VP, Head of QA

Are you an experienced Head of Quality Assurance ready to make a meaningful impact? We are looking for a confident and empathetic leader to head our UK Quality Assurance team at Evotec. This is a unique opportunity for someone with strong GMP expertise (MHRA and FDA regulations) and a passion for excellence to help shape the future of quality operations at a key manufacturing site.

You will bring a strategic mindset, a collaborative approach, and the ability to inspire and guide a dedicated team through a journey of continuous improvement and transformation. Your leadership will be instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

If you have experience in pharmaceutical or CDMO environments and are looking to contribute to a global Quality Assurance network—this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Role: Head of Quality Assurance, Permanent

Direct report: Head of Global Drug Development Quality Assurance

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, Days only

Salary: starting from £75,000pa, dependant on qualifications and experiences, plus we offer a fantastic benefits package and annual bonuses.

Location:Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ

Our Company

Evotec, Aptuit’s parent company, is a leader in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics of all modalities with operational sites in the UK, Europe (Germany, Italy and France) as well as the US. Aptuit Oxford provides integrated Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control capabilities to fully support drug substance development and GMP manufacturing on both laboratory and commercial scales for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic quality specialist team. You will be working with a high-performing and friendly team.   

Role & Responsibilities for our Head of Quality Assurance

To efficiently support the continued growth of our API manufacturing site on Milton Park, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, we are looking for a local Head of Quality Assurance. The Head of Quality Assurance is a senior role within the Quality Unit department reporting to the Head of Global Drug Development Quality Assurance. You will lead the QA team to guarantee GMP compliance aspects related to company business.

• Leadership of the UK Quality Assurance (QA) Department
• Driving Quality Assurance with Continuous Improvement techniques throughout the organisation
• Ensure Evotec’s global QA policies and initiatives are implemented at the Oxford site
• Ensure QA personnel are trained and knowledgeable to perform their assigned job description
• Ensure all activities within the QA department are in line with Evotec policy, and is cGMP compliant at all times
• Monitor Quality KPIs for the site and provide trends to Site Quality Council (SQC) and relevant corporate management
• Drive improvements in site KPI’s from adverse trends reported in SQC
• Consult all departments to ensure their compliance to Evotec policy, best practice and cGMP
• Lead initiatives to drive improvements in the standards of cGMP and quality culture across the sites
• Produce results in line with Evotec policy, best practice and cGMP in the desired time frames as directed by the business and by their line manager
• Leading change and risk management activities for Quality
• Quality Assurance Representative within the UK Site Leadership

Key Skills

• The willingness and ability to consistently perform all Quality Leadership tasks
• The confident ability to take decisions in a timely and reasonable manner
• Have consistency in the project results generated
• The ability to inspire trust and confidence from key internal and external stakeholders from routine performance
• An excellent awareness of cGMP procedures and API Manufacturing, within both the QA Department and other areas of the business
• A deep understanding of how Evotec’s procedures relate in the larger regulatory environment and an ability to place them in context
• The ability to lead the Quality Assurance division independently and with gravitas
• Have excellent time management and organisational skills
• Communicates clearly across all departments to resolve any Quality related issues
• Perform cGMP and Quality related intra- and inter-departmental training and on-boarding of new staff members across site
• Creative thinker with the ability to suggest innovative and practical solutions to problems
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on all matters of Quality
• Oversee both internal and external audits to ensure Evotec Quality policy is upheld
• To oversee all projects to ensure the business continues to operate to cGMP

Other skills or attributes

• Highly influential leader with the ability to build strong and lasting relationships, with an approachable nature who can support and develop within the team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Dynamic with a vision for success
• An in depth understanding of QA processes and requirements in a commercial environment
• A thorough and extensive knowledge of cGMP, API Manufacturing and other Regulatory requirements
• Experience hosting MHRA, FDA and other regulatory/health authority inspections
• Display resourcefulness, innovation and initiative
• Must be self-motivated and dynamic with the ability to manage project budgets, schedules and have excellent communication skills with clients, suppliers and internal departments
• Clear Investigation skills

Company Benefits

• Pension on completion of (but not subject to) your 3-month probationary period. Contributions 6% for employees (salary sacrifice) and 6% for the employer. The employee can opt to increase their contribution and the employer will match the increase up to a maximum of 7.5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employees and their partner/family under the company scheme.
• Private dental cover, after 3 months of service.
• Life assurance at four times your annual base salary.
• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services.
• Permanent health insurance provides 75% of the base salary after the qualifying period.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme. This is a discretionary benefit.
• Excellent training and support and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Refer a friend scheme, team and annual events, recognition awards and many more!

Onsite Facilities

• On-site parking and discounted gym.
• Subsidised Restaurant, which offers an excellent breakfast and lunch selection.
• Good public transport links with bus service.

If you are Interested?

Please apply NOW – uploading your up-to-date CV and cover letter to Workday

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.