EVOX THERAPEUTICS - BACKGROUND

Evox Therapeutics is a privately held, Oxford-based biotechnology company focused on harnessing and engineering the natural delivery capabilities of extracellular vesicles, known as exosomes, to develop an entirely new class of therapeutics. Backed by leading life sciences venture capital groups and supported by a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio, Evox’s mission is to positively impact human health by creating novel exosome-based therapeutics for the treatment of various severe diseases with limited options for patients and their families. Evox has created substantial proprietary technology to modify exosomes using various molecular engineering, drug loading, and targeting strategies to facilitate targeted drug delivery to organs of interest, including the brain and the central nervous system. Exosome-based drugs have the potential to address some of the limitations of protein, antibody and nucleic acid-based therapies by enabling delivery to cells and tissues that are currently out of reach using other drug delivery technologies, and Evox is leading the development within this emerging therapeutic space.

For further information visit: www.evoxtherapeutics.com

JOB DESCRIPTION

Department: Operations

Reports to: VP Finance & Operations

Direct Reports: 2

Location: Oxford Science Park (On-site)

Contractual Hours: Full Time or 30hrs over 5 days

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The ‘Associate Director, Operations’ role is a key position in ensuring the smooth operation and delivery of operational activities at Evox, namely Facilities, Lab Management, HSE and IT. The role will have line management responsibility for the Senior Lab Manager and the Facilities Co-ordinator, as well as responsibility for the outsourced IT provision. Whilst this is a leadership role, the incumbent will be required to provide hands on operational support as and when necessary.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Oversee the Operations functions, including Facilities, Lab Management, HSE and IT.
• Proactively lead and develop the Lab Management and Facilities teams, ensuring all team members are appropriately trained, coached and mentored to industry standards.

• Collaborate with the R&D and Corporate functions to identify opportunities for driving operational efficiencies and fostering a safety-first culture.
• Proactively align the operations plan with the strategic priorities of the business.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory frameworks across the operations portfolio.
• Oversee the Operations teams relationships with 3^rd party stakeholders to ensure service level agreement deliverables are met and that operational standards are applied in a consistent manner.

Facilities & Lab management:

• Oversee the maintenance program for all laboratory and office areas, that all equipment/utilities are appropriately maintained, serviced and optimised to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day R&D operations.

• Identify opportunities for cost reduction or optimisation in both the office and lab areas, without compromising on the quality of service or the delivery of business requirements.

Health & Safety (H&S):

• In conjunction with external consultant support, serve as H&S nominated competent person, liaising with internal/external stakeholders and maintaining compliance with local/national H&S regulations.

• Conduct regular lab walkarounds, inspections, and implement timely follow-up. Ensure company documentation is maintained to reflect industry standards requirements for H&S.

• Maintain the accident, incident, and near-miss reports log and ensure timely follow up of remedial actions, chairing H&S committee as well as preparing H&S metrics for board meetings.

Information Technology (IT):

• Work closely with the IT outsource providers to ensure continuity of service with the labs and office environments, acceptable standards of delivery and that the level of IT operational support aligns with business needs.

• Collaborate with the IT outsource providers to develop IT implementation plans to improve business delivery, enhance user effectiveness and provide IT solutions to underpin innovation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Operational Management: Proven leadership experience and ability to manage/positively influence across matrix teams, particularly within an R&D, Facilities and or Laboratory setting.
• Communication and Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to mentor & lead teams in a fast-paced matrix environment.
• Health and Safety Expertise: Solid understanding of lab safety protocols, national H&S regulations, and incident management.
• Flexibility and Agility: Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast paced, multidisciplinary department with needs of business. Prior experience of hands-on approach to Facilities management in medium sized biotech desirable.

• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to operations-based management, H&S monitoring and compliance, in accordance with company policies and procedures.

• Critical Thinking: Good conceptual, analytical thinking, problem solving, and organisational skills.

We welcome applications from people who may not have the exact experience outlined in this job description but are enthusiastic and motivated to learn the role.