Head of IT POST NUMBER: 302198
Head of Information Technology
Position Overview
The Head of Information Technology is responsible for overseeing all information technology and operational technology functions within a regulated manufacturing environment. This leadership role combines strategic planning with hands on operational support and serves as the primary technology leader for the site.
The position is responsible for ensuring reliable technology operations, supporting manufacturing systems, maintaining regulatory compliance, driving cybersecurity initiatives, and leading local IT resources. The role works closely with business, engineering, quality, and operations teams to support growth, productivity, and digital transformation efforts.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Approximately 8 years of progressive experience across IT and manufacturing technology environments.
- Experience supporting technology within regulated industries such as life sciences, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, or similar environments.
- Broad experience across infrastructure, applications, manufacturing systems, and end user technologies.
- Previous experience establishing, expanding, or supporting technology operations for manufacturing facilities is highly desirable.
- Experience managing technology teams, external service providers, and project resources.
Technical Expertise
- Strong understanding of enterprise infrastructure, cloud technologies, networking, systems administration, collaboration platforms, and service delivery.
- Experience supporting manufacturing execution systems, enterprise resource planning platforms, and production related business applications.
- Familiarity with validation processes, regulated system environments, quality standards, and electronic record requirements.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, operational technology security, disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and risk management.
- Experience with technology service management processes, project delivery methodologies, and budget oversight.
Leadership and Professional Skills
- Hands on leadership style with the ability to balance strategic planning and day to day operational support.
- Strong decision making skills and ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills with both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
- Proven ability to collaborate across departments and influence teams without direct authority.
- Willingness to support critical business operations outside of normal working hours when necessary.
Key Responsibilities
IT Operations
- Ensure secure, stable, and efficient operation of technology infrastructure, including servers, networks, end user computing, communications platforms, and workplace technologies.
- Lead local technical support functions, including incident management, problem resolution, and change management activities.
- Partner with internal teams and external vendors to maintain service levels and operational performance.
- Develop and implement standards, processes, and best practices to improve service delivery.
Manufacturing Technology and Operational Systems
- Oversee manufacturing related technology platforms and production support systems.
- Support integration between factory equipment, operational technologies, and enterprise systems.
- Maintain secure connectivity and network segmentation between business and operational environments.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams on system enhancements, production expansions, and automation initiatives.
Enterprise Applications
- Support business critical applications used across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, and quality functions.
- Serve as the primary liaison between local business stakeholders and centralized application support teams.
- Gather and prioritize business requirements while ensuring alignment with organizational technology strategies.
- Support implementation and integration of new technologies and software solutions.
Compliance, Quality, and Security
- Ensure technology systems meet applicable regulatory, quality, and validation requirements.
- Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections as the technology representative.
- Lead cybersecurity, vulnerability management, backup and recovery, and business continuity initiatives.
- Promote security awareness and maintain compliance with industry recognized security standards and frameworks.
Team Leadership and Vendor Management
- Recruit, develop, and lead a high performing technology team.
- Establish goals, conduct performance management activities, and support employee growth and development.
- Manage technology budgets, including operational and capital expenditures.
- Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements to ensure business objectives are met.
Projects and Continuous Improvement
- Lead technology workstreams for facility expansions, operational improvements, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Support implementation of new production capabilities, systems, and business processes.
- Participate in enterprise technology programs and contribute to the development of standards and best practices.
- Identify opportunities to improve technology effectiveness, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Success Profile
The ideal candidate is a versatile technology leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment and can successfully bridge infrastructure, applications, manufacturing systems, compliance, and cybersecurity. This individual brings a practical, hands on approach while maintaining a strategic perspective and can effectively support both business objectives and regulatory requirements.By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com.
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
Representation Notice
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring’s discussions with its Client, Highspring’s understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring’s use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client’s use of AI products in hiring.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.