We are looking for an exceptional leader to provide senior scientific, operational, and commercial leadership across a portfolio of enabling capabilities that support research, product development, and client delivery to power Tropic's next phase of growth.
Job Overview
The Director of Platforms will lead a multidisciplinary organization of around 30 professionals across Bioinformatics, Transcriptomics, High‑Throughput Cell‑Based Validation, Synthetic Biology, and Molecular Analysis. The team functions as both a service provider and scientific consultancy, supporting the wider organization by translating company objectives into platform strategies and delivering effectively in complex, fast‑moving environments with competing priorities.
This Director of Platforms is responsible for the performance, reliability, and evolution of the team, ensuring they operate as scalable services aligned with company strategy.
Responsibilities
- Own the strategic direction, performance, and evolution of a portfolio of advanced scientific and technical platforms, ensuring they operate as reliable, scalable capabilities aligned with organisational priorities and informed by relevant external developments.
- Take end‑to‑end accountability for resourcing, prioritisation, and delivery of platform‑related commitments, balancing quality, speed, and risk.
- Lead high‑impact initiatives that deliver step‑change improvements in capability, efficiency, or value, providing clear, decision‑focused updates to senior leadership.
- Ensure robust end‑to‑end data governance and traceability across platform activities, maintaining readiness for regulatory, commercial, and audit requirements.
- Contribute to the creation and ongoing management of budgets, making informed trade‑offs between cost, speed, risk, and value to support sustainable performance.
- Take accountability for the delivery and performance of revenue‑generating services where applicable.
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across scientific, technical, and commercial functions, acting as a senior decision‑maker.
- Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing leadership team, supporting succession, organisational resilience, and a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Strong scientific or technical background in data‑rich or laboratory environments, with the ability to apply that expertise pragmatically to prioritise work, manage risks, and support sound decisions.
- Solid commercial judgement, able to balance ambition, delivery risk, cost, and long‑term sustainability.
- Comfortable operating at senior levels with excellent executive‑level communication skills and ability to frame options, trade‑offs, and clear recommendations.
- Proven ability to deliver results in fast‑moving, complex settings, navigating competing priorities effectively.
- Financially literate, with good judgement when making value‑based decisions.
- Experience leading leaders and scaling multidisciplinary teams or service functions.
- Ability to build high‑performing, resilient teams with clear ownership, accountability, and strong succession planning.
- Strong organisational discipline, attention to quality, and commitment to compliance and traceability.
About Us
Tropic is a pioneering tropical seeds company dedicated to the development of healthier, more robust, high-performing varieties of tropical crops. The company’s current core crop portfolio focusses on banana and rice, which together provide a source of livelihood to billions of people worldwide. Tropic utilises its proprietary GEiGS® platform and other cutting-edge gene editing technologies to develop improved crops with increased disease resistance, higher yields, and environmentally sustainable traits. By harnessing the power of advanced genetic engineering, Tropic is committed to addressing global agricultural challenges and providing innovative solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Why Join Tropic?
- Diverse workforce operating in a dynamic working environment
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- Social events throughout the year
- Competitive compensation and benefits including: Private Medical Care, Medical Cash Plan, 25 days annual leave, and Life Assurance
Further Information
- Job Location – Norwich UK
- Time Requirement – Full Time
- Contract – Permanent
- Closing date - 19/07/2026
