Head of Technical Services

• Lead, develop and motivate the Technical Services team, including technicians, machinists and supervisors
• Own the safe, reliable and effective operation of OQC's UK technical spaces, including cryogenic laboratories, assembly workshops and machining facilities
• Oversee maintenance schedules, internal work orders and operational performance using reporting and metrics
• Manage external supplier relationships, assessing value for money and partnering with Supply Chain, Purchasing and Legal on contracts and services
• Lead cross-functional projects and improvement initiatives
• Manage technical space expenditure, longer‑term budget forecasts and delivery timelines
• Report clearly to senior stakeholders
• Execute Engineering Operations roadmap priorities, align stakeholders around milestones and ensure accountability through delivery

• Significant experience leading engineering or operational teams within a manufacturing, engineering or scientific environment
• Proven project leadership experience within complex technical or operational environments
• Experience managing external partners and assessing supplier performance and value for money
• Strong operational reporting and presentation capability, including communicating effectively with senior leaders, customers and technical teams
• Strong budgetary control, project forecasting and delivery management skills
• Excellent stakeholder, supplier and relationship management capability, with the confidence to influence across organisational boundaries
• Pragmatic leadership style, with the ability to turn complex objectives into clear priorities, motivate teams and escal…
• Degree or equivalent experience in an Engineering or Manufacturing discipline
• Experience forecasting and managing significant annual operational budgets, particularly in the region of £2m–£6m (nice-to-have)
• Experience applying Lean management and risk management methodologies (nice-to-have)
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills (nice-to-have)
• Leadership qualification or training (nice-to-have)
• Health & Safety qualification or training (nice-to-have)

Demonstrates strong leadership in managing engineering and operational teams within manufacturing or scientific environments, with a focus on budget management, stakeholder communication, and project delivery. Proficient in operational reporting, supplier relationship management, and applying Lean methodologies to drive improvements.

• Engineering Team Leadership
• Operational Reporting
• Budget Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Project Leadership

• Project Forecasting
• Lean Management
• Risk Management
• Budget Control
• Technical Space Management

• Stakeholder Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Mediation Skills
• Motivational Leadership
• Effective Communication

• Health & Safety Qualification
• Leadership Qualification

• Manufacturing Environment
• Engineering Environment
• Scientific Environment
• Operational Performance
• Cross-Functional Projects