UK

United Kingdom · Research and Development · C-Suite (20+ years)

VP of Research Infrastructure

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, a real day, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

  • Experience bandC-Suite (20+ years)
  • Reports toChief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Chief Facilities Officer (R&D) · Head of Global R&D Operations · SVP of Lab & Campus Services

Built on an analysis of 43,079 real UK job descriptions · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Start with a free Future Fluency check, tuned to VP of Research Infrastructure

Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this role rather than a generic one. About five minutes, and no card.

Start the check, free

1What this role really is

This isn't just about keeping the lights on; it's about building the physical foundations for our next scientific breakthroughs. You'll be the architect of our global R&D footprint, making sure our scientists have world-leading labs, safe environments, and the infrastructure to push boundaries. Frankly, you're responsible for the bricks and mortar that enable our innovation.

2What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

CMMS (FIIX by Rockwell Automation, UpKeep)Expert

Defining strategic requirements for CMMS integration with ERP/BMS, using aggregated asset data for capital planning and predictive maintenance strategy, and ensuring data integrity for regulatory audits.

EHS Platform (VelocityEHS, Cority)Expert

Architecting the global EHS data strategy, configuring modules for new regulatory requirements, presenting enterprise-level safety performance dashboards to the Board, and driving continuous improvement.

BMS (Johnson Controls Metasys, Siemens Desigo)Advanced

Partnering with engineering on BMS strategy for new lab construction, specifying monitoring requirements for critical utilities, and leveraging data for long-term energy reduction projects and sustainability goals.

Lab Inventory & Procurement (Quartzy, SAP Ariba)Expert

Negotiating enterprise-level pricing with key suppliers, analysing global spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities, and managing the procurement approval workflow for strategic lab resources.

IWMS/Space Planning (iOffice + SpaceIQ, Archibus)Expert

Leading long-range facility master planning, developing business cases for lab expansion or consolidation based on utilisation data, and optimising our global R&D real estate portfolio.

Project Management & Collaboration (MS Project, Jira, MS Teams)Advanced

Strategic oversight of complex, multi-million pound lab construction/fit-out projects, reporting on project portfolio status to the C-suite and Board, and ensuring effective global team collaboration.

3What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing inWhere you are nowThe step above
Global Facilities Master PlanN/AN/AN/A
Capital Expenditure (CapEx) ApprovalN/AN/AN/A
Organisational Design & Senior HiringN/AN/AN/A
Response to Major Regulatory IncidentN/AN/AN/A

4How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, honestly: the hard targets, how often each one is actually looked at, and the quiet human signals that never make it onto a dashboard.

Facility Master Plan Adherence
Variance between the approved multi-year capital plan for R&D infrastructure and actual project delivery and spend.
Target · <10% variance on CapEx projects over £5M

If the 5-year plan projected £50M for a new lab build and we spent £54M, that's an 8% variance – within target, but you'd need to explain the £4M.

R&D Footprint Optimisation
Cost per square foot of lab space, compared against industry benchmarks and internal efficiency targets, considering both OpEx and CapEx.
Target · Top quartile for cost-efficiency in comparable R&D facilities globally, or 5% annual reduction in OpEx per sq ft.

Reducing our energy consumption by 7% across all UK labs, leading to a £200,000 saving in OpEx for the year, while maintaining optimal environmental conditions for research.

Regulatory Audit Performance
Number of critical or major findings during external regulatory inspections (e.g., MHRA, FDA, HSE) across all R&D facilities.
Target · Zero critical or major findings in any external regulatory audit globally.

Successfully navigated an unannounced FDA inspection of our new biologics facility in Cambridge with zero 483 observations, demonstrating robust compliance.

R&D Project Enablement Rate
The percentage of new R&D projects that are delayed or hindered due to facilities or equipment limitations.
Target · <2% of critical R&D projects experience facilities-related delays.

Ensured the rapid fit-out of a new gene therapy lab, allowing a critical Phase 1 trial to start two months ahead of schedule, directly impacting time-to-market.

