Job summary
Are you ready to take the next step in your cellular therapy career? The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-renowned centre for cancer care and innovation, is seeking a Deputy Head for our Cellular Therapy Laboratory (CTL). This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's most advanced transplant and cellular therapy services and help shape the future of cell-based treatments.
As Deputy Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, you will work closely with the Head of CTL to ensure the safe, effective, and compliant operation of a cutting-edge service that supports adult and paediatric stem cell transplantation. You will act as the laboratory Quality Lead, ensuring adherence to HTA and JACIE standards, and will deputise for the Head of Department, including acting as Person Designate (PD) for the Human Tissue Authority when required.Your responsibilities will span operational management, technical expertise, quality leadership, and mentoring of the Cellular Therapy team.
The Royal Marsden is a global leader in cancer care, treatment innovation, and translational research. As part of our team, you will work in a supportive and forward-thinking environment where your expertise will directly impact patient outcomes and the future of cellular therapies.
Apply Today!Help lead the future of cellular therapy at one of the UK's most prestigious cancer centres. For full details, refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
To work with the Head of Department to be responsible for the operational management of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory. The post holder will also act as the laboratory quality lead to ensure operational and regulatory compliance. They will work in close partnership with the transplant quality management team to feed into the quality management programme and will ensure delivery of training to CTL staff and other clinical and nursing personnel within the Trust.
The post holder will deputise for the Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory including acting as Person Designate (PD) for the Human Tissue Authority.
The post holder will be involved in the core work of the laboratory and is required to play a major role in the development and validation of new techniques.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
The post holder will act as the Quality lead for the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, ensuring with the Head of Department, that a robust Quality Management programme is in place. Participate in the integration of quality control across the clinical transplant programme to ensure effective service provision and the maintenance of the Trust HTA licence and JACIE accreditation.
Liaise daily with the Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory to ensure that the agreed quality standards of service are maintained as outlined in the CTL Quality Manual and in accordance with clinical requirements.
Deputise for the Head of Department in their absence, supervising and taking responsibility for the timely and efficient service provision of all aspects of the clinical, scientific and technical work of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory
Service Planning: Contribute to future service planning, business cases, and integration of research and clinical innovations.About You
Extensive experience in cellular therapy, stem cell processing, and laboratory quality systems.
Strong knowledge of GMP standards, HTA requirements, and JACIE accreditation.
Proven leadership and team development skills in a clinical laboratory setting.
Excellent communication and collaboration abilities with a variety of clinical stakeholders.
A proactive, organised, and quality-driven approach to service delivery.
Collaborative Engagement: Work with multidisciplinary teams including transplant coordinators, consultants, and quality managers to deliver high standards of patient care.
Training and Development: Mentor and supervise staff, ensure up-to-date training records, lead appraisals, and foster an environment of continuous professional development.
Operational Leadership: Support the Head of CTL in daily operations, staff management, and service continuity.
Quality Lead: Drive and maintain a robust laboratory Quality Management System, support audits, manage non-conformances, and oversee document control.
Technical Expertise: Maintain competency in cleanroom procedures, stem cell processing, and GMP-compliant practices including cryopreservation and product release.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
The post holder will act as the Quality lead for the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, ensuring with the Head of Department, that a robust Quality Management programme is in place. Participate in the integration of quality control across the clinical transplant programme to ensure effective service provision and the maintenance of the Trust HTA licence and JACIE accreditation.
Liaise daily with the Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory to ensure that the agreed quality standards of service are maintained as outlined in the CTL Quality Manual and in accordance with clinical requirements.
Deputise for the Head of Department in their absence, supervising and taking responsibility for the timely and efficient service provision of all aspects of the clinical, scientific and technical work of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory
Service Planning: Contribute to future service planning, business cases, and integration of research and clinical innovations.About You
Extensive experience in cellular therapy, stem cell processing, and laboratory quality systems.
Strong knowledge of GMP standards, HTA requirements, and JACIE accreditation.
Proven leadership and team development skills in a clinical laboratory setting.
Excellent communication and collaboration abilities with a variety of clinical stakeholders.
