Lead Research Operations Manager

About the role

We are looking for a Lead Research Operations Manager to support a government client in scaling and improving research delivery. Working across London, Bristol or Manchester, you will operate at a senior level to remove operational barriers and drive efficiency in a complex, multi‑service environment.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute research operations strategy across key programmes.
• Identify and eliminate operational blockers to enable research at scale.
• Improve participant recruitment for high‑risk user groups.
• Establish and enhance governance, ethics and research processes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align solutions and promote best practice adoption.
• Manage tooling, suppliers and operational processes to reduce cost and duplication.
• Support day‑to‑day research operations alongside the wider GDS function.
• Drive process improvement, automation and explore AI adoption where appropriate.

Required profile

• Strong senior‑level experience in Research Operations.
• Proven ability to influence strategy and lead cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated success improving research processes, governance and tooling.
• Excellent stakeholder management and alignment skills.
• Experience on large‑scale programmes or within complex organisations.
• Combination of research operations expertise and hands‑on research understanding.

Required skills

• Strategic thinking focused on process improvement.
• Leadership with autonomy and strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work at pace and navigate ambiguity.
• Commercial awareness and financial acumen.