Solutions Manager - Laboratory Operations

Salary for this Role: From £53,685 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Reports to: David Wright

Closing Date: 06/Jul/2025 23.59 GMT

Details of the role: Working pattern: Monday – Friday. This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us: The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role: The Service Delivery team covers a number of critical operational areas of the Crick, including management of shared equipment, delivery and stocking consumables logistics, management of lab space, and comprehensive administrative support for travel, expenses, scientific seminars, and on/off boarding of scientific visitors and collaborators. You will work in a matrix management structure to investigate strategic and operational challenges, analyse issues and dependencies, and propose and execute plans for solutions that result in improved ways of working across the Institute. In this role, you'll take a central position in solving operational challenges, with a strong emphasis on project management and business analysis. A key aspect of your responsibilities will be building networks across the organization while leading the development and implementation of new processes and you'll play a vital role in guiding the team to adopt and adhere to these processes. Collaboration is therefore essential, as you'll work closely with various teams at the Crick including IT and HR. We're looking for someone with experience in business process notation, process mapping, and developing standard operating procedures. Strong problem-solving skills are critical; you should be someone who can identify issues, implement effective solutions, and move forward with confidence. If you have previous experience as a business analyst or project manager working in a similar field and are eager to learn and take on new challenges, this may be a great role for you to make an impact at The Crick.

What you will be doing: As a member of the Service Delivery management team, you will:

• Assist with the scoping and prioritisation of projects that address key challenges across the team’s remit, in line with strategic operational objectives.
• Provide thoughtful and detailed analysis of these cross-cutting challenges, working with colleagues at all levels in the institute to understand issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Organise, chair, and document meetings and workshops between stakeholders at all levels of the organisation to collaboratively discuss, explore and understand these issues.
• Working closely in a matrix management environment with leaders across Research Infrastructure and the wider Crick, synthesise convincing and effective long-term solutions to these challenges.
• Manage stakeholder expectations through effective communication, influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

About you: You will bring a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., cell biology, stem cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology) or commensurate experience. A proven track record in business analysis and project management roles, ideally in a scientific, clinical, or healthcare research setting. Ability to build your own network internally and externally and skilled in flexing communication style to build rapport and enhance relationships. Demonstrate critical analysis of business systems and processes, and experience of capturing user requirements and mapping business processes. Experience in conducting feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses. Ability to articulate and visualise complex problems and technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

About Working at the Crick: Our values Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: weronika.kucala@crick.ac.uk.

What will you receive? At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programmes. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.