A proactive, organised, and quality-driven approach to service delivery.
Collaborative Engagement: Work with multidisciplinary teams including transplant coordinators, consultants, and quality managers to deliver high standards of patient care.
Training and Development: Mentor and supervise staff, ensure up-to-date training records, lead appraisals, and foster an environment of continuous professional development.
Operational Leadership: Support the Head of CTL in daily operations, staff management, and service continuity.
Quality Lead: Drive and maintain a robust laboratory Quality Management System, support audits, manage non-conformances, and oversee document control.
Technical Expertise: Maintain competency in cleanroom procedures, stem cell processing, and GMP-compliant practices including cryopreservation and product release.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Advanced communication skills in all media including e-mail and phone
- Ability to lecture and facilitate learning meetings
- Ability to produce documents of publishable standard
- Ability to use in-house IT systems
- Competent in use of main Microsoft software applications
- Educational qualification in mathematics
- Ability to perform complex scientific calculations & data analysis
- Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
- Able to deal with advanced trouble shooting in all laboratory areas
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Evidence of proven commitment to continued personal and professional development
- Enthusiasm for job and profession
- Specific career plan and educational aspirations
- Authoritative in dealing with staff
- Confident liaising with other areas
- Proven leadership skills
- Ability to motivate & influence laboratory staff
- Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
- Proactive, receptive to new ideas Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly
- Ability to formulate laboratory policies
Specific Experience
Essential
- Relevant scientific degree, HCPC registration
- Evidence of continuing post registration study
- Higher degree or equivalent
- Experience post registration in relevant field(s)
- Evidence of leadership/supervisory skills
- Evidence of maintenance of practical skill
- Full understanding of Trust and National policies
- Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance issues
- Ability to organise rotas and work plans with a view to managing changing deadlines or situations
- Ability to plan for Trust targets
- Full understanding of departmental quality management, internal & external
- Full understanding of JACIE/HTA accreditation standards
- Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions
Desirable
- Chartered Scientist status
- Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
- Mentoring skills
- Aware of NHS plans, Cancer Plan
Management Experience
Essential
- Full understanding of relevant departmental and NHS Trust organisational and logistical issues
- Understanding of relevant current financial issues
- Ability to manage a budget and identify/deliver CIP plans
- Full understanding of HR policies, issues and their management
- Ability to manage change
- Experience in staff recruitment and selection
Clinical Responsibility
Essential
- Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
- Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Advanced communication skills in all media including e-mail and phone
- Ability to lecture and facilitate learning meetings
- Ability to produce documents of publishable standard
- Ability to use in-house IT systems
- Competent in use of main Microsoft software applications
- Educational qualification in mathematics
- Ability to perform complex scientific calculations & data analysis
- Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
- Able to deal with advanced trouble shooting in all laboratory areas
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Evidence of proven commitment to continued personal and professional development
- Enthusiasm for job and profession
- Specific career plan and educational aspirations
- Authoritative in dealing with staff
- Confident liaising with other areas
- Proven leadership skills
- Ability to motivate & influence laboratory staff
- Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
- Proactive, receptive to new ideas Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly
- Ability to formulate laboratory policies
Specific Experience
Essential
- Relevant scientific degree, HCPC registration
- Evidence of continuing post registration study
- Higher degree or equivalent
- Experience post registration in relevant field(s)
- Evidence of leadership/supervisory skills
- Evidence of maintenance of practical skill
- Full understanding of Trust and National policies
- Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance issues
- Ability to organise rotas and work plans with a view to managing changing deadlines or situations
- Ability to plan for Trust targets
- Full understanding of departmental quality management, internal & external
- Full understanding of JACIE/HTA accreditation standards
- Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions
Desirable
- Chartered Scientist status
- Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
- Mentoring skills
- Aware of NHS plans, Cancer Plan
Management Experience
Essential
- Full understanding of relevant departmental and NHS Trust organisational and logistical issues
- Understanding of relevant current financial issues
- Ability to manage a budget and identify/deliver CIP plans
- Full understanding of HR policies, issues and their management
- Ability to manage change
- Experience in staff recruitment and selection
Clinical Responsibility
Essential
- Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
- Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
