Lab Operations Manager

Your new company
You'll be joining an exciting London-based biotech company developing next-generation therapeutics as they go into their next phase of growth. As one of the earliest operational hires, you will play a critical role in building the company's laboratory infrastructure while establishing the external CRO partnerships that will underpin future preclinical development activities.

Your new role
As the Lab & CRO Operations Manager, you will be responsible for establishing and managing laboratory operations while providing oversight of outsourced preclinical studies. This is a highly visible role combining laboratory management, vendor oversight, project coordination, and operational leadership. This is a permanent role. Working closely with the company's senior leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading the buildout of a new laboratory, including equipment procurement, facility setup, safety processes, and operational readiness
Managing laboratory operations, inventory, consumables, equipment maintenance, calibration, and documentation
Establishing and maintaining SOPs and operational processes to support scientific activities
Overseeing relationships with CRO partners supporting cell biology, in vivo, biodistribution, and toxicology studies
Coordinating study timelines, data transfer, sample logistics, and reporting between CROs and internal teams
Providing quality oversight to ensure studies meet protocol requirements, timelines, and data quality standards
Managing budgets, procurement activities, vendor negotiations, and service contracts
Supporting vendor selection and evaluation for new outsourcing partnerships
Ensuring compliance with laboratory safety requirements and BSL-2 standards

What you'll need to succeed
A successful candidate will bring a combination of laboratory operations expertise, strong organisational skills, and experience managing external partners.

MSc or PhD (or equivalent experience) in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related life sciences discipline
Experience managing molecular biology, cell biology, or translational research laboratories
Proven experience supporting laboratory setup, expansion, or buildout activities
Working knowledge of mammalian cell culture, molecular biology workflows, and laboratory operations
Experience managing CROs, vendors, or outsourced research programmes
Fluent Mandarin and English communication skills
Strong project management and organisational abilities
Experience managing procurement, budgeting, inventory, and vendor contracts
Ability to work effectively across scientific, operational, and external stakeholder groups
The following would be advantageous:

Startup or early-stage biotech experience
Experience managing preclinical studies through Chinese CROs
Familiarity with gene therapy or gene editing programmes

What you'll get in return
You'll have the chance to make a significant impact on the company's operations and get a generous salary package.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Keywords: Operations, Manager, Laboratory, Biotech, Pharmaceutical, CRO, Vendor, Procurement, Budgeting, Compliance, Biosafety, Cell, Biology, Molecular, Preclinical, Toxicology, Biodistribution, Inventory, Logistics, Shipping, Governance, Study, Quality, Oversight, Mandarin, Equipment, Maintenance, Contracts, Research, Programme
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed