Head of Technical Operations and Safety

Location:

This on-site role will require the post holder to work split campus, South Kensington and White City to lead and manage a cross campus multi-disciplined technical team and manage a varied departmental estate.

About the role:

Are you an experienced technical services leader ready to help shape the future of research and teaching at one of the world's top ten universities? As Head of Technical Operations and Safety for the Department of Bioengineering, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of 45+ technical professionals across our South Kensington and White City campuses, ensuring the operational excellence and safety of one of Imperial's most dynamic and fastest-growing departments. This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic technical and safety leadership with hands-on responsibility for research and teaching support, core facilities, and a broad estate portfolio spanning two world-class campuses.

What you would be doing:

You will be responsible for the strategic direction, professional management and day-to-day coordination of Bioengineering's dynamic technical team, working across two world-class campuses in South Kensington and White City. Your role will span technical staff leadership, management of the departmental estate / infrastructure, including project management, core facility management, Health and Safety oversight as Departmental Safety Officer, and financial planning for infrastructure and equipment.

You will work closely with the Head of Department, Director of Operations, and academic leads to ensure that technical provision fully supports the Department's ambitious research and teaching strategies. You will drive a culture of safety, professional development and continuous improvement, champion technical staff representation across key institutional committees, and lead on capital and refurbishment projects that keep our facilities at the cutting edge.

What we are looking for:

• Extensive experience leading and developing technical teams in a research-intensive or higher education environment
• A strong track record in health and safety management, including regulatory compliance in a laboratory setting
• Experience of strategic infrastructure and space planning, including managing capital projects and laboratory refurbishments
• Financial acumen, with proven ability to manage substantial budgets across multiple cost centres
• An inclusive and motivating leadership style with the ability to build a cohesive team across multiple sites and disciplines
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage at all levels from bench technician to senior academic

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to work with high autonomy in a fast paced and dynamic department, with a thriving team of technical professionals.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• The ability to engage with a wide variety of training and development opportunities within the institution.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

This is a full-time open-ended post.

For further information and to arrange an informal chat about the role, please contact Kenneth Keating (K.keating@imperial.ac.uk)

For information on the application process, please contact Bhavna Patel, Resources and Staffing Manager (b.patel@imperial.ac.uk)

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you experience any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.

Our culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.