Director of Operations

<p style="text-align:left"><b>Work Schedule</b></p>Standard (Mon-Fri)<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Environmental Conditions</b></p>Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b><u>Job Description</u></b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h2><span><b>Operations Director, Clinical Trials</b></span></h2><p><span><b>Location: Horsham (Multi-site UK role)</b></span></p><p></p><p><b>Role Overview</b></p><p><span>At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Every day, our colleagues bring our Mission to life—enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. By joining our Pharma Services team, you’ll be part of a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) trusted by biotech and biopharma companies worldwide for speed, flexibility, and quality across every phase of drug development.</span></p><p><span>Our end-to-end capabilities span clinical trial logistics, packaging, distribution, and commercial manufacturing, supporting many of today’s most important therapies—and helping shape the future of healthcare.</span></p><p></p><p><b>About the Role</b></p><p><span>We are seeking an experienced <b>Operations Director, Clinical Trials</b> to lead and scale our UK Clinical Trials operations. Based primarily at our <b>Horsham site</b>, this senior leadership role also supports our <b>Crawley and Bishop’s Stortford</b> locations, with occasional travel required.</span></p><p><span>Given the operational nature of the role, <b>on-site leadership is essential</b>. To support work–life balance, we offer flexibility for <b>up to one remote working day per week</b>.</span></p><p></p><p><span>As Director of Operations, Clinical Trials, you will be accountable for <b>end-to-end operational performance</b>, overseeing Clinical Packaging, Commercial Packaging, Supply Chain, and Operations Support. Sitting at the intersection of strategy and execution, this role plays a critical part in ensuring patients gain timely access to life-changing therapies—without compromise to safety, quality, or compliance.</span></p><p><span>You will lead with purpose, building resilient teams, strengthening customer partnerships, and driving continuous improvement in a highly regulated, fast-paced environment. Working closely with site, regional, and divisional leaders, you will translate business strategy into operational excellence, support site growth and expansion, and reinforce Thermo Fisher Scientific’s reputation as a trusted partner in clinical trial delivery.</span></p><p><span>Your impact will be tangible, measurable, and directly connected to our Mission.</span></p><p></p><p><b>What will you do?</b></p><ul><li><span>Lead and ensure full compliance with <b>GMP and cGMP principles</b> across all operational areas</span></li><li><span>Serve as a key member of the <b>Site Leadership Team (SLT)</b>, championing company values, culture, and strategy</span></li><li><span>Set, manage, and deliver operational objectives aligned with site goals, customer commitments, and long-term business performance</span></li><li><span>Review operational performance, report insights, and drive continuous improvement initiatives</span></li><li><span>Foster a <b>service-focused, collaborative, and accountable culture</b> within Operations</span></li><li><span>Partner effectively with Client Services, Quality, Engineering, EHS, Planning, HR, and Site Leadership to deliver business plans</span></li><li><span>Own <b>Sales &amp; Operations Planning</b>, ensuring effective labour and resource allocation</span></li><li><span>Build strong customer relationships and support new project and line implementations</span></li><li><span>Collaborate with the General Manager and SLT to strengthen and communicate the site value proposition</span></li><li><span>Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing teams, ensuring robust succession planning and capability development</span></li><li><span>Engage across sites, regions, and the wider division to deliver shared organisational objectives</span></li><li><span>Ensure all work is performed <b>safely, efficiently, and compliantly</b></span></li><li><span>Support additional initiatives as required by the General Manager</span></li></ul><p></p><h2><span><b>Keys to Success</b></span></h2><h3><span><b>Education &amp; Experience</b></span></h3><ul><li><span>Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Business, Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience</span></li><li><span><b>10&#43; years’ experience</b> within pharmaceutical clinical and/or commercial supply environments</span></li><li><span><b>5&#43; years’ senior leadership experience</b>, managing both people and business performance</span></li><li><span>Proven leadership of <b>multi-shift manufacturing, packaging, and distribution operations</b></span></li><li><span>Strong background in <b>commercial packaging</b>, including new line implementation and process optimisation</span></li></ul><p></p><h3><span><b>Knowledge, Skills &amp; Abilities</b></span></h3><ul><li><span>Deep understanding of <b>GMP, cGMP, quality systems, and regulatory requirements</b></span></li><li><span>Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, performance analysis, and cost optimisation</span></li><li><span>Data-driven, analytical mindset with a passion for continuous improvement</span></li><li><span>Ability to lead cross-functionally and influence at all levels</span></li><li><span>Inclusive leadership style with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills</span></li><li><span>Proven ability to build, motivate, and retain high-performing teams</span></li><li><span>Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities</span></li><li><span>Comfortable making sound decisions in dynamic, regulated environments</span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>Thermo Fisher Scientific is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We prohibit discrimination based on any protected characteristic.</p><p><i>Note: This job description outlines the role’s primary responsibilities and expectations but is not an exhaustive list. Duties may evolve based on business needs.</i></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>