About ELIXIR
ELIXIR is an intergovernmental organisation that unites Europes leading life science organisations in managing and safeguarding the growing volume of data generated by publicly funded research. With 21 national Nodes and a central Hub hosted at EMBL-EBI, also a Node, ELIXIR builds sustainable data infrastructure to accelerate discoveries in medicine, agriculture, and the environment. For more information about ELIXIR, visit https://elixir-europe.org/
We have an opportunity for a Head of Operations a strategic, people-focused leader to drive operational excellence across the ELIXIR Hub and coordinate implementation of our scientific programme across Europe.
Your role
As Head of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of ELIXIRs distributed organisation. Reporting directly to the ELIXIR Director, you will lead the Hubs Operations team and take responsibility for the effective delivery of ELIXIRs governance, planning, financial, and administrative frameworks.
You will shape and oversee ELIXIRs annual planning and budgeting cycles, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment across the Hub and its 22 Nodes. A key focus of your role will be to drive digital transformation developing self-service platforms and modern workflows that increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden.
Working in close partnership with colleagues in science, technology, legal, project management, and external relations, you will ensure cross-functional coordination and enable effective operational delivery across the organisation.
Key responsibilities
Operational Leadership: Lead the Operations team (7 staff) and ensure high performance through effective management, coaching, and professional development.
Planning & Budgeting: Oversee ELIXIRs annual planning, financial forecasting, and resource allocation to ensure the timely delivery of strategic and operational objectives.
Governance Support: Coordinate ELIXIRs governance processes including the ELIXIR Board, Scientific Advisory Board, and Heads of Nodes Committee in partnership with the General Counsel.
Operational Excellence: Continuously improve and digitalise operational processes across the Hub, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
Cross-Functional Coordination: Build strong working relationships across technical, legal, scientific, and communications teams to resolve cross-functional challenges early and effectively.
Compliance & Risk: Maintain oversight of compliance management, risk mitigation, and business continuity, ensuring alignment with relevant regulations and policies.
Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong connections with national Node partners, EMBL administration, and other key stakeholders to enable collaborative delivery of ELIXIRs programme.
About you
You are a strategic operator with strong interpersonal leadership and a track record of delivering results in complex, international environments. You combine excellent organisational and analytical skills with the ability to lead teams, align stakeholders, and drive operational improvement.
Essential
Degree-level education and 8+ years experience in business operations, governance, or process management in a complex organisation.
Inclusive leadership experience and ability actively seek to identify your own biases and consider a range of perspectives to inform decision-making and the way you lead and collaborate with others
Demonstrable key leadership qualities self awareness, empathy, growth mindset, active listening, empowerment of others and superior communication skills
Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, resource planning, and organisational governance.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.
Experience managing complex, cross-functional workflows and balancing multiple stakeholder priorities.
Strong judgement, influencing, and problem-solving skills, with a collaborative, service-oriented approach.
Experience operating in a matrix or project-driven environment with distributed teams.
Desirable
Experience within life sciences, bioinformatics, or research infrastructure environments.
Previous work in international or European organisations or large multi-partner EU-funded projects.
Understanding of risk management, compliance, and business continuity planning.
Proficiency in an additional European language.
Apply now! Benefits and Contract Information
Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278 monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non resident allowance up to £569 per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
Hybrid working arrangements
Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
Generous time off : 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays
Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable)
Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
Family benefits: On-site nursery, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract renewable up to 9 years
Salary: Monthly salary starting at £4,825or £5,982 after tax but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances)
International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 15/11/2025 .
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