Board & Investor Confidence
The degree to which the Board and investors trust your strategic direction and execution for R&D infrastructure, often evidenced by proactive consultation and approval of significant capital requests.
  • Regular invitations to present on infrastructure strategy to the Board
  • positive feedback from investors during roadshows regarding our R&D capabilities
  • successful securing of funding for major capital projects without significant pushback.
Talent Attraction & Retention
The perceived quality of our R&D facilities as a factor in attracting and retaining top scientific talent, measured through internal surveys and external reputation.
  • High scores in internal 'work environment' surveys
  • anecdotal feedback from new hires citing our labs as a key draw
  • positive mentions of our facilities in industry publications or recruitment materials.
Strategic Partnership Enablement
The effectiveness of our R&D infrastructure in supporting and enabling strategic collaborations, joint ventures, and external partnerships.
  • Successful co-location of partner teams in our facilities
  • positive feedback from partners on shared lab resources and support
  • our facilities being a selling point in securing new collaborations.

5Would you like it

The honest version. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Shaping the Future of Scientific Discovery

You're driven by the idea that the physical spaces you create directly enable groundbreaking research that can change lives. You get a real buzz from seeing a new lab come online and knowing the science that will happen there.

Successfully delivering a new state-of-the-art gene therapy facility that attracts world-renowned scientists and accelerates our drug development pipeline.

High-Stakes Problem Solving

You thrive on tackling complex, multi-faceted challenges that have significant financial and operational implications. The bigger the problem, the more engaged you are in finding a robust, long-term solution.

Developing a global strategy to reduce our carbon footprint by 50% across all R&D facilities, requiring innovative engineering and significant capital investment.

Building a Lasting Legacy

You're motivated by the opportunity to leave a tangible, positive impact on the company's physical assets and operational excellence for decades to come. You want to build things that last and enable future generations of scientists.

Implementing a new global EHS framework that becomes an industry benchmark, significantly improving safety and compliance across all our R&D sites.

What frustrates people
  • Short-term thinking from other departments that clashes with long-term infrastructure needs.
  • Bureaucratic inertia or resistance to significant change and investment.
  • The constant need to balance scientific urgency with safety and compliance mandates.
  • Navigating complex global geopolitical factors impacting supply chains or facility locations.
  • The 'invisible' success – when everything runs perfectly, no one notices, but when something breaks, everyone does.
What this role does not give you
  • Daily hands-on technical work or direct project management of small tasks.
  • A predictable, routine schedule – expect significant travel and off-hours crisis management.
  • Immediate gratification from small wins; your impact is measured over years, not weeks.

6Who you work with

This role directly shapes the company's long-term R&D capabilities and market position. Your decisions on facility investments, global footprint, and operational resilience can significantly impact our ability to attract and retain top scientific talent, meet regulatory requirements, and ultimately, bring new products to market. Frankly, you're building the future of our research, literally.

Inside the business
  • CEO and Executive Leadership Team
  • Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and R&D Heads
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Finance Leadership
  • Board of Directors
  • Legal and HR
Outside the business
  • Investors and Analysts
  • Regulatory Bodies (e.g., MHRA, EMA, FDA, HSE)
  • Strategic Real Estate Partners and Developers
  • Specialised Lab Equipment Vendors
  • Local Government and Community Leaders

7What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • 20+ years of progressive experience in facilities management, operations, or engineering, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role within a complex R&D or pharmaceutical environment.
  • Demonstrable experience managing multi-site, global R&D facilities with significant capital and operational budgets (P&L responsibility for £10M+).
  • Proven track record of defining and executing long-term facilities master plans that directly supported business growth and scientific objectives.
  • Extensive experience in managing large-scale capital projects (e.g., new lab construction, major renovations) from concept to completion.
  • Deep expertise in global Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) regulations and best practices, with a history of achieving excellent audit outcomes.
  • Experience presenting to and influencing C-suite executives and Boards of Directors on strategic infrastructure investments and risk management.
  • Strong understanding of GLP/GMP regulations and their practical application in a research setting.

8What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Digital Twin & Metaverse for Facilities

Creating highly accurate virtual replicas of our R&D facilities allows for advanced simulation, predictive maintenance, space optimisation, and even remote collaboration in a virtual environment. This will revolutionise how we plan, operate, and maintain our complex lab spaces.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) · Real-time Sensor Integration · Simulation & Scenario Planning · Immersive Collaboration (Metaverse)

  • This quarter: Commission a feasibility study for implementing a digital twin for one of our critical R&D sites.
  • Next 6 months: Engage with leading digital twin providers and architectural firms to understand capabilities and integration challenges.
  • Next year: Oversee a pilot project for a digital twin, focusing on a specific use case like energy optimisation or predictive maintenance.
  • Ongoing: Educate the executive team and R&D leaders on the strategic benefits and potential ROI of digital twin technology.

Quick win: Start by integrating existing BIM models (if available) with our CMMS data to create a basic digital representation of a key lab. This helps visualise assets and maintenance history in a spatial context.

9Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Active participation and leadership roles in relevant industry associations (e.g., ISPE, IFMA, Royal Academy of Engineering).
  • Regular attendance at executive-level conferences on R&D facilities, sustainable infrastructure, and biosecurity.
  • Engagement with academic institutions and research bodies on emerging lab technologies and future scientific infrastructure needs.
  • Mentoring rising talent within the organisation and the broader industry.
  • Continuous learning in areas like corporate finance, M&A strategy, and global regulatory affairs to broaden executive capabilities.

10How the AI economy is changing work like this

Before we ask anything of you, here's what we can already say about AI and work of this kind:

The new skill this role is being asked for: Sustainable Lab Design & Operations

Global climate change commitments, increasing energy costs, and investor pressure for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance mean that 'green' labs are no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic imperative. We need to build and operate facilities that minimise environmental impact while maximising scientific output.

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

Your PlanIllustration

Built for VP of Research Infrastructure

3 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Organisational facilities managementIndustry Qualifications · covers 1 of 2 standardsLevel 5
  2. Managing facilities management projectsInstitute of Workplace and Facilities Management · covers 1 of 2 standardsLevel 5
  3. Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process SafetyGQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 2 standardsLevel 5
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Sustainable Lab Design & Operations

Global climate change commitments, increasing energy costs, and investor pressure for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance mean that 'green' labs are no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic imperative. We need to build and operate facilities that minimise environmental impact while maximising scientific output.

  • Net-Zero Lab Design
  • Circular Economy Principles
  • Advanced Energy Recovery Systems
  • Green Building Certifications

Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness

The recent global pandemic highlighted the critical need for robust biosecurity measures and rapid response capabilities, especially in R&D environments handling sensitive biological materials. This isn't just about compliance; it's about protecting our people, our research, and global public health.

  • Pathogen Containment Strategies
  • Emergency Response & Business Continuity
  • Supply Chain Resilience for Biologics
  • Global Health Security Frameworks

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Enterprise Facilities Master Planning
  • Global EHS Strategy & Governance
  • M&A Due Diligence (Facilities & Operations)
  • Advanced Capital Project Management (Large Scale)
  • Investor Relations (Infrastructure Story)

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Director of R&D Operations & EHS (Global)

    3-5 years in previous role

    Skills to master

    • Enterprise-level EHS governance, multi-site operational excellence, strategic vendor management, and leading large, diverse teams.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a major global EHS programme with zero critical findings.
    • Managed a multi-million pound operational budget with significant cost savings.
    • Developed and executed a strategic plan for a major R&D site expansion or consolidation.
    • Consistently delivered high-performing operational teams across different geographies.
  2. 2

    VP of Global Corporate Real Estate / Facilities

    4-6 years in previous role

    Skills to master

    • Global real estate portfolio management, M&A due diligence, strategic lease negotiations, and capital project financing.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Managed a global real estate portfolio exceeding £500M in value.
    • Successfully integrated facilities from multiple acquisitions.
    • Led significant real estate transactions (e.g., new campus development, major divestiture).
    • Demonstrated strong financial acumen in real estate investment and portfolio optimisation.
  3. 3

    Head of Engineering / Infrastructure (Large Pharma/Biotech)

    5-7 years in previous role

    Skills to master

    • Advanced engineering design for complex lab systems, critical utility resilience, energy management strategies, and innovation in building technologies.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Oversaw the design and construction of a new state-of-the-art R&D facility.
    • Implemented significant energy efficiency programmes with measurable financial and environmental impact.
    • Led a large engineering function responsible for critical plant and lab infrastructure.
    • Demonstrated expertise in integrating advanced building technologies and automation.

11Where this role leads

The long view:This role is a capstone for a distinguished career in R&D facilities. It's about leading, building, and shaping the very foundations of scientific progress. The path from here is one of continued influence, whether within our organisation, leading another, or contributing to the broader industry. We're looking for someone ready to leave an indelible mark.

Pay & demand

Pay and demand for this role will appear here, each figure traced to a named authoritative source (e.g. the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, under the Open Government Licence). We don’t show numbers we can’t attribute.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how VP of Research Infrastructure is actually changing. In about two minutes, the free confidence check asks where you stand on each of the ten. That's the whole check, and it's what makes the plan yours rather than generic.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

Also named as a next step, with no page in the catalogue yet:

  • CEO of a Smaller Biotech/Life Sciences Company

12The team that's yours

No two people are taught the same way. This is one-to-one, not one-to-many.

