Associate Director - Toxicology

Associate Director - Scientific Operations

Location: Northwest England (site-based role with occasional travel)

Full time and permanent position

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to join a highly regulated scientific organisation. This is a diverse and challenging opportunity with responsibility for operational delivery, strategic development, quality improvement, innovation, and people leadership across multiple technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership, direction and support across operational and technical teams.

• Contribute to the development and delivery of strategic plans, continuous improvement initiatives and organisational objectives.

• Identify and implement emerging technologies, automation and digital solutions to improve service delivery and efficiency.

• Ensure compliance with relevant quality standards, regulatory requirements and governance frameworks.

• Develop, manage and monitor departmental budgets and support investment planning through robust business cases.

• Collaborate with internal functions to deliver effective operational and business solutions.

Candidate Profile

• Exceptional leadership, people management and project delivery skills.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational demands and long-term objectives.

• Commercial awareness and experience delivering measurable business outcomes.

• Strong attention to detail with a quality-driven mindset.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience managing technical projects and budgets within a regulated environment.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of experience within a scientific, healthcare, pharmaceutical, clinical, laboratory or similarly regulated sector.

• Experience operating in a senior leadership or management position.

• Degree-level qualification in a scientific discipline or equivalent professional experience, and a strong understanding of toxicology and trace chemical analysis

• Strong understanding of complex analytical or technical processes.

• Experience working within recognised quality management systems and international standards.

• Data analysis, automation or digital systems experience would be advantageous.