R&D Operations Lead - Multi-Site & Lab Excellence

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

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