Operational Lead NCTC

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 17025:2017, and other accreditation standards
• Maintain documentation systems and support internal/external audits
• Identify and implement quality improvements
• Develop and analyse internal and external quality assurance programmesTechnical/Scientific Duties
• Prepare and quality-control NCTC cultures through the application of clinical microbiology knowledge
• Assist in developing new accessions and specimen types
• Manage data entry, customer queries, and laboratory schedules

Financial & Business Management

• Support budget preparation and monitor expenditure
• Manage the maintenance and calibration schedules of equipment
• Purchase materials within authorisation limits
• Contribute to marketing, income generation, business planning and risk identification

Service Improvement & Project Management

• Ensure efficient, effective, and timely service delivery
• Introduce new technologies and maintain state-of-the-art procedures
• Oversee equipment maintenance and laboratory infrastructure

Communication Interact with other managers and staff both within the Culture Collections and also the UKHSA Communicate and liaise with external customers, collaborators, suppliers, consultants and other third parties

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

• BSc in biomedical sciences, microbiology or equivalent level of experience of working in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory
• Evidence of several years experience in clinical diagnostic bacteriology
• Ability to organise and co-ordinate work.
• Able to analyse and evaluate evidence
• Evidence of supervisory experience and laboratory safety
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills

Desirable role criteria:

• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the qualifications, skills and experience listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) (up to 1000 number of words) word Statement of Suitability)

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 1000 words.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV).

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

We will take piles "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large amount of applications, we will sift on:

Evidence of several years experience in clinical diagnostic bacteriology Evidence of supervisory experience and laboratory safety

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 19th January 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:

Behaviours:

Seeing the big picture Communicating and influencing Managing a quality service Changing and improving

Strengths

You will be asked to prepare and present a 10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be based on the laboratory management and leadership.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Additional Information

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement:

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our scientific campuses - the level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.

If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Seeing the big picture
• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Changing and improving

Essential criteria

Essential

• Presentation

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)