Director of Technical Operations

Jobtailor; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Engineering Operations Leader in the UK to drive the Technical Services team and ensure safe, efficient operation of cryogenic labs, workshops and machining facilities in Reading. You will steward maintenance, budgets and cross-functional projects, reporting to senior stakeholders.

You will lead complex initiatives, optimise supplier relationships and align milestones with the Operations roadmap while delivering clear accountability across teams.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading engineering or operational teams in manufacturing, engineering or scientific settings.
• Proven project leadership in complex technical or operational environments.
• Experience managing external partners and assessing supplier value for money.
• Strong operational reporting and presentation skills, including communication with senior leaders and technical teams.
• Solid budgetary control, forecasting and delivery management abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder, supplier and relationship management with cross-organisational influence.
• Pragmatic leadership style focused on clear priorities and team motivation.
• Degree or equivalent in Engineering or Manufacturing discipline.
• Experience forecasting and managing annual operational budgets (£2m–£6m range is a nice-to-have).
• Lean management and risk management familiarity would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and motivate the Technical Services team, including technicians, machinists and supervisors.
• Own safe, reliable operation of UK technical spaces including cryogenic labs, assembly workshops and machining facilities.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, internal work orders and performance with reporting metrics.
• Manage external supplier relationships, assessing value for money and partnering with Supply Chain, Purchasing and Legal on contracts.
• Lead cross-functional projects and improvement initiatives.
• Manage technical space expenditure, longer-term budgets and delivery timelines.
• Report clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Execute Engineering Operations roadmap priorities and ensure accountability through delivery.

Skills

Engineering Leadership

Project Leadership

Supplier Management

Operational Reporting

Budget Control

Stakeholder Management

Leadership with Pragmatism

Degree in Engineering

Budget Forecasting

Lean Management

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Lean Management

Risk Management

Project Forecasting

Job description

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Engineering Operations Leader in the UK to drive the Technical Services team and ensure safe, efficient operation of cryogenic labs, workshops and machining facilities in Reading. You will steward maintenance, budgets and cross-functional projects, reporting to senior stakeholders.

You will lead complex initiatives, optimise supplier relationships and align milestones with the Operations roadmap while delivering clear accountability across teams.