Head of Technical Services & Facility Operations
Bavarian Nordic · Martinsried, Bavaria, Germany
- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Martinsried, Bavaria, Germany
Job highlights
- Lead major site relocation and engineering projects.
- Oversee technical services and facility management.
- Ensure GMP compliance and regulatory adherence.
- Manage budget, planning, and financial follow-up.
- Lead and develop a team of 15+ professionals.
About the role
About Bavarian Nordic
At Bavarian Nordic, we are committed to saving and improving lives by unlocking the power of the immune system. Our commercial portfolio includes market-leading vaccines against smallpox/mpox, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid fever, and cholera. We excel in R&D innovation, manufacturing, and commercialization—working every day to protect people’s health and quality of life and protecting our tomorrow.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Head of Technical Services & Engineering Projects to lead a major site project (relocation to a new building) and oversee all engineering activities at our Munich site with 385 employees across R&D, GMP-regulated Quality functions, Commercial, and corporate support areas. The role is central to ensuring robust, compliant, and reliable technical operations supporting our global public health mission.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Site Head in Munich and as a member of the Site Leadership Team, you have end-to-end responsibility for Technical Services, Facility Management, and large-scale site engineering projects, with a dotted line to Global Engineering. You ensure maintenance, qualification, validation, and technical documentation are executed in line with global governance and regulatory requirements (cGMP, GLP/GxP, EHS). You set the strategic direction for site engineering, ensuring disciplined planning, risk management, and value-driven decisions. With full budget responsibility, you balance investments, operational needs, and long-term sustainability while maintaining inspection readiness. You lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization of 15+ professionals, fostering a safe, compliant, and performance-driven environment, and actively contribute to continuous improvement and management reviews.
- Execute engineering and site projects within agreed scope, timelines, cost, and quality, with proactive risk management and escalation as needed
- Establish and lead effective project and work-package teams in close cooperation with line of Business
- Oversee external stakeholders, including vendors, consultants, contractors and relevant authorities
- Own departmental budgeting, planning, and financial follow-up for operational and capital expenses
- Define, monitor, and report on KPIs and SMART goals covering project performance and quality compliance
- Ensure strong governance, communication, and alignment across technical, operational, and business interfaces.
Qualifications & Experience
The ideal candidate holds a degree in Engineering, pharmacy (or equivalent experience) with 5–10 years of leadership in engineering, facilities, or technical operations. You bring deep expertise in pharmaceutical engineering, GMP compliance, validation, and technical quality, with familiarity in modern engineering practices (e.g., ISO) and evolving GMP standards such as Annex 11. A proven track record in leading multifunctional teams, driving continuous improvement, embedding safety and quality, and managing change in complex environments is essential. Experience with capital project delivery is key.
Key strengths include:
- People-focused leaders, inspiring and developing managers, engineers, and technical professionals to deliver excellence.
- Project Manager, ensuring deliverance, quality and budget are handled correctly
- Full proficiency in English; for steering committee and senior management presentations
Why Join Us?
- Shape the future of engineering in Munich by leading facilities, and capital investment projects that directly impact GMP manufacturing
- Drive site modernization and integration into a global engineering organization, influencing both local operations and global strategy
- Balance strategic leadership with hands-on impact, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and operational excellence
- Leave a lasting mark by building a culture of responsibility, safety, and quality while steering continuous improvement
- Direct impact on the production of life-saving vaccines and public health worldwide
- Join a growing site with significant investment, global visibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
Application Information
If you are ready to take on a pivotal role in a growing organization and drive meaningful change in healthcare, apply now and join Bavarian Nordic in our mission to improve health outcomes and foster sustainable growth. Please contact Talent Acquisition Partner Charlotte Kehlet Godt at +45 3137 2437 if you have any questions regarding the position. We kindly request that headhunters or recruitment agencies refrain from contacting us regarding this position. Please note that we do not offer any relocation package for this position.
About Bavarian Nordic (Further Information)
Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. We are headquartered in Denmark and have manufacturing, research, and sales offices across Europe and North America. Bavarian Nordic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Key skills/competency
- Head of Technical Services
- Facility Operations
- Engineering Projects
- GMP Compliance
- Validation
- Technical Documentation
- Budget Management
- Team Leadership
- Risk Management
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
Skills & topics
- Head of Technical Services
- Facility Operations
- Engineering Projects
- GMP Compliance
- Validation
- Technical Documentation
- Budget Management
- Team Leadership
- Risk Management
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Engineering
- Facilities Management
- Project Management
- cGMP
- GLP
- GxP
- EHS
- ISO
- Annex 11
- Capital Projects
- Site Relocation
- Munich
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 5-10 years of leadership in engineering, facilities, or technical operations, emphasizing GMP compliance, validation, and project delivery.
- Showcase leadership skills: Detail your experience leading multifunctional teams, driving continuous improvement, and managing change in complex environments.
- Quantify achievements: Provide examples of successful capital project delivery, budget management, and KPI achievement.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your strategic approach to site engineering, risk management, and fostering a safe, compliant environment.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Head of Technical Services & Facility Operations role at Bavarian Nordic's Munich site?
- The primary focus is to lead a major site relocation project and oversee all engineering activities, ensuring robust, compliant, and reliable technical operations, facility management, and maintenance.
- What are the key responsibilities for this leadership position at Bavarian Nordic?
- Key responsibilities include executing engineering and site projects within scope, timeline, and budget; managing departmental budgets; defining and reporting KPIs; and ensuring strong governance and communication across interfaces.
- What type of experience is required for the Head of Technical Services & Facility Operations role?
- The ideal candidate needs 5-10 years of leadership experience in engineering, facilities, or technical operations, with deep expertise in pharmaceutical engineering, GMP compliance, validation, and technical quality. Capital project delivery experience is essential.
- Does Bavarian Nordic offer relocation assistance for this position?
- No, Bavarian Nordic does not offer a relocation package for this position.
- How can I contact someone at Bavarian Nordic if I have questions about the Head of Technical Services & Facility Operations role?
- You can contact the Talent Acquisition Partner, Charlotte Kehlet Godt, at +45 3137 2437 if you have any questions regarding the position.
- What is the expected team size for this role at Bavarian Nordic?
- You will lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization of over 15 professionals within Technical Services and Facility Operations.
- What is the role's reporting structure within Bavarian Nordic?
- The role reports to the Site Head in Munich and is a member of the Site Leadership Team, with a dotted line to Global Engineering.
- What are the essential skills for a successful candidate for the Head of Technical Services & Facility Operations position?
- Essential skills include people leadership, project management ensuring quality and budget adherence, and full proficiency in English for presentations.