Program Director

At CMR Surgical, we're revolutionising the future of minimal access surgery with Versius, our next-generation surgical robotic system. We're growing fast, and we’re on a mission to transform how surgery is delivered globally for the benefit of patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems.

Our values—Ambitious, Humble, People-Focused, and Fair & Responsible define our approach to innovation, partnership, and growth. If you believe in making a meaningful difference in healthcare and want to be part of a purpose-driven company with bold ambitions, now is the time to join us.

CMR is an exciting and evolving company to be joining right now. Our commitment to our goal of building a world-class medical devices company is underpinned by the ground-breaking innovation of our next generation of surgical robots and a diverse team of talented and supportive individuals.

We’re breaking new ground which makes working here exciting, it provides autonomy, opportunity and makes the things you do visible. Come and join us and see what you’re capable of.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, Operations, the Program Director, Operations will establish and lead a new strategic function responsible for developing the operational capabilities required to successfully industrialise, launch, scale and continuously improve Versius products throughout their lifecycle.

Acting as the primary bridge between Technology and Operations, the role owns CMR's portfolio of strategic Operations programmes, ensuring products, manufacturing capabilities and business transformation initiatives are delivered safely, efficiently and at scale.

Working across Technology, Manufacturing, Operations Engineering, Global Service Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial and Finance, the Program Director will identify, prioritise, govern and deliver programmes that strengthen CMR's operational capability, improve customer outcomes and support the company's long-term growth.

Success in this role will be measured not only by the successful delivery of individual programmes, but by the operational capabilities established, the business value realised and the long‑term competitiveness they enable across the organisation.

This role is based on‑site at our Cambridge and Ely premises.

Responsibilities

Operations Programme Portfolio & Governance:

Own the strategic Operations Programme Portfolio that develops CMR's future operational capabilities and delivers the business transformation required to support the complete Versius product lifecycle.

You will:

• Develop and maintain the Operations Programme Portfolio aligned to CMR's strategic objectives.
• Identify, prioritise and sponsor strategic programmes that strengthen operational capability across the value chain.
• Develop business cases for major Operations investments and transformation initiatives.
• Define programme governance, stage‑gate reviews and success criteria.
• Chair Operations Programme Steering Committees and provide regular portfolio updates to Executive Leadership.
• Balance programme priorities, resources and dependencies across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Ensure programme risks, issues and dependencies are actively managed.
• Track and report delivery against approved business cases, ensuring expected operational and financial benefits are realised.

Own the successful industrialisation and operational readiness of new products and major product changes, ensuring Operations is fully integrated throughout the Product Development process.

You will:

• Lead Design Transfer from Technology into Operations.
• Champion Design for Excellence (DfX), including Design for Manufacture, Assembly, Test, Service and Automation.
• Represent Operations throughout Product Development, ensuring manufacturability, serviceability, testability, supply chain and operational requirements are incorporated into product design.
• Lead Manufacturing, Supplier, Service, Test and Launch Readiness activities for all New Product Introductions.
• Support Engineering Changes, product optimisation, supplier transfers, cost reduction and End‑of‑Life planning throughout the product lifecycle.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks associated with industrialisation, technology transfer, manufacturing capability, supply continuity and product launch.

Own CMR's end‑to‑end operational test strategy, ensuring robust, scalable and efficient product verification throughout the product lifecycle.

You will:

• Define the Product Test Strategy covering development, verification, manufacturing, supplier, repair and field service.
• Lead Design for Test activities and ensure Manufacturing Test Readiness for all new products.
• Develop scalable manufacturing test architectures, common test platforms and end‑of‑line test solutions.
• Drive automation, digital verification and future connected test capabilities.
• Improve test coverage, repeatability, efficiency and diagnostic capability while ensuring all manufacturing and service test systems remain validated throughout the product lifecycle.

Operations Transformation & Capability Development:

Lead strategic programmes that strengthen CMR's operational capability and prepare the organisation for future growth.

You will:

• Deliver Operations transformation initiatives including manufacturing automation, digital operations, ERP implementation, manufacturing systems and data‑driven operational improvements.
• Develop strategic relationships with equipment suppliers and external engineering organisations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies that improve manufacturing capability, quality and operational performance.
• Identify capability gaps and lead initiatives that enhance CMR's long‑term operational maturity.

Operational Readiness & Excellence:

Develop and embed standardised operational readiness frameworks that support predictable product launches and sustainable operational performance.

You will:

• Establish and continuously improve Manufacturing, Supplier, Service, Test, Operational and Launch Readiness frameworks.
• Embed these frameworks across Product Development and Operations to create consistent global ways of working.
• Partner with Manufacturing Sites, Operations Engineering, Global Service Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, Commercial and Finance to ensure successful programme execution and operational readiness.
• Build strong collaborative relationships that enable rapid decision‑making, effective problem‑solving and successful delivery of strategic Operations programmes.

About you

• Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Significant leadership experience within Operations, Advanced Operations, Industrialisation, Manufacturing Engineering, New Product Introduction or Technical Programme Management.
• Experience leading large, complex cross‑functional programmes within a regulated industry.
• Proven experience in Design Transfer, Product Industrialisation and Manufacturing Readiness.
• Strong understanding of Design Controls, ISO 13485 and FDA Quality System requirements.
• Experience developing manufacturing test strategies and scalable manufacturing technologies.
• Demonstrated success delivering business transformation and operational improvement pro‑grammes.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience developing investment business cases.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience leading through influence in highly matrixed organisations.
• Lean Six Sigma and Operational Excellence experience would be advantageous.

Success in this role

Success will be measured by your ability to:

• Deliver strategic Operations programmes on time, within scope and within budget.
• Successfully industrialise and launch new products.
• Improve Manufacturing, Supplier, Service and Operational Readiness.
• Increase manufacturing yield, scalability and operational efficiency.
• Improve product quality and customer outcomes.
• Deliver measurable operational benefits against approved business cases.
• Reduce time from Design Freeze to Commercial Release.
• Build world‑class operational capabilities that support CMR's long‑term growth.
• Embed standardised operational governance and readiness frameworks across the organisation.
• Establish Operations as a strategic partner throughout the product lifecycle.

Why Join Us?

We offer a competitive salary and a great benefits package including a bonus, pension, healthcare and enhanced global parental leave pay.

This role requires candidates to have eligibility to work within the UK.

#J-18808-Ljbffr