Head of Site Operations (M/F/D)
Copilot said:
Head of Site Operations (Pharmaceutical R&D)
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
On-site Requirement: Minimum 4 days per week
Industry: Pharmaceutical Research & Development
Language Requirement: Fluent English and German
Lead Operations at the Heart of Scientific Innovation
We are partnering with a globally recognised pharmaceutical organisation to appoint a Head of Site Operations for a strategically important R&D location in Heidelberg, Germany.
This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for overseeing site operations, facilities, infrastructure, engineering services and capital projects within a cutting-edge scientific research environment. The site is home to multidisciplinary research teams and sits within one of Europe's leading life science and innovation ecosystems.
The organisation is seeking a strong operational leader who can combine technical credibility, stakeholder engagement and transformational leadership to drive site performance, enhance service delivery and implement long-term operational improvements.
The Opportunity
This role offers the chance to lead a complex, highly collaborative R&D site during an exciting period of transformation.
You will partner closely with scientific leaders, engineering specialists and outsourced service providers to deliver a safe, compliant and efficient operating environment that enables world-class research and innovation.
Success in the role will come from your ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders at all levels and develop practical solutions that improve operational effectiveness whilst maintaining exceptional service standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all site operations, facilities management activities, engineering services, infrastructure and capital project delivery.
- Develop and execute a site transformation roadmap focused on operational excellence, governance, customer experience and continuous improvement.
- Act as the primary operational partner to local business leadership and scientific stakeholders.
- Manage strategic relationships with outsourced service providers, ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs, SLAs and performance expectations.
- Ensure site operations remain safe, compliant and audit-ready across Quality, EHS and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and manage annual operating budgets and long-term facilities investment plans.
- Drive infrastructure reliability, sustainability and business continuity initiatives.
- Lead site governance forums and coordinate cross-functional decision-making.
- Resolve operational challenges and drive effective execution across multiple stakeholders.
- Lead and develop a small local team whilst influencing a wider network of internal and external partners.
What We're Looking For
Essential Background
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Life Sciences or another relevant scientific discipline.
- Significant experience leading site operations, facilities, engineering services or capital projects within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life sciences sector.
- Proven track record delivering organisational transformation, operational improvement or change management programmes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior leaders, scientific teams, engineering specialists and external partners.
- Experience managing outsourced service providers and contractor-led operating models.
- Financially astute with responsibility for operational and capital expenditure budgets.
- Fluent English and German language skills.
Highly Desirable
- Experience supporting pharmaceutical R&D environments.
- Knowledge of GMP, GxP, laboratory or research facility operations.
- Facilities management, engineering services or technical operations leadership experience.
- Exposure to multi-disciplinary scientific campuses, research institutes or complex technical facilities.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Lead operations for a high-profile pharmaceutical R&D site.
- Play a key role in shaping and delivering a site-wide transformation strategy.
- Join a globally respected organisation driving scientific innovation and patient impact.
- Work in a collaborative, research-focused environment alongside leading scientists and technical experts.
- Significant visibility with senior leadership and opportunity to influence long-term site strategy.
- Autonomy to make meaningful operational improvements and deliver lasting change.
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