Head of Biosafety

Kedrion Biopharma; Elstree; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kedrion Biopharma in Elstree, Hertfordshire, seeks an experienced Head of Biosafety to lead the Biosafety function at the site. The role requires deep pathogen safety expertise, strong GLP knowledge and senior-level oversight in a highly regulated environment.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership, oversee GLP compliance and laboratory operations, and develop a high-performing team with international collaboration and regulatory engagement to enable global

Qualifications

• Significant GLP-regulated environment experience.
• Experience leading GLP studies and teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence global pathogen safety strategy.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Biosafety function at Elstree.
• Oversee pathogen safety, GLP compliance and lab operations.
• Lead a team of scientific professionals across biosafety activities.
• Support regulatory compliance and global development programmes.
• Represent the function in Health Authority inspections when needed.
• Travel internationally when required.

Skills

GLP expertise

Leadership

Regulatory oversight

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Scientific leadership

Job description

Kedrion Biopharma is looking for an experienced Head of Biosafety to lead the Biosafety function at our Elstree site in Hertfordshire. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a scientific professional with deep expertise in pathogen safety, strong knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and experience providing senior-level oversight in a highly regulated environment.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Global Pathogen Safety, you will have strategic and operational responsibility for biosafety activities at Elstree, including pathogen safety, GLP compliance and laboratory operations. You will lead a team of scientific professionals while collaborating with local and international stakeholders to support regulatory compliance, business priorities and global development programmes.

Although based in Elstree, the position offers significant international visibility and the opportunity to influence the wider Global Pathogen Safety strategy. Your scientific leadership and regulatory oversight will contribute directly to helping ensure the safety of plasma-derived medicinal products used by patients around the world.

What You'll Do

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Biosafety function at the Elstree site, ensuring its work supports organisational priorities and the wider Global Pathogen Safety strategy.
• Oversee pathogen safety activities, GLP compliance and laboratory operations within a critical and highly regulated scientific environment.
• Act as a senior scientific leader, applying strong pathogen-safety expertise to guide programmes, projects and operational decision-making.
• Lead, support and develop a team of scientific professionals working across specialised biosafety and pathogen-safety activities.
• Maintain senior-level accountability for work performed within a GLP-regulated environment, helping ensure appropriate regulatory and scientific standards are upheld.
• Provide Test Facility Management oversight or equivalent senior-level leadership across relevant GLP activities and responsibilities.
• Support or lead Health Authority inspections, representing the function with confidence and providing clear scientific and regulatory input.
• Work closely with local colleagues and international stakeholders to align biosafety activity with business needs, regulatory commitments and global development programmes.
• Lead complex scientific programmes and projects, balancing strategic priorities with effective operational delivery.
• Contribute specialist knowledge and leadership to the development and delivery of global pathogen-safety priorities.
• Build effective relationships across functions and geographies, communicating complex scientific and regulatory matters clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Provide strategic influence within a global organisation operating in a highly specialised and regulated area of healthcare.
• Maintain a strong onsite presence during the initial stages of the appointment to support induction, team integration and understanding of Elstree laboratory and site operations.
• Travel internationally when required, including for induction activities in Italy.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience working within a GLP-regulated environment.
• GLP Test Facility Management experience or equivalent senior-level accountability for GLP activities.
• Strong scientific expertise in pathogen safety.
• Experience supporting or leading Health Authority inspections.
• Demonstrable experience leading teams within a GLP-regulated environment.
• Proven ability to lead complex scientific programmes and projects.
• Senior-level accountability for scientific, regulatory or laboratory operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience gained within plasma-derived medicinal products, biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology organisations or CRO environments conducting GLP pathogen-safety studies.
• Relevant experience in a senior GLP role, such as Study Director, Quality Assurance, Test Facility Manager or an equivalent position.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with local and international stakeholders in a global organisation.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally when required, including travel to Italy for induction activities.