Zavmo is a hyper-personalised AI learning platform. Twelve virtual tutors, each with a different way of teaching, and one orchestration agent that picks the right one for the moment. So every single lesson is shaped around you, your role, and the way you learn. Not a course everyone sits through. A conversation built for you, and no one else.

…and nine more, matched to you after your first chat. Meet all twelve

Start free and meet yours

13What it feels like

A conversation, not a course

Because your tutor knows your role, your projects and your last session, learning sounds like this. And it's different for every single person:

Organisational facilities managementLevel 5

Applied to your work in VP of Research Infrastructure

This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of facilities management, including strategy development, best value considerations, service management, and the management of service providers within organisations.

How the thinking builds
  1. Remember
  2. Understand
  3. Apply
  4. Analyse
  5. Evaluate
  6. Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

One to one, not one to many

No two people run this the same way

A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.

  1. Your actual work Every lesson is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
  2. What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
  3. The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
  4. How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
  5. Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.

See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.

DemonstrateIllustration

Evidenced on your work in VP of Research Infrastructure

You do not finish by watching something. You finish by showing it on the work you already do, against the measures this job is judged on.

  • Facility Master Plan AdherenceVariance between the approved multi-year capital plan for R&D infrastructure and actual project delivery and spend.If the 5-year plan projected £50M for a new lab build and we spent £54M, that's an 8% variance – within target, but you'd need to explain the £4M.<10% variance on CapEx projects over £5M
  • R&D Footprint OptimisationCost per square foot of lab space, compared against industry benchmarks and internal efficiency targets, considering both OpEx and CapEx.Reducing our energy consumption by 7% across all UK labs, leading to a £200,000 saving in OpEx for the year, while maintaining optimal environmental conditions for research.Top quartile for cost-efficiency in comparable R&D facilities globally, or 5% annual reduction in OpEx per sq ft.
  • Regulatory Audit PerformanceNumber of critical or major findings during external regulatory inspections (e.g., MHRA, FDA, HSE) across all R&D facilities.Successfully navigated an unannounced FDA inspection of our new biologics facility in Cambridge with zero 483 observations, demonstrating robust compliance.Zero critical or major findings in any external regulatory audit globally.
  • R&D Project Enablement RateThe percentage of new R&D projects that are delayed or hindered due to facilities or equipment limitations.Ensured the rapid fit-out of a new gene therapy lab, allowing a critical Phase 1 trial to start two months ahead of schedule, directly impacting time-to-market.<2% of critical R&D projects experience facilities-related delays.
These are this job's own measures, with its own targets. Nothing is marked evidenced, because nobody has started this yet. Yours would fill in from the work you bring.

Your passport

This isn't a certificate you file away. It's a passport to the life you're designing.

Every credit you earn and every fluency you build adds up: evidence where it counts, carried with you. Zavmo keeps the map: where you are, where you're heading, and the next step, at your pace, around your life. From VP of Research Infrastructure to Chief Operating Officer (COO), and whatever you decide comes after.

Level 7 · in progressAI Fluency→ Chief Operating Officer (COO)→ your design
Where this takes you

This role is a capstone for a distinguished career in R&D facilities. It's about leading, building, and shaping the very foundations of scientific progress. The path from here is one of continued influence, whether within our organisation, leading another, or contributing to the broader industry. We're looking for someone ready to leave an indelible mark.

See Your Progress GrowIllustration
VP of Research Infrastructure
  • Enterprise Facilities Master Planning
  • Global EHS Strategy & Governance
  • M&A Due Diligence (Facilities & Operations)
  • Advanced Capital Project Management (Large Scale)
  • Investor Relations (Infrastructure Story)
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

14The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

VP of Research Infrastructure is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    5-8 years in current role

    Enterprise-wide Executive Leadership

    • Supply chain management and logistics optimisation.
    • Manufacturing operations and quality control.
    • IT infrastructure and cybersecurity governance.
    • Enterprise risk management across all business units.

  2. CEO of a Smaller Biotech/Life Sciences Company

    6-10 years in current role

    Full Company P&L and Strategic Direction

    • Clinical trial management and regulatory submissions.
    • Commercialisation and sales strategy.
    • Intellectual property management and licensing.
    • Corporate governance and legal affairs.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As the VP of Research Infrastructure, your time is incredibly valuable – it's best spent on high-level strategy, investor relations, and navigating complex global challenges. Frankly, you shouldn't be bogged down by routine analysis or report drafting. That's where AI comes in. We're integrating advanced AI tools to supercharge your leadership, giving you more time to focus on what truly matters: building the future of our R&D.

