Director of Life Science Operations – Eastern US
FST Technical Services
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Job summary
FST Technical Services in Durham, NC is seeking a Director of Operations for its Life Sciences Division. You will lead day-to-day operations, optimize resource use, forecast revenue, and drive project delivery while ensuring client satisfaction and division growth.
You will oversee staffing, staffing plans, and performance metrics, collaborating with Project Managers and leadership to align resources with workload and strategic goals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combinations of education, certifications, and relevant experience will be considered
- 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, project management, consulting, engineering, technical services, or related industries
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams, resources, or operational functions
- Demonstrated success in resource planning, workforce utilization, project delivery, and financial forecasting
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Experience in life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, inspection, testing, validation, or regulated environments preferred
Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Life Sciences Division
- Establish operational priorities and allocate resources to meet business objectives
- Develop and implement processes that improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency
- Monitor key operational metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Support the achievement of revenue, profitability, utilization, and client satisfaction goals
- Develop and maintain short-term and long-term resource plans
- Forecast staffing requirements based on backlog, pipeline, and projected workload
- Collaborate with department leaders to align personnel resources with project demands
- Identify capacity constraints and develop mitigation plans
- Oversee assignment of personnel to projects based on qualifications, availability, client requirements, and business priorities
- Manage resource allocation conflicts and establish staffing priorities
- Work closely with Project Managers to ensure projects are appropriately staffed throughout execution
- Ensure efficient deployment of personnel across multiple clients and projects
- Supervise scheduling processes and workload balancing activities
- Maintain accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue forecasts
- Review and analyze project backlog to anticipate future resource requirements
- Track project pipeline, award projections, and workload trends
- Partner with Business Development and Finance to support annual budgeting and strategic planning efforts
- Provide regular reporting and insights to executive leadership regarding operational performance and forecast accuracy
- Provide leadership, support, and oversight to Project Managers
- Establish and maintain project management standards, tools, and best practices
- Monitor project performance related to schedule, budget, scope, quality, and profitability
- Conduct regular project review meetings and implement corrective actions when necessary
- Support resolution of client concerns, project risks, and operational challenges
- Coordinate hiring activities based on forecasted staffing needs
- Participate in recruitment, interviewing, and candidate selection
- Support onboarding, training, and development of operational personnel
- Develop succession plans and career growth opportunities for staff
- Mentor Project Managers and operational team members
- Partner with Business Development to evaluate project opportunities and staffing requirements
- Collaborate with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, and financial performance reporting
- Support Quality and Compliance initiatives applicable to regulated life sciences operations
- Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives
Skills
Education
Job description
The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management, and execution of operational activities within the Life Sciences Division. This position ensures efficient resource utilization, effective project staffing, accurate revenue forecasting, and successful project delivery while supporting the division's growth, profitability, and client satisfaction objectives.
The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management, and execution of operational activities within the Life Sciences Division. This position ensures efficient resource utilization, effective project staffing, accurate revenue forecasting, and successful project delivery while supporting the division's growth, profitability, and client satisfaction objectives.
Executive Vice President of Operations
- QA/QC Field Personnel
- Administrative Support Staff
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Life Sciences Division
- Establish operational priorities and allocate resources to meet business objectives
- Develop and implement processes that improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency
- Monitor key operational metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Support the achievement of revenue, profitability, utilization, and client satisfaction goals
- Develop and maintain short-term and long-term resource plans
- Monitor workforce utilization and implement strategies to maximize billable efficiency
- Forecast staffing requirements based on backlog, pipeline, and projected workload
- Collaborate with department leaders to align personnel resources with project demands
- Identify capacity constraints and develop mitigation plans
- Oversee assignment of personnel to projects based on qualifications, availability, client requirements, and business priorities
- Manage resource allocation conflicts and establish staffing priorities
- Work closely with Project Managers to ensure projects are appropriately staffed throughout execution
- Ensure efficient deployment of personnel across multiple clients and projects
- Supervise scheduling processes and workload balancing activities
- Maintain accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue forecasts
- Review and analyze project backlog to anticipate future resource requirements
- Track project pipeline, award projections, and workload trends
- Partner with Business Development and Finance to support annual budgeting and strategic planning efforts
- Provide regular reporting and insights to executive leadership regarding operational performance and forecast accuracy
- Provide leadership, support, and oversight to Project Managers
- Establish and maintain project management standards, tools, and best practices
- Monitor project performance related to schedule, budget, scope, quality, and profitability
- Conduct regular project review meetings and implement corrective actions when necessary
- Support resolution of client concerns, project risks, and operational challenges
- Coordinate hiring activities based on forecasted staffing needs
- Participate in recruitment, interviewing, and candidate selection
- Support onboarding, training, and development of operational personnel
- Develop succession plans and career growth opportunities for staff
- Mentor Project Managers and operational team members
- Partner with Business Development to evaluate project opportunities and staffing requirements
- Collaborate with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, and financial performance reporting
- Support Quality and Compliance initiatives applicable to regulated life sciences operations
- Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives
- Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combinations of education, certifications, and relevant experience will be considered
- 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, project management, consulting, engineering, technical services, or related industries
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams, resources, or operational functions
- Demonstrated success in resource planning, workforce utilization, project delivery, and financial forecasting
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Experience in life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, inspection, testing, validation, or regulated environments preferred
- PMP, Lean Six Sigma, ASQ CQM or CQA, AWS CWI, or other relevant industry certifications (preferred, not required)
- Resource utilization rate
- Revenue forecast accuracy
- Backlog coverage and forecasted workload
- On-time project delivery
- Project gross margin performance
- Staffing fulfillment and hiring cycle time
- Employee retention and engagement
- Client satisfaction and repeat business
- Overall operational efficiency
Executive Vice President of Operations
│
└── Director of Operations
├── Field Personnel
└── Administrative Support
A successful Director of Operations is a proactive leader who can balance people, workload, revenue forecasts, and project execution while maintaining high levels of client satisfaction and employee engagement. This individual serves as the operational leader of the division, ensuring that the right resources are deployed to the right projects at the right time to achieve business objectives.
FST Technical does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
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