At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to enhance laboratory technology platforms and ensure operational excellence.
- Company: Vertex, a global biotechnology leader focused on scientific innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, competitive salary, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Hybrid work model available, fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of lab technology while making a real impact in biotech.
- Qualifications: Experience in enterprise technology operations and proven leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
The Director, Oxford Research Technology leads a team responsible for the architecture, delivery, security, support, and continuous evolution of enterprise laboratory technology platforms across Oxford. It is also the single accountable Research Site Partner for Oxford: the primary DTE relationship holder for the site's SVP and research leadership, and the front door through which site requirements are captured, shaped, and routed into the correct cross-functional platform backlog.
Operating within highly regulated GxP and SOX environments, this role remains accountable for operational excellence, financial stewardship, and risk management across a complex laboratory technology landscape, including ownership of the site's annual operating budget. In parallel, the role carries accountability for local technology adoption, change management, and cross-site prioritization advocacy — ensuring Oxford's voice shapes the shared platform roadmap without the site building or maintaining local one-off solutions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with senior business, quality, and DTE leaders, acting as a strategic partner with sustained impact on enterprise laboratory goals.
- Lead, develop, and retain a highly effective Lab Engineering Support organization, leveraging internal resources and external partners through a managed service provider model.
- Ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operations across both IT and OT environments, aligned to cyber security, ITSM, ITIL, and DTE system lifecycle standards.
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for laboratory technology partnering with DTE Compliance, Cyber Security, Internal Audit, and Quality Assurance.
- Own and manage the site's operating budget, ensuring disciplined financial planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization across services and platforms.
- Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements delivered at the site, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with business outcomes.
- Attract, develop, and retain top talent; carry full people-management accountability for assigned staff.
Research Site Partnership:
- Serve as the single accountable owner for technology adoption, change, and the DTE relationship at Oxford — the primary partner to the site SVP and research leadership.
- Act as the site's product owner: capture requirements and user stories directly from scientists and shape raw, ambiguous input into clear, prioritized demand.
- Be the single front door for Oxford — route shaped requirements to the correct platform owner (within Laboratory Solutions or peer DTE platform organizations) rather than site stakeholders engaging each platform team directly.
- Drive local adoption and change management for new platform capabilities; carry roadmap and delivery updates back to site scientists and leadership on a regular cadence.
- Represent the site's voice in cross-site, cross-functional prioritization forums, ensuring the shared platform roadmap reflects the site's highest-value needs.
- Maintain a transparent, current view of the site's demand status and backlog position that site stakeholders can see and understand.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong senior-level business engagement and stakeholder partnership capabilities.
- Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, ITSM, and system lifecycle practices.
- Proven people leadership experience building and sustaining high-performing teams.
- Program, portfolio, demand, and financial management expertise.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and executive-level presentation skills.
- Ability to balance operational stability with innovation in regulated environments.
- Comfort operating in a matrixed accountability model — shaping and routing demand where the build/architecture decision rests with a peer platform owner, not this role.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in technology discipline or equivalent.
- Relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated leadership managing enterprise-scale technology platforms and support organizations.
- Experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and vendor ecosystems with financial accountability.
- Experience operating as a product owner, business relationship manager, or similar demand-shaping role — translating ambiguous stakeholder input into structured, prioritized backlog items.
Flex Designation: Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status: In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: 1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select 2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
Director, Oxford Research Technology employer: Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a flexible hybrid working model, our team enjoys a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, while also providing ample opportunities for career advancement in the dynamic field of tax compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Oxford Research Technology
✨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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals. 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Oxford Research Technology
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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals
✨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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals. 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals'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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals. This shows your passion for the industry!