Imagine having a strategic co-pilot that helps you anticipate risks, optimise investments, and communicate with unparalleled clarity. Our AI Productivity Hub isn't just for junior staff; it's designed to give our executive leaders a significant edge, transforming how you approach long-range planning, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

Strategic Capital Planning AI

AI models analyse our R&D pipeline, growth projections, and market trends to predict future lab space and equipment needs with remarkable accuracy. It'll generate detailed capital expenditure scenarios, complete with risk assessments, allowing you to make data-driven investment decisions for the next 5-10 years, not just react to immediate demands.

Enterprise Risk & Compliance AI

This AI constantly monitors global regulatory changes (e.g., new MHRA, FDA, HSE guidelines), cross-referencing them against our current facility compliance status. It'll flag potential gaps, recommend proactive mitigation strategies, and even draft initial impact assessments, giving you real-time visibility into our global risk posture and ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.

Global Footprint Optimisation AI

Our AI analyses real estate portfolios, space utilisation data from IWMS, and energy consumption from BMS across all our R&D sites. It identifies opportunities for consolidation, expansion, or relocation, generating business cases for optimal global footprint strategies that balance cost, scientific need, and sustainability goals. It's like having a team of consultants working 24/7.

Board & Investor Communication AI

Drafting compelling executive summaries, board papers, and investor presentations on complex infrastructure projects can be incredibly time-consuming. Our AI assists by taking raw data and strategic outlines, then crafting clear, concise, and persuasive narratives, ensuring your messaging is always impactful and professional. You'll spend less time drafting, more time refining.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a VP of Research Infrastructure?

Common routes in include Director of R&D Operations & EHS (Global) (3-5 years in previous role), VP of Global Corporate Real Estate / Facilities (4-6 years in previous role) and Head of Engineering / Infrastructure (Large Pharma/Biotech) (5-7 years in previous role). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a VP of Research Infrastructure progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Operating Officer (COO) (5-8 years in current role) and CEO of a Smaller Biotech/Life Sciences Company (6-10 years in current role), depending on the skills you build.

What level is a VP of Research Infrastructure in the UK?

This role aligns to RQF Level 7 on the UK framework, a guide to the depth of qualification it maps to, not a hard entry bar.

What new skills matter most for a VP of Research Infrastructure?

Increasingly, Sustainable Lab Design & Operations and Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness. These are the areas where the higher-paid, future-proof work is heading.

The honest bit

You’ve started things before

Most of them were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.

There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.

And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.

What it costs

Less than one coaching session. Every month.

A single career-coaching hour costs more than a month of this, and it ends when the hour does. Zavmo doesn't. It's £70 a month, about £2.30 a day, for a companion that knows a VP of Research Infrastructure, works on the job you actually do, and keeps going at your pace rather than a timetable's.

  • Searching and planning stay free. You only pay when you start learning.
  • Your credits are yours. Regulated, and they don't vanish when a subscription ends.
  • Cancel any time and billing stops. No notice period, no minimum term.

Your path, personalised

You have the map. Walking it is the part we do together.

This route runs to 2 national skill standards. That is a real journey.

Zavmo shapes a learning experience as unique as you are. It fits how you learn, your pace and the work you already do. Every step stays benchmarked to recognised national standards. That’s the plan for becoming a VP of Research Infrastructure: personal to you, and it still counts. The first steps are free.

Independent research finds well-designed intelligent tutoring performs nearly as well as one-to-one human tutoring: VanLehn (2011), Educational Psychologist.

A private tutor in the UK averages £35–40 an hour . Zavmo is £70/month.

A real plan on learn.zavmo.ai: Ofqual-regulated units, credits, and a three-month run at your own pace.
Start free No commitment. See your first steps free.

15Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

Other roles in Research and Development

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Your deep expertise in R&D infrastructure, EHS, and capital project management is highly transferable. You could move into similar C-suite roles in other highly regulated industries like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, or even large-scale data centre operations. The principles of critical infrastructure management, regulatory compliance, and strategic capital allocation are universal.

Not sure this is the right direction?

Work out what you actually want from work first, then come back and see which roles fit it. Takes about ten minutes.

This role profile is © 2026Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Build my plan, free Here's the first ten minutes: a 2-minute confidence check → your personalised roadmap → meet the tutors matched to you. No card, cancel any time. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.