or technical service environments
Laboratory experience is valued but not essential if accompanied by strong operational leadership within regulated industries.
Key Competencies
- Strategic and operational leadership
- Financial and commercial acumen
- Change management and transformation leadership
- Strong stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and decision-making capability
- Team leadership and organizational development
- Customer-focused mindset
- Ability to thrive in turnaround and growth environments
Key Challenges
- Continuing operational transformation while maintaining commercial momentum.
- Improving profitability and operational performance at one of the sites.
- Managing two geographically separate operations effectively.
- Ensuring strong on-site leadership presence and engagement.
- Maintaining high GMP and quality standards while driving efficiency improvements.
Success Measures
- Achieving sustainable profitability across both UK sites.
- Driving measurable operational improvements and efficiencies.
- Strengthening customer relationships and commercial performance.
- Building a high-performing leadership culture.
- Successfully executing the next phase of the business transformation strategy.
Location & Travel
Primary location: Scotland. Regular travel is required, anticipated approximately biweekly. Significant on-site presence is expected to ensure operational engagement and leadership visibility. Relocation support will be considered for the right candidate.
Managing Director – Biopharma in Scotland employer: Novo
As a leading player in the biopharma sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment characterised by a commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises professional development and leadership opportunities, all while working in a dynamic and innovative laboratory setting in Scotland. With a focus on maintaining high GMP standards and fostering strong customer relationships, this role provides a unique chance to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director – Biopharma in Scotland
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Novo. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Novo!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director – Biopharma in Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Novo that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Novo.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Novo does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Novo
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Novo. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Novo's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Novo. This shows your passion for the industry!
