Job Description
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