Research Operations Manager

Reporting To

Research Director

Location

Bingley Head Office (Office-Based)

Working Hours

Full Time
Monday to Friday
08:45 - 17:00

Salary

£45,000 - £50,000 per annum

The Opportunity

STRI is looking for a Research Operations Manager to strengthen the operational leadership of our Research & Development function.

This is a newly defined role that will become the operational backbone of the research department, bringing greater structure, visibility, accountability and consistency across research, laboratory, grounds and consultancy-linked activities.

As our research operations have grown in scale and complexity, we are looking for an experienced operational leader who can improve planning, communication, quality standards and delivery across the team.

This is a highly influential position that sits at the intersection of:

• Research delivery
• Project management
• Client engagement
• Scientific quality
• Operational excellence
• Team development

The successful candidate will bring structure and leadership while also having a strong understanding of research delivery, helping to improve how projects are planned, managed, executed and communicated.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Project Delivery

• Manage multiple research projects and client relationships simultaneously.
• Monitor project progress against agreed milestones and deadlines.
• Identify delivery risks early and implement mitigation plans before issues arise.
• Support planning across short, medium and long-term research programmes.
• Improve project tracking, reporting and operational visibility.
• Strengthen quality assurance processes and audit readiness.

Research Quality & Scientific Standards

• Understand and oversee the full researchlifecycle, including:
  • Protocol development and review
  • Project delivery
  • Data management
  • Reporting standards
  • Scientific quality assurance
• Ensure research outputs are delivered professionally, accurately and to agreed standards.
• Connect practical research delivery with the quality and value of final outputs.

Operational Leadership

• Enhance operational systems and ways of working.
• Improve accountability and consistency across the department.
• Develop scalable and resilient research processes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across research operations.

People Development

• Train, coach and support members of the research team.
• Develop capability across:
  • Project management
  • Protocol development
  • Report writing
  • Client communication
  • Technical standards
  • Research discipline
• Help team members understand not only what needs to be done, but why it matters.

About You

We're open to candidates from a range of scientific and research backgrounds. Turf or agronomy experience is not essential, as we already have significant technical expertise within the team.

Ideal Background

• Experience within a Contract Research Organisation (CRO) or similar research environment.
• Experience managing:
  • Research projects
  • Client relationships
  • Operational delivery
  • Deadlines and resources
  • Quality standards
• Laboratory experience is advantageous, particularly from an operational or commercial management perspective.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong project and operational management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and client management abilities.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Calm under pressure and able to manage competing priorities.
• Commercially aware with strong business judgement.
• Confident leading teams and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Research delivery
  • Technical quality
  • Client expectations
  • Team development
  • Deadline management

Important Note

This is not an administrative or coordination role, nor is it solely a technical research position.

This is a leadership opportunity for someone who can build and develop the operational foundations of a scalable, professional and high-performing research department.

Benefits

STRI offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Company Pension
• Life Insurance
• Sick Pay
• Health Cash Plan
• Health & Wellbeing Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Gym Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity Leave
• Enhanced Paternity Leave
• Financial Planning Services
• Company Events
• Free On-Site Parking