Are you excited by the challenge of shaping world-class technical services in a leading Chemical Engineering department? As our new Head of Technical Operations and Safety (HoTO&S), you will lead and inspire an outstanding multidisciplinary teamof more than 20 technical professionals who underpin our teaching and research.
You will be responsible for a diverse group of technical professionals, including mechanical and electronics workshop technicians, analytical technicians, research support technicians, building services personnel and computing officers. In this pivotal role, you will lead, manage and develop the team, contribute to strategic departmental planning, coordinate refurbishment and building projects, and serve as Head of Safety — ensuring that our facilities remain safe, innovative and fit for the future.
You will provide leadership for professional and technical staff, ensuring that high-quality, technical services are delivered consistently across the Department. You will set direction for all technical and departmental support functions, aligning their work with the University’s strategy and the Department’s priorities. A key part of your role will be to foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performance culture in which staff are supported to develop, service performance is well managed, and the team can thrive.
You will play a central role in shaping and managing the Department’s technical infrastructure and facilities. Drawing on your technical expertise, you will contribute to strategic planning around buildings, laboratories, workshops and shared facilities, and maintain a digital, centralised record of refurbishment and building projects. You will advise senior colleagues on technical infrastructure, capital investment and space utilisation; lead or support bids for equipment and infrastructure funding; and manage allocated budgets to ensure cost-effective, value‑for‑money services.
You will provide professional leadership on health, safety and environmental management. You will oversee safety inspections and incident responses, maintain safety records and key testing regimes, support robust risk assessment processes and chemical storage, and work with the University safety and facilities teams to ensure compliance and promote a proactive, positive safety culture.
Alongside this, you will oversee the operation, maintenance and development of the Department’s laboratories, workshops, offices and computing facilities. You will ensure that technical and computing support for research and teaching is robust, safe and future‑focused, with appropriate systems and infrastructure in place to meet evolving experimental and computational needs. The role is also outward-facing: you will liaise with contractors and suppliers, represent the Department on relevant University committees and working groups, and help deliver or coordinate safety and laboratory training and induction for staff and students.
We are seeking an experienced leader with a strong grounding in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline, together with a solid health and safety background.
You will also bring substantial experience of leading people and delivering complex operational projects, including:
1. Leading and developing multidisciplinary teams
2. Managing complex projects, budgets and facilities development
3. Experience of research infrastructure and external collaboration (. with contractors, suppliers or central services) in support of experimental and/or computational work (desirable)
4. Experience implementing or managing cost recovery systems or internal recharging models
We are looking for someone who combines strong leadership with excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills.
Please see the Job Description for full list of responsibilities.
5. The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
6. Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
7. Access to a range of workplace benefits generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
8. Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
9. Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various and resources to support your personal and professional .