Operations Director
Onsite - Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Who?
FibroFind is a science-led scale-up commercialising a differentiated human ex-vivo tissue platform for drug development. Our priority is clear: to be the gold standard partner to drug developers, delivering the most human relevant tissue insights and translational evidence so that our customers can make confident decisions faster and bring effective therapies to patients sooner.
What?
The Operations Director will take ownership of internal delivery, systems, and process excellence across the business. This is a founder-close, hands-on leadership role in a growing organisation, with accountability for ensuring projects are delivered On Time, In Full (OTIF) and to the required quality and cost standards.
This role is internally focused and management-led, working closely with Project Managers and Technical Specialists to translate customer requirements into robust delivery plans and outcomes. The successful candidate will be highly process-driven, comfortable working in detail, and confident being accountable for results.
Industry or scientific background is not essential — what matters most is strong operational leadership, structured thinking, and the ability to work effectively with technical teams.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Delivery & Quality
Own and oversee OTIF delivery across all client projects, ensuring quality, cost, and timeline requirements are met
Work day-to-day with Project Managers and Technical Specialists to interpret customer requirements and convert them into executable delivery plans
Oversee the running and interpretation of pre-clinical drug testing studies, ensuring alignment with client objectives
Identify risks, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies, and implement corrective actions
Process, Systems & Controls
Define, develop, and continuously improve operational processes, systems, and controls
Embed structured project management methodologies to support consistent, scalable delivery
Develop reporting frameworks that provide clarity on performance, delivery, and variation
Use data to identify trends, ranges, and variability, and ensure insights are clearly communicated
Develop, improve and prepare the processes and systems currently in place to support the future growth of the business while maintaining excellence and optimising performance
Data, Reporting & Analysis
Support the production of high-quality reports that enable drug developers to make earlier, more informed decisions
Interpret statistical data and performance metrics, translating them into actionable insights
Oversee data-driven project management initiatives
Experience with Excel (including macros) is beneficial
People & Leadership
Lead, support, and develop Project Managers and Technical Specialists
Build trust and credibility with scientific teams, helping to remove obstacles and enable effective delivery
Foster a collaborative, low-ego, pragmatic culture aligned with a growing, founder-led business
Measures of Success
Consistent delivery of studies on time, in full, and to agreed quality standards
High levels of customer satisfaction across delivery, quality, and cost
Improved operational consistency, transparency, and scalability
Strong engagement and performance within project and technical teams
You?
Essential
Proven expertise in operations and project management, using recognised processes, systems, and structures
Strong track record of delivering complex projects OTIF
Highly process-driven, self-directed, and comfortable being accountable for outcomes
Confident working in detail and building structure where it does not yet exist
Desirable
Experience working with statistical data, analysis, interpretation, and reporting
Data-led project management experience
Advanced Excel capability (including macros)
Not Required
CRO background
Deep scientific or technical specialism
Prior experience within the life sciences industry
Personal Attributes
Low ego, pragmatic, and collaborative
Comfortable working closely with founders and senior leadership
Enjoys building systems, controls, and structure
Credible communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders