The Opportunity: Site Director – UK South
Location: Cambridge, UK Client Site: Our Client (Global Life Sciences Organisation)

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Site Director to lead a large-scale Laboratory Services operation for our client, a world-leading life sciences organisation based in Cambridge. The role has responsibility for the operation of approximately 190 employees, supporting multiple customer sites.

This is a high-impact leadership position with end-to-end ownership of service delivery. You will balance people leadership, operational excellence, and stakeholder management, ensuring services are delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with contractual obligations and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Acting as the primary interface between the customer, external service partners, and internal VWR teams, the Site Director plays a critical role in maintaining strong relationships, managing risk, and driving sustainable operational performance.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for a complex, multi-site laboratory services operation
• Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient service delivery aligned to contracts and SLAs
• Maintain consistent service quality while driving operational excellence

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a workforce of approximately 190 employees
• Build strong management capability through coaching, mentoring, and performance leadership
• Foster a positive, accountable culture focused on engagement and continuous improvement

Stakeholder & Customer Management

• Act as the senior point of contact for customer stakeholders
• Manage relationships with external service providers and internal functions
• Confidently manage expectations, priorities, and competing demands

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, GMP, and EHS requirements
• Maintain robust governance frameworks and proactively manage operational risk
• Lead audits, inspections, and issue resolution as required

Continuous Improvement & Financial Performance

• Identify efficiencies, implement lean practices, and drive innovation
• Deliver cost, productivity, and process improvements
• Maintain financial oversight, budget management, and performance reporting

What Works Well in This Role
This role suits a leader who thrives in complexity and brings both structure and presence. Successful candidates typically demonstrate:

• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
• Comfort operating under pressure and managing competing priorities
• Confidence engaging and influencing multiple stakeholder groups
• The ability to set boundaries and push back constructively when required
• A genuine passion for people leadership, with a strong track record of developing managers and teams
• Openness to challenge — and the confidence to challenge upwards appropriately

What We’re Looking For

• Proven senior leadership experience managing large-scale, site-based operations
• Background in laboratory services, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, or other regulated environments
• Experience delivering against contracts, SLAs, and customer expectations
• Strong understanding of regulatory, GMP, and EHS requirements
• Commercial awareness with a focus on quality, compliance, and service excellence

Why This Opportunity Stands Out
What makes this role particularly attractive is the environment and level of autonomy. You will be embedded within one of the world’s leading life sciences organisations, operating in a culture built on trust, flexibility, and empowerment — this is very much a no-micromanagement environment. The role offers significant visibility, a strong benefits package, and genuine scope to make a lasting, measurable impact on a critical operation within a long-term customer partnership.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.