Head of Global Operations Healthcare Market Research

Albion Rye Associates; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing health and life sciences organisation seeks a Head of Operations to shape and execute their operational strategy. This senior leadership role will oversee project management, resource allocation, compliance, vendor management, and sustainability initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in leading complex, multi-office operations in regulated environments, ensuring financial sustainability, and managing vendor relationships. Strong leadership, strategic execution, and a data-driven mindset are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex, multi-office operations in pharma/health research or regulated professional services.
• Strong track record implementing compliance frameworks, quality systems, and operational governance.
• Expertise in vendor management, procurement, and contract negotiation.
• Proven financial stewardship including budgets, P&L oversight, and resource allocation.
• Experience leading IT/MSP strategy and global operational technology implementations.
• History of driving process transformation to enhance efficiency, scalability, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a clear operational vision aligned with organisational growth priorities.
• Lead global operations strategy, translating it into actionable plans with measurable KPIs.
• Oversee project delivery frameworks, resource planning, capacity management, and team performance.
• Ensure financial oversight of operations, including budgets, cost control, and commercial sustainability.
• Maintain compliance across regulatory, ethical, and IT/security domains.
• Manage strategic vendor relationships, procurement, and contract negotiations.
• Drive IT, AI, and information security strategy to support global operations.
• Lead sustainability, CSR, and DE&I initiatives across teams.

Skills

Strategic execution with measurable business impact

Data-driven decision-making

Exceptional leadership skills

Collaboration and stakeholder management

Operational risk management

Change management

Portfolio management

Knowledge of sustainability

Job description

Head of Operations – Global Health & Life Sciences | UK-based | £100,000-£130,000

We are seeking a Head of Operations to lead and optimise global operational strategy for a fast-growing health and life sciences organisation. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing operations across project management, resource allocation, IT, compliance, vendor management, financial oversight, and sustainability initiatives.

About the Role

Reporting to a founding partner, this role ensures scalable systems, governance, and processes are in place to drive operational excellence, cross-office alignment, and high-quality client delivery. You will provide senior leadership across key functions, translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, enabling data-driven decisions, and fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a clear operational vision aligned with organisational growth priorities.
• Lead global operations strategy, translating it into actionable plans with measurable KPIs.
• Oversee project delivery frameworks, resource planning, capacity management, and team performance.
• Ensure financial oversight of operations, including budgets, cost control, and commercial sustainability.
• Maintain compliance across regulatory, ethical, and IT / security domains (GDPR, AE reporting, InfoSec, AI governance).
• Manage strategic vendor relationships, procurement, and contract negotiations.
• Drive IT, AI, and information security strategy to support global operations.
• Lead sustainability, CSR, and DE&I initiatives across teams and vendor ecosystem.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing Operations team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience leading complex, multi-office operations in pharma / health research or regulated professional services.
• Strong track record implementing compliance frameworks, quality systems, and operational governance.
• Expertise in vendor management, procurement, and contract negotiation.
• Proven financial stewardship including budgets, P&L oversight, and resource allocation.
• Experience leading IT / MSP strategy and global operational technology implementations.
• History of driving process transformation to enhance efficiency, scalability, and performance.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic execution with measurable business impact.
• Data-driven decision-making and performance optimisation.
• Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Deep understanding of operational risk, change management, and portfolio management.
• Knowledge of sustainability, CSR strategy, and responsible procurement.