Our client has an opportunity for a commercially and operationally driven Managing Director to lead its UK Biopharma division. This is a high-impact leadership role overseeing two UK laboratory sites during a critical phase of operational transformation and commercial growth.
The business has undergone a significant turnaround journey over recent years, with strong progress already achieved commercially and operationally. One site is approaching break-even performance, while the other location requires focused leadership to improve operational efficiency and profitability. The successful candidate will play a central role in driving the next phase of strategic transformation while maintaining customer confidence, GMP standards, and commercial momentum.
This role offers full responsibility for operational leadership, business performance, and strategic direction within a growing multinational laboratory services environment.
Position Summary
The National Business Line Leader will provide overall leadership for the UK Biopharma business across two sites, with primary responsibility for operational performance, commercial execution, financial management, and organizational development.
The successful candidate will lead a business generating approximately £6M in annual revenue with around 60 employees across both locations. This individual will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, improving profitability, strengthening customer relationships, and driving long-term sustainable growth.
The role requires a highly visible, hands-on leader who can balance operational transformation with commercial execution in a GMP-regulated laboratory environment.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the continued transformation of the UK Biopharma business.
- Develop and execute strategic plans to improve operational performance, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
- Identify opportunities for growth, service expansion, and operational efficiencies.
- Drive alignment between commercial objectives and operational delivery.
Operational Leadership
- Oversee day-to-day operations across both sites.
- Improve operational performance, utilization, workflow efficiency, and delivery timelines.
- Ensure both sites maintain high standards of GMP compliance, quality, and regulatory adherence.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across laboratory and support functions.
- Build operational discipline and accountability throughout the organization.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Hold full P&L responsibility for the UK Biopharma business.
- Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance against targets.
- Drive profitability improvements, particularly at on of the sites.
- Partner closely with commercial leadership to maintain and grow customer relationships.
- Support business development efforts and key client engagement activities.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop site leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Foster a performance-driven and collaborative culture.
- Ensure strong communication and alignment between both sites.
- Support succession planning, organizational development, and talent retention initiatives.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong relationships with key pharmaceutical and biopharma clients.
- Act as a senior representative for the business internally and externally.
- Collaborate with European regional leadership on strategic initiatives and performance objectives.
- Ensure customer expectations are consistently met within regulated environments.
Candidate Profile
Required Experience
- Senior leadership experience within laboratory services, biopharma testing, pharmaceutical services, life sciences, food testing, environmental testing, or other regulated industries.
- Experience leading operational teams within GMP, quality-regulated, or compliance-driven environments.
- Demonstrated success managing business performance, budgets, or operational KPIs.
- Strong operational leadership capability with experience driving transformation or turnaround initiatives.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational execution and customer needs.
- Experience leading multi-site operations is highly desirable.
Preferred Background
Candidates may come from:
- Biopharma testing
- Pharmaceutical services
- Contract laboratory services
- Food testing
- Environmental testing
- Scientific services
- Other highly regulated manufacturing or technical service environments
Laboratory experience is valued but not essential if accompanied by strong operational leadership within regulated industries.
Key Competencies
- Strategic and operational leadership
- Financial and commercial acumen
- Change management and transformation leadership
- Strong stakeholder management
- Problem-solving and decision-making capability
- Team leadership and organizational development
- Customer-focused mindset
- Ability to thrive in turnaround and growth environments
Key Challenges
- Continuing operational transformation while maintaining commercial momentum.
- Improving profitability and operational performance at one of the sites.
- Managing two geographically separate operations effectively.
- Ensuring strong on-site leadership presence and engagement.
- Maintaining high GMP and quality standards while driving efficiency improvements.
Success Measures
Success in the role will include:
- Achieving sustainable profitability across both UK sites.
- Driving measurable operational improvements and efficiencies.
- Strengthening customer relationships and commercial performance.
- Building a high-performing leadership culture.
- Successfully executing the next phase of the business transformation strategy.
Location & Travel
- Primary location: Scotland
- Regular travel is required, anticipated approximately biweekly.
- Significant on-site presence is expected to ensure operational engagement and leadership visibility.
- Relocation support will be considered for the right candidate.
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