The Role: Business Operations Director – Global R&D

The Business Operations Director will establish the operational infrastructure supporting Ailux's global Research & Development organisation. Based in Cambridge, this individual will be accountable for the efficient operation of the UK research site while partnering closely with R&D leadership and Business Operations, HR and Finance teams across the UK, US and China. The role combines strategic operational planning with hands-on execution, ensuring the organisation has the processes, systems and administrative support required to scale rapidly while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.

Global R&D Operations

• Act as the operational partner to the CSO and R&D Leadership Team.

• Coordinate operational activities across UK, US and China.

• Ensure consistent processes, governance and reporting across global R&D.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives with HR, Finance, IT and Business Operations.

• Support organisational planning and strategic initiatives.

UK Site Leadership

• Sourcing premises, negotiating leases and liaison with procurement in China

• Co-ordinate lab set up and readiness for operation February 2027

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Cambridge research site.

• Manage facilities, landlords and laboratory infrastructure.

• Ensure health, safety and regulatory compliance.

Business Planning & Governance

• Coordinate annual plans to support Group budgeting, with UK Gantt charts, budgets and quarterly reviews.

• Track strategic objectives and KPIs.

• Develop scalable operational processes.

Finance, Procurement & People Operations

• Serve as the HQ liaison at site level, supporting the local implementation of HQ policies across Finance, Procurement and People Operations. Act as coordinator between the site and HQ teams. Policy setting and strategic direction are guided by HQ; this role ensures effective coordination and policy execution at the site level.

• Finance: Serve as the primary point of contact for HQ Finance requirements; support the UK management team in financial operations and delivery.

• People Operations: Operate under HQ HR's policy framework and governance; align with HQ HR guidelines and support local execution (recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, UK benefits, visa & international mobility, etc.).

• Procurement: Align with HQ procurement policies and guidelines; support local implementation and delivery.

Compliance & Quality

• Maintain local SOPs and documentation in alignment with HQ quality standards; ensure audit readiness at the site level.

• Support local QA/EHS and GDPR compliance in partnership with HQ compliance teams; HQ owns policy framework, this role drives local implementation.

External Collaborations management

• Support collaboration agreements such as with KOLs, CROs etc with Legal and Finance.

• Coordinate advisory boards, collaboration meetings and external visitors.

• Coordinate Leadership Team, Board and SAB meetings.

Key Requirements

• 8–15 years' experience in biotech, pharma or another regulated environment.

• Experience supporting senior leaders and global organisations.

• Strong project management and stakeholder management.

• Experience managing budgets, vendors and operational processes.

• Comfortable working across countries and cultures.

• Hands-on, proactive and able to build processes from scratch.

Ailux

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Business Operations Director, Global R&D