Lab Operations Manager

Your new company
You'll be joining an exciting London-based biotech company developing next-generation therapeutics as they go into their next phase of growth. As one of the earliest operational hires, you will play a critical role in building the company's laboratory infrastructure while establishing the external CRO partnerships that will underpin future preclinical development activities.

Your new role
As the Lab & CRO Operations Manager, you will be responsible for establishing and managing laboratory operations while providing oversight of outsourced preclinical studies. This is a highly visible role combining laboratory management, vendor oversight, project coordination, and operational leadership. This is a permanent role. Working closely with the company's senior leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the buildout of a new laboratory, including equipment procurement, facility setup, safety processes, and operational readiness
• Managing laboratory operations, inventory, consumables, equipment maintenance, calibration, and documentation
• Establishing and maintaining SOPs and operational processes to support scientific activities
• Overseeing relationships with CRO partners supporting cell biology, in vivo, biodistribution, and toxicology studies
• Coordinating study timelines, data transfer, sample logistics, and reporting between CROs and internal teams
• Providing quality oversight to ensure studies meet protocol requirements, timelines, and data quality standards
• Managing budgets, procurement activities, vendor negotiations, and service contracts
• Supporting vendor selection and evaluation for new outsourcing partnerships
• Ensuring compliance with laboratory safety requirements and BSL-2 standards

What you'll need to succeed
A successful candidate will bring a combination of laboratory operations expertise, strong organisational skills, and experience managing external partners.

• MSc or PhD (or equivalent experience) in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related life sciences discipline
• Experience managing molecular biology, cell biology, or translational research laboratories
• Proven experience supporting laboratory setup, expansion, or buildout activities
• Working knowledge of mammalian cell culture, molecular biology workflows, and laboratory operations
• Experience managing CROs, vendors, or outsourced research programmes
• Fluent Mandarin and English communication skills
• Strong project management and organisational abilities
• Experience managing procurement, budgeting, inventory, and vendor contracts
• Ability to work effectively across scientific, operational, and external stakeholder groups

The following would be advantageous:

• Startup or early-stage biotech experience
• Experience managing preclinical studies through Chinese CROs
• Familiarity with gene therapy or gene editing programmes

What you'll get in return
You'll have the chance to make a significant impact on the company's operations and get a generous salary package.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Keywords: Operations, Manager, Laboratory, Biotech, Pharmaceutical, CRO, Vendor, Procurement, Budgeting, Compliance, Biosafety, Cell, Biology, Molecular, Preclinical, Toxicology, Biodistribution, Inventory, Logistics, Shipping, Governance, Study, Quality, Oversight, Mandarin, Equipment, Maintenance, Contracts, Research, Programme