SCIENTIFIC BUSINESS OPERATIONS LEAD

Oxford | Permanent | £75,000 + 10% bonus and company benefits | Onsite five days per week

The opportunity

An ambitious, well-funded Oxford University spin-out is looking for an exceptional Scientific Business Operations Lead to become a trusted partner to its Founder and CEO. The company is building its technical team following a successful fundraising round and is entering an important phase of growth. This newly created role will take ownership of the practical demands of running and developing the business, spanning executive support, office and laboratory operations, finance, people, recruitment and wider business delivery.

This is an unusually broad opportunity for someone who combines an understanding of scientific or technical environments with strong operational judgement. You will be given genuine autonomy and the opportunity to become a central figure in the company's development.

The role

You will bring structure, momentum and dependable follow-through to a fast-moving scientific business. Senior enough to operate independently and practical enough to remain close to the detail, you will anticipate needs, resolve problems and ensure important work gets done.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

Supporting the Founder and CEO with priorities, meetings, actions and follow-through.
Managing the effective day-to-day operation of the Oxford office and laboratory.
Coordinating suppliers, purchasing, facilities, equipment and general business administration.
Supporting budgets, invoices, expenses and relationships with external accountants and advisers.
Managing routine HR administration, policies, onboarding and employee matters.
Supporting recruitment processes, including interview coordination, offers and onboarding.
Maintaining company records, contracts and operational documentation.
Introducing proportionate systems and processes that help the business operate effectively as it grows.
Taking ownership of cross-company projects and removing operational bottlenecks.

About you

You will probably have around five to ten years' relevant experience gained within a scientific, laboratory, research, engineering or deep-tech environment. A PhD or other advanced scientific qualification may be useful, but it is not essential. Practical scientific understanding, operational range and the way you approach the work will matter more than any particular qualification.

You Are Likely To Be

Highly organised, practical and quick to understand unfamiliar subjects.
Proactive and autonomous, with a strong record of taking ownership and seeing actions through.
Motivated by making a meaningful contribution rather than by title or status.
Comfortable working across scientific, technical, commercial and people-related priorities.
Willing to move readily between significant business initiatives and routine practical tasks.
Resourceful, discreet and dependable, with sound judgement.
Able to build a close and constructive working partnership with a hands-on founder.
Genuinely committed to working onsite in Oxford five days per week.

Why join?

You will join the company at a formative point in its growth and have considerable scope to shape how it operates. For the right person, this role offers the opportunity to earn broader operational leadership responsibility as both the company and the position develop—including a potential pathway towards a future COO role.

Appointment details

Salary: £75,000 basic
Bonus: 10%
Benefits: Company benefits package
Location: Oxford
Working pattern: Five days per week onsite
Contract: Permanent

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Scientific Business Operations Lead