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Head of UK Operations

Founderful
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Full-time
Director
Onsite
Discovered 2 weeks ago
Operations managementLab operationsSite launch and fit-outTeam building and hiringBudgeting and financial operationsContracts and legal operations
Free

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Operations managementLab operationsSite launch and fit-out
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About the Company and Role

Adaptyv is building an automated lab that enables AI agents to run biology experiments.

The company is expanding from Switzerland to the UK and plans to open a London lab in 2026.

The successful candidate will establish the UK operation, open the lab, build the first team, and run the business day to day.

The role has end-to-end responsibility for making Adaptyv UK succeed.

What You'll Do

  • Take the London lab from lease through fit-out and operational launch.
  • Manage contractors, equipment, suppliers, permits, timelines, and budget for the site.
  • Hire the founding team across lab operations, automation, and science with the founders.
  • Establish people infrastructure and a high-speed, high-ownership team.
  • Own the UK entity, banking, accounting, payroll, insurance, budgeting, contracts, and related operations.
  • Own the local customer experience from onboarding through experiment delivery.
  • Coordinate with commercial and scientific teams in Lausanne.
  • Build relationships across the London life-sciences ecosystem and with key external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

  • Experience building a new site, geography, business unit, or physical operation from zero.
  • Experience with labs, clinics, manufacturing, hardware, or other infrastructure-heavy businesses is particularly relevant.
  • Ability to work across property, finance, legal, hiring, customers, and operations as an exceptional generalist.
  • Strong negotiation, decision-making, follow-up, and complex project execution skills.
  • High degree of ownership and ability to work without predefined processes.
  • A degree and/or professional experience in life sciences is highly preferred.
  • Familiarity with the life-sciences industry is highly preferred.
  • Comfort using AI tools as part of daily work.
  • Based in London or ready to relocate for a hands-on, on-site role.

Employment Details

  • Employment type: Full-time.
  • Start: As soon as possible.
  • Target lab opening: 2026.

Workplace

  • Location: London, UK.
  • Location type: On-site.

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