92 Vp Of Operations jobs in London

The Vice President of Operations will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day operations and driving efficiency across the organisation. Reporting to the CEO, this role will lead process improvement initiatives, streamline cross‑functional operations, and ensure alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.

Working closely with functional leads, the VP of Operations will oversee implementation of new systems and technology, monitor financial and operational performance, and support key business decisions. The role will provide leadership across Operations, Project Management, and Digital and Data functions, managing external partners as needed, and will play a central role in delivering the company’s lead therapeutic program.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management for the lead candidate and broader pipeline, translating corporate goals into clear operational plans across clinical, manufacturing, and commercial functions
• Work with the SLT and department heads to design and implement operational processes, internal systems, reporting frameworks, and policies that align with company objectives
• Optimise use of talent, technology, and infrastructure to support company growth and ensure scalability through successive funding rounds
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost, eliminate inefficiencies, and manage operational and quality risks through innovation and tight budget control
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including GMP, GCP, data integrity, and health and safety standards
• Monitor operational performance metrics to track progress and ensure targets are met efficiently
• Drive best practice adoption and process standardisation across the organisation
• Collaborate cross-functionally to streamline the path from development to market
• Champion long-term initiatives that build operational resilience and excellence

Financial Management

• Partner with the CFO and finance team to ensure operational plans are aligned with financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting
• Oversee vendor relationships to ensure partnerships are cost-effective, strategically aligned, and deliver value
• Manage resource planning and allocation to support efficient execution against strategic goals

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and support operational teams to meet both day-to-day objectives and long-term priorities
• Champion a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement in line with core company values

Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Finance, Life Sciences, or a related field (MBA or PhD preferred).
• Ability to drive performance in line with strategy, strong leadership and engagement skills, cultural fluency, vision, expertise in continuous improvement, knowledge of process transformation, and risk management
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, particularly in cell therapy with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business strategies.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to navigate complex business environments and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience in cell therapy is highly desirable.
• Experience working with boards and committees is highly desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Demonstrated independence, problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, resourcefulness and ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to efficiently and productively communicate both verbally and in writing across all levels of the organization and externally.

• Lead and manage continuous improvement projects from conception to completion, ensuring successful implementation and adoption.
• Analyze existing manufacturing and business processes to identify areas for optimization and waste reduction.
• Develop and implement best practices for operational efficiency, quality control, and safety.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing principles (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping) and Six Sigma methodologies to drive process enhancements.
• Train and mentor cross-functional teams on process improvement techniques and tools.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of implemented changes.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for senior management on project status, findings, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, supply chain, and quality assurance teams to ensure seamless integration of improvements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and methodologies that can further enhance operational performance.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process improvement, Lean manufacturing, or Six Sigma roles within an industrial setting.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Six Sigma is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex improvement projects with measurable results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Excellent understanding of statistical analysis and process control techniques.
• Proficiency in process mapping software and project management tools.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems is a plus.

• Lead and manage process improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.
• Utilize lean and Six Sigma methodologies to diagnose and solve complex problems.
• Develop and implement process maps, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and performance metrics.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams and training sessions on continuous improvement tools.
• Analyze data to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement.
• Champion a culture of quality and operational excellence.
• Report on the progress and impact of improvement projects to senior management.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in process improvement, operations management, or a similar role.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing significant operational improvements.
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis and process simulation tools.
• Excellent project management, leadership, and communication skills.

• Lead and manage process improvement projects from conception to completion, using methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.
• Conduct detailed analysis of existing operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for optimization.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve product/service quality.
• Design new processes or modify existing ones to meet evolving business needs and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, quality assurance, and management, to ensure successful implementation of improvements.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Train and mentor staff on process improvement methodologies and best practices.
• Measure and monitor the impact of implemented changes, reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) and return on investment (ROI).
• Facilitate workshops and brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations within all process designs and modifications.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or a similar role within an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex process improvement projects and achieving measurable results.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques, including statistical process control (SPC).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing or operational workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in both a team environment and independently.
• Experience with process mapping software (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart) and ERP systems.

