National AI Awards 2025Discover AI's trailblazers! Join us to celebrate innovation and nominate industry leaders.

Nominate & Attend

Head of Transformation

SYNLAB UK & Ireland
Newcastle upon Tyne
2 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Plant Bioengineering LMS 2647

Head of Lab Systems and Engineering, LIMS

Head of Commercial - Pharmaceuticals

Head of Logistics & Supply Chain

Head of Finance

Head of Research And Development

As the Head of SYNLAB Transformation Systems, you will be pivotal in shaping and driving our continuous improvement (CI) capabilities. You will lead a team dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and quality across the organisation. This role requires a strategic leader with extensive experience in CI methodologies and a proven track record of delivering impactful results in a complex environment. You will collaborate with clinical and corporate teams, ensuring alignment and driving sustainable improvements. Your leadership will foster a culture of growth, development, and high performance.


Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the CI team, ensuring delivery and development.
  • Develop and implement CI strategies and training programmes.
  • Drive quality improvement through measurement and data analysis.
  • Apply CI methodologies to transformation projects.
  • Ensure a safe working environment and compliance with regulations.
  • Act as an ambassador for SYNLAB, promoting its values.
  • Manage stakeholder relations and progress report.
  • Lead on the development of Continuous Improvement capability plan and training targets.


Qualifications

Essential

  • Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent CI training.
  • Senior operational management experience.
  • Demonstrable CI experience (value stream mapping, 5S, etc.).
  • Experience in complex report writing and policy development.
  • Proven ability to achieve delivery targets.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience in team leadership and development.
  • Advanced data analysis skills.
  • Knowledge of quality improvement methods.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills.
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines.
  • Root cause analysis experience.
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners.

Desirable:

  • Research and audit skills.
  • Coaching skills.
  • Pathology knowledge.
  • Training programme development experience.
  • Experience working organisation-wide.
  • Strategic planning experience.
  • MBA or equivalent management qualification.


About Us

SYNLAB UK & Ireland work closely with clinicians, hospitals, occupational health providers and clinical researchers to deliver comprehensive pathology services.


We thrive in diverse environments, which is mirrored in our workforce, clients, customers, suppliers, communities, and partners. We believe that an inclusive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining talented individuals, and for building a sustainable, high-performing workforce.


Our staff are crucial to our mission of making a positive impact on healthcare. We foster a culture of continuous personal development, providing scientists and staff with the support and resources needed to acquire new skills and advance their careers through learning and development opportunities, coaching, and clear career pathways.


We encourage an open and collaborative culture where leaders act as role models, facilitate two-way communication, engage transparently with staff and stakeholders, and actively seek feedback and suggestions.


Please note that we reserve the right to close any adverts once we have received a sufficient number of applications. If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within two weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.


SYNLAB UK & Ireland is committed to equal opportunities and does not unlawfully discriminate based on any status or condition protected by applicable UK employment law.

National AI Awards 2025

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

10 Biotechnology Recruitment Agencies in the UK You Should Know (2025 Job‑Seeker Guide)

The UK’s biotech boom—fueled by the £650 million Life Sciences Vision Fund and rapid mRNA, cell & gene‑therapy adoption—continues to outpace talent supply. Lightcast reported +45 % year‑on‑year growth in UK adverts mentioning “CRISPR”, “GMP bioprocess” or “cell therapy” during Q1 2025. Yet only about 25,000 specialised biotech professionals work nationwide, while monthly live vacancies average 1,800–2,100. All data verified 22 July 2025; re‑audit quarterly for freshness.. Specialist recruiters remain critical for tapping stealth roles, benchmarking salaries and streamlining the lab‑tour interview gauntlet. We reviewed 60 + consultancies and kept only agencies with: A registered UK head office (Companies House). A dedicated Biotechnology / Life‑Sciences practice. At least five UK biotech roles advertised between March and June 2025. Below you’ll find a hiring‑landscape snapshot, a quick directory of 10 vetted agencies, salary medians, in‑demand skills, interview expectations, FAQs and next steps—mirroring our AI and quantum guides.

Biotech Jobs Skills Radar 2026: Emerging Tools, Platforms & Technologies to Learn Now

The UK biotechnology sector is entering a new era—fuelled by AI integration, synthetic biology, and next-gen diagnostics. With biotech investment breaking records and a surge in demand for skilled talent across R&D, biomanufacturing, and regulatory fields, it’s vital for job seekers to future-proof their skillsets. Welcome to the Biotech Jobs Skills Radar 2026—a forward-looking guide to the emerging tools, lab techniques, platforms, and digital skills driving hiring in the UK's biotechnology industry. This radar is updated annually to help students, researchers, and transitioning professionals stay competitive in a fast-changing landscape.

How to Find Hidden Biotechnology Jobs in the UK Using Professional Bodies like the RSB, BIA, BioIndustry Association & More

The UK biotechnology sector is thriving. From cutting-edge gene therapies and synthetic biology to bio-manufacturing and agricultural innovation, the demand for skilled biotech professionals continues to grow. Yet many of the best opportunities—particularly in early-stage companies, startups, and research-intensive roles—are never listed on conventional job boards. So where do these hidden biotech jobs live? Often, they’re shared through word-of-mouth, member networks, or professional communities—especially those associated with leading biotech institutions and associations. Whether you’re a graduate looking for your first role, a research scientist ready to move into industry, or a regulatory professional seeking your next challenge, joining the right professional bodies can give you exclusive access to job leads, collaborations, and insider opportunities. In this article, we’ll show you how to strategically leverage UK-based organisations such as the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), BioIndustry Association (BIA), and Biotech and Life Sciences Networks to uncover hidden jobs and build a long-term, sustainable career in biotechnology.