At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop innovative diagnostic products from concept to market.
- Company: Join SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics, a leader in consumer diagnostic products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to shape future technologies.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor the next generation of scientific talent.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people and products while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven scientific leadership and experience in R&D within regulated industries.
The predicted salary is between 58349 - 71315 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Head of Assay to lead our Assay team and play a pivotal role in the development of innovative diagnostic products from concept through to commercialisation and post-market support. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a people-focused scientific leader who thrives on developing talent, building high-performing teams, and delivering excellence in a fast-paced, regulated environment. You'll combine strong technical expertise with outstanding leadership capability, ensuring your team is empowered, engaged and equipped to deliver breakthrough products that support business growth and innovation.
As Head of Assay, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, development and performance of the Assay function. You'll work closely with Project Directors, Project Leaders and senior stakeholders across the organisation to ensure effective resource planning, technical excellence and successful project delivery. A key focus of the role is people leadership. You will create an environment where individuals can thrive, develop their capabilities and contribute to meaningful innovation. You will lead recruitment, coaching, performance management and succession planning activities, helping to build and retain a highly capable scientific team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leadership and People Management: Lead, motivate and develop a team of assay scientists and technical specialists. Create a high-performance culture built on collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and development discussions. Support recruitment, onboarding, reward and recognition, talent development and succession planning activities. Provide coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to team members at all levels. Ensure clear objectives, priorities and deliverables are established across the team. Recognise and celebrate individual and team achievements while driving engagement and retention.
- Team Planning and Delivery: Oversee workload planning, resource allocation and project priorities to ensure successful delivery. Coordinate team activities and monitor progress against departmental objectives. Maintain visibility of projects, deliverables and resource requirements through effective planning tools and processes. Work closely with senior R&D leaders to balance resource needs across programmes and initiatives.
- Technical Leadership: Provide technical direction and quality assurance across assay development activities. Support the development of innovative products from early-stage concepts through to market launch. Guide project teams on assay specifications, technical risks, validation strategies and problem-solving approaches. Identify opportunities for innovation, technology advancement and intellectual property generation. Evaluate emerging technologies, scientific developments and potential product opportunities. Ensure all work is delivered in compliance with applicable quality, regulatory and health and safety requirements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with technical experts, project leaders and cross-functional teams to achieve project goals. Present progress, recommendations and key developments to senior leadership teams. Represent the business with external partners, suppliers, customers and regulatory stakeholders where required.
About You
We're looking for a proven scientific leader who combines technical credibility with exceptional people management skills.
Essential Experience:
- Degree or master's qualification in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Significant experience within R&D, ideally within medical diagnostics, life sciences or related regulated industries.
- Demonstrable experience leading, developing and managing technical or scientific teams.
- Experience delivering complex product development projects from concept through to launch.
- Strong understanding of quality management systems, regulatory requirements and GxP principles.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to prioritise effectively and lead teams in fast-paced environments with changing priorities.
Desirable:
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Experience in consumer healthcare diagnostics and immunoassay development.
- Experience identifying and developing innovative technologies and intellectual property.
- Specialist knowledge relevant to diagnostic product development.
Why Join SPD and the Clearblue Brand
This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on both people and products. You'll lead a talented team at the forefront of innovation, shaping future technologies while developing the next generation of scientific talent. If you are an experienced scientific leader who is passionate about developing people, driving innovation and delivering results, we would love to hear from you.
Interested? Click apply and you will be redirected to our careers page to complete your application.
Head of Assay in Luton employer: SPD Development Company Ltd
At SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of Bedford. As the Head of Assay, you will not only lead a dynamic team dedicated to developing groundbreaking diagnostic products but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through tailored coaching, performance management, and a supportive work environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a joint venture that champions scientific excellence and personal development.
Contact Details:
SPD Development Company Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Assay in Luton
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Assay in Luton
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 SPD Development Company Ltd that you have the hands-on skills they need.
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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 SPD Development Company Ltd 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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at SPD Development Company Ltd
✨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 SPD Development Company Ltd. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
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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.
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