Associate Director - Toxicology

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is recruiting an Associate Director for Scientific Operations in Northwest England. The role is site-based with occasional travel and focuses on leading operational delivery, strategy, quality and people management in a regulated environment.

You will shape strategic plans, drive continuous improvement, manage budgets and collaborate across technical teams to deliver compliant, high-quality scientific services.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in scientific/regulated sector with senior leadership experience.
• Degree in a scientific discipline; understanding of toxicology and trace chemical analysis.
• Experience with quality management systems and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across operational and technical teams.
• Develop and deliver strategic plans and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement automation and digital solutions to improve service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements and governance frameworks.
• Develop, manage and monitor departmental budgets and support investment planning through robust business cases.
• Collaborate with internal functions to deliver effective operational and business solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Commercial awareness

Attention to detail

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Education

Degree in a scientific discipline

Job description

Associate Director - Scientific Operations

Location: Northwest England (site-based role with occasional travel)

Full time and permanent position

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to join a highly regulated scientific organisation. This is a diverse and challenging opportunity with responsibility for operational delivery, strategic development, quality improvement, innovation, and people leadership across multiple technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership, direction and support across operational and technical teams.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of strategic plans, continuous improvement initiatives and organisational objectives.
• Identify and implement emerging technologies, automation and digital solutions to improve service delivery and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with relevant quality standards, regulatory requirements and governance frameworks.
• Develop, manage and monitor departmental budgets and support investment planning through robust business cases.
• Collaborate with internal functions to deliver effective operational and business solutions.

Candidate Profile

• Exceptional leadership, people management and project delivery skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational demands and long-term objectives.
• Commercial awareness and experience delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Strong attention to detail with a quality-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience managing technical projects and budgets within a regulated environment.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of experience within a scientific, healthcare, pharmaceutical, clinical, laboratory or similarly regulated sector.
• Experience operating in a senior leadership or management position.
• Degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline or equivalent professional experience, and a strong understanding of toxicology and trace chemical analysis
• Strong understanding of complex analytical or technical processes.
• Experience working within recognised quality management systems and international standards.
• Data analysis, automation or digital systems experience would be advantageous