KEMIO Consulting
Office Manager - Life Sciences Start-Up
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Office Manager - Life Sciences Start-Up
Laboratory Operations & Office Manager – London (Life Sciences Start-Up)
Location: London Job Type: Permanent Salary: Competitive, DOE
About the Role
An innovative biotech start-up specialising in Synthetic and Molecular Biology is seeking a Laboratory Operations & Business Support Manager to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. As one of the first operational hires, this role offers autonomy to establish critical systems, processes, and best practices from the ground up. The successful candidate will play a central role in both technical and administrative operations, supporting the CEO and scientific teams whilst ensuring smooth daily functioning across laboratory operations, procurement, health & safety, HR, and business support.
Key Responsibilities
This hybrid, hands-on position spans multiple areas:
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Laboratory Operations
- Oversee laboratory workflows, equipment, and resources.
- Maintain compliance with health & safety regulations and good laboratory practices.
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procurement & Supplier Management
- Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations.
- Ensure cost-effective, high-quality sourcing of lab supplies and equipment.
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Health & Safety
- Implement and monitor H&S policies to meet industry standards.
- Conduct risk assessments and training for team members.
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Office Administration
- Manage day-to-day business functions, schedules, and internal systems.
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Business Support & Grant Management
- Provide administrative and logistical assistance to leadership.
- Support grant applications and financial compliance (e.g., expenditure tracking).
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HR Operations
- Assist in HR onboarding and office management.
- Coordinate team logistics and workplace culture initiatives.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in Life Sciences/Life Technologies, Business Operations, or a related discipline.
- Prior experience in laboratory operations within a biotech or life sciences startup.
- Public-sector or grant-funded research environment familiarity is a plus.
- UK right to work—visa sponsorship is not available.
Technical/Operational Skills
- Strong grasp of procurement processes, commercial terms, and supplier negotiations.
- Knowledge of GDPR, laboratory health & safety, and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO 14001 or COSHH).
- Proven record of managing multiple stakeholders and conflicting priorities.
- Project management expertise with deadline sensitivity.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and cloud-based tools: (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, Trello).
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Personal Attributes
- Exceptionally organised, detail-oriented, and proactive.
- Comfortable in a highly autonomous yet collaborative setting.
- A supply, adaptable problem-solver with an eye for process optimisation.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a supportive, team-focused approach.
- Comfortable "wearing multiple hats" in a dynamic environment.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to join a founding team during this early-stage biotech startup and directly impact its trajectory. By driving operational downstream, you’ll also gain mentorship opportunities and influence company growth strategy. Ideal for those eager to build systems quickly, collaborate deeply, and contribute to science-driven impact.
**NOTE:**Unable visa applications—UK right to work is a mandatory requirement.
Interested? Submit your details for a confidential discussion.
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