Lab Operations Manager

The Opportunity: The Research Services Manager for Lab Management is responsible for managing BAU Lab management operations on customer sites and leading the Lab Operations Lead Location: Cambridge, UK Employment Type: Permanent Due to an Internal Promotion, We're Hiring! An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate leader to join our team as Lab Operations Lead in Cambridge. Following an internal promotion, we are seeking a senior operational leader to oversee the delivery of laboratory support services across a dynamic and innovative R&D environment. This is a strategic leadership role for an individual with a strong scientific background and proven experience leading managers and multi-disciplinary laboratory support teams. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of critical laboratory support services that enable scientific research, while driving operational excellence, innovation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for leading managers who oversee the day-to-day delivery of laboratory support services across multiple R&D laboratory environments.

About the Role As Lab Operations Lead, you will provide leadership and direction for laboratory support services across multiple R&D laboratories. Through your team of managers and supervisors, you will ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality operational support services, including laboratory logistics, inventory management, laboratory stores, and workplace support functions that enable scientists to focus on groundbreaking research. You will have overall accountability for service performance, customer satisfaction, financial management, operational effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. A key aspect of this role is leading and developing operational leaders, ensuring they have the capability, resources, and direction to deliver outstanding services while supporting evolving business requirements. This position requires an experienced leader who can balance strategic thinking with operational oversight, partnering with scientific stakeholders and senior leadership to shape the future of laboratory support services through innovation, data-driven decision making, and digital transformation.

• Laboratory Operations & Service Delivery Lead laboratory support operations across R&D laboratories through a team of managers and supervisors.
• Ensure effective delivery of laboratory support services, stock management, inventory control, and stores operations.
• Drive consistent service delivery standards across multiple laboratory environments and operational teams.
• Support extended working patterns and evolving business requirements.
• Ensure business continuity and operational excellence across all support functions.
• Monitor service performance and proactively address operational risks and challenges.
• Manage service escalations and ensure timely resolution of operational issues.
• Stakeholder & Customer Management Act as the primary interface between laboratory users, senior stakeholders, suppliers, and support functions.
• Lead customer meetings, governance reviews, and operational performance discussions.
• Build strong relationships with scientific, operational, and business leaders.
• Provide proactive communication and effective stakeholder management at all levels of the organisation.
• Promote a customer-focused culture and continuously improve the laboratory user experience.
• Partner with R&D leadership to understand future requirements and align service delivery strategies accordingly.
• Operational & Financial Management Oversee operational and financial processes, including: Cost journaling and cost centre cross-charging activities. Building-related operational activities. Evacuation planning and return-to-building processes. Resource planning and allocation. Ensure resources are effectively managed to meet current and future business needs. Manage budgets, operational performance targets, and service level commitments. Drive accountability for performance, quality, and cost management across operational teams.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation Drive service performance through reporting, metrics, and data analysis. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for service enhancement. Lead Lean initiatives and continuous improvement projects across laboratory support functions. Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and innovative service solutions. Champion digital transformation and AI-driven initiatives to improve productivity, efficiency, and customer experience. Support sustainability and operational excellence programmes. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the wider operations team.
• Leadership & People Management Lead, coach, and develop a team of operational managers responsible for laboratory support service delivery. Build leadership capability across the management team, ensuring consistent people management practices and high levels of engagement. Provide strategic direction and oversight to multiple laboratory support functions and teams. Create a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged culture focused on collaboration and customer excellence. Establish clear performance expectations, objectives, and accountability measures across service delivery teams. Drive succession planning, talent development, and retention initiatives. Lead organisational change and workforce planning activities to meet current and future business requirements. Support recruitment and development of managers and key operational talent. Act as deputy for senior leadership when required.
• Compliance, Safety & Wellbeing Ensure compliance with all health, safety, quality