• Lead and facilitate cross-functional teams in process mapping, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement data-driven strategies to improve workflow, reduce waste, and increase throughput.
• Design, test, and validate new process layouts and methodologies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports on process performance and improvement progress.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality assurance departments to ensure seamless integration of improvements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by training and mentoring team members.
• Stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and industry trends in industrial engineering.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and environmental standards within operational areas.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget.
• Document all process changes, improvements, and training materials.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma projects.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing efficiency improvements in an industrial setting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Minitab, Excel) and process simulation tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Experience with project management methodologies.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain dynamics.

• Lead and manage process improvement initiatives using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Analyze existing manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for optimization.
• Design and implement new process flows and workflows to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Develop and deploy standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices across the plant.
• Conduct root cause analysis for process deviations and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Train and mentor team members on process improvement tools and techniques.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality control, and R&D, to achieve operational excellence.
• Utilize data analysis and statistical tools to measure process performance and identify trends.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on project status, findings, and recommendations for senior management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Proven experience in implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred), or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Experience with process mapping, value stream mapping, and statistical process control (SPC).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in relevant software, such as MS Office Suite, Minitab, or similar statistical analysis software.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in an industrial engineering or process improvement role.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment is essential.

• Analyze and evaluate existing industrial processes to identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies based on Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design, test, and deploy new process flows and operational procedures.
• Collect and analyze data to measure process performance and identify root causes of inefficiencies.
• Develop and present business cases for proposed improvement projects.
• Train and mentor team members on process improvement techniques and tools.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Manage multiple improvement projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery and desired outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across different departments to ensure buy-in and successful implementation.

Process Improvement Director (Financial Services)

£95,000 – £125,000 + bonus

London or the South, 2 days in office

Our client is a leading investment organisation undergoing a major transformation. Part of this transformation involves building a centre of excellence in process optimisation and automation. They are combining Lean Six Sigma discipline with cutting-edge technology to deliver measurable benefits across efficiency, risk reduction and customer experience. As part of this journey, they are seeking an accomplished Associate Director to lead a high-performing team and shape the future of operational excellence.

The Associate Director will be a key leader within the firm’s Process Improvement capability, taking full ownership of complex projects, embedding Lean and Agile ways of working, and partnering closely with senior stakeholders to deliver change at pace.

Role Highlights

• Lead a high-performing team to design, optimise, and automate critical business processes
• Drive strategically significant projects that underpin the organisation’s transformation goals
• Quantify and deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, risk management, and client satisfaction
• Conduct process diagnostics using Lean Six Sigma tools to identify pain points and opportunities
• Translate business requirements into automation roadmaps and oversee delivery via Agile sprints
• Collaborate across the enterprise to identify, prioritise, and implement high-impact initiatives
• Act as a visible champion for process improvement, sharing success stories and embedding best practice

You Will Need

• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent reputable Lean qualification)
• 5+ years’ experience leading process improvement projects in Financial Services
• 5+ years’ experience managing teams to deliver optimisation and automation initiatives
• Strong track record of stakeholder engagement and business partnering at senior level
• Effective facilitation, influencing and negotiation skills across multiple jurisdictions
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities with sound judgement
• Skilled communicator with the ability to produce clear, concise written and presentation materials
• Experience working with technology teams in an Agile or project delivery environment
• Proven ability to lead change management and manage operational risk
• Advantageous: Change Management or Agile/Project Management qualification

Why You’ll Love It

• Shape a high-profile transformation agenda within a market-leading financial services firm
• Lead on high-impact automation and digitisation projects from strategy to execution
• Join a collaborative, fast-paced environment with exposure to senior leadership
• Access to ongoing training, professional qualifications, and clear career progression
• Competitive salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits package

If this sounds of interest, please click "Apply"!

Due to a high number of applicants, we are only able to respond to successful candidates.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we strive to create and maintain a working environment in which everyone is able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.