Associate Director of Operations

Blackfield Associates; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfield Associates is seeking an Associate Director of Operations to lead site operations across multiple UK R&D locations, with Oxford as the primary base. You will provide visible operational leadership, partnering with scientific teams, senior stakeholders and global functions to ensure compliant, science-enabling operations.

The role focuses on governance, service delivery and continuous improvement across lab operations, facilities and site services, with responsibility for risk

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations leadership within R&D or life sciences.
• Experience managing multi-site teams and stakeholders.
• Vendor management and outsourced services experience.
• Ability to establish governance and processes.
• Strong influencing and communication with scientists and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop cross-site operations teams across UK sites.
• Oversee lab, facilities, health & safety, site services, and suppliers.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and scientific leaders.
• Strengthen governance and best practices for safe, scalable R&D.
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance metrics.
• Align cross-site operations and ensure consistent standards.
• Identify risks and ensure business continuity.

Skills

Operations leadership

Site operations

Lab operations

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Governance & processes

Job description

We are seeking an Associate Director of Operations to lead site operations across multiple UK R&D locations, strengthening operational excellence, service delivery and ways of working within a growing research organisation.

Based primarily on site in Oxford, this role will provide visible operational leadership across three UK sites, partnering closely with scientific teams, senior stakeholders and global functions to ensure effective, compliant and science-enabling operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary operations team, providing direction, support and strategic oversight across day-to-day operations and improvement initiatives.
• Oversee lab operations, facilities, health & safety, site services, office management and supplier partnerships across multiple UK locations.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and scientific leaders, acting as a trusted advisor and enabling effective collaboration across functions.
• Strengthen operational governance, processes and best practices to support a safe, efficient and scalable R&D environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, outsourced services and performance metrics to ensure high-quality delivery.
• Support cross-site alignment, ensuring consistent operational standards and effective ways of working.
• Identify risks, resolve operational challenges and ensure business continuity across the organisation.

We are looking for a pragmatic and experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, evolving environments and can build trust across scientific and business teams.

You will ideally bring:

• Significant experience in operations leadership, site operations, lab operations, facilities or related roles within a professional R&D or life sciences environment.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing stakeholders in a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Strong experience with vendor management, outsourced services and supplier partnerships.
• The ability to establish effective governance and processes.
• Strong influencing and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with scientists, senior leaders and external partners.
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style with the ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution.
• Experience operating in environments undergoing growth, change or organisational development.