Vice President Information Technology

SERB Pharmaceuticals; Weybridge; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Discretionary Bonus Plan

25 annual leave days

Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

Academic Study Assistance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

SERB Pharmaceuticals seeks a VP of IT to lead a global IT function, shaping strategy and driving transformation across multiple geographies including the UK. You will manage core operations, security, data/BI initiatives, and a multi-million euro budget while partnering with executive teams to enable growth and innovation.

The role requires extensive international exposure, pharma/regulatory familiarity, and a track record in large-scale IT programmes, M&A due diligence, and cost discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Significant experience with SAP S/4HANA in an international environment.
• Proven ability to manage IT budgets across multiple countries.
• Experience in pharma or a regulated industry is preferred.
• Exposure to private equity-backed organisations and M&A due diligence.
• Executive MBA or equivalent business qualification is desirable.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g. Microsoft, Cisco, SAP).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing global IT organisation across geographies.
• Ensure reliability, security, and evolution of IT operations, including data/BI.
• Define and manage IT budgets with disciplined allocation of resources.
• Drive IT strategy aligned with group priorities and enable innovation.
• Act as strategic partner to business, advise on technology trends and ROI.
• Oversee risk, compliance, cybersecurity, and business continuity.
• Lead M&A due diligence and post-merger IT integration.
• Foster talent development and change across geographies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Budget management

IT governance

M&A due diligence

Cybersecurity awareness

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science/Information Systems or related field

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

SERB is a fast-growing global specialty pharma company designed to address rare and urgent conditions by delivering life-saving medicines when time and complexity leave no room for failure.

We operate end-to-end across 100+ countries, ensuring 70+ essential medicines for rare diseases, emergency care, and medical countermeasures reach patients and clinicians with urgency - wherever and whenever they are needed. Shaped over the past 25 years by an entrepreneurial, disruptive spirit, SERB combines the focus and agility of a biotech with the scale, reach, and reliability of a global pharmaceutical company - always grounded in medical purpose, not corporate convention.

Our 600+ employees are driven by three core values:

• Patients first, always


• Patients are not a concept — they are why we act, especially when time matters most.


• Impact focused


• We are agile, entrepreneurial, and disciplined - working smart and learning continuously to deliver results that matter, with the consistency, quality, and trust that critical care demands.


• We go the extra mile - together - because our shared commitment drives extraordinary outcomes.

Guided by a clear ambition and a relentless focus on patients, SERB continues to expand through selective, innovative acquisitions, launching new treatments and entering new geographies. Across every step - from integration to delivery - our people act with passion, ownership, and determination to ensure life-saving medicines become available to patients who need them, worldwide.

Broad Overview

The VP, IT is accountable for shaping and delivering the Group’s technology vision, ensuring that IT acts as a key enabler of business performance, scalability, and transformation.

This role encompasses:

• Leading and developing a high-performing global IT organisation, operating across key geographies including the UK, United States, France, and Australia, with a strong focus on alignment, engagement, and delivery excellence;


• Ensuring the reliability, security, and continuous evolution of core IT operations, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, business applications, and data/BI capabilities, to support business continuity and growth at a global level;


• Driving disciplined financial stewardship, with responsibility for a c.€3m global IT budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and prioritisation of high-value initiatives;


• Defining and executing a forward-looking IT strategy, fully aligned with the Group’s strategic priorities, leveraging best-in-class and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, enable innovation, and support the organisation’s scale and ambitions.

As VP - IT, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Contribute actively to the Group’s strategic and operational governance, ensuring IT priorities are fully aligned with business objectives and growth roadmap;


• Define and embed a clear IT vision, positioning technology as a key driver of performance, scalability, and transformation across the organisation;


• Lead strategic and operational planning, prioritising IT initiatives to maximise business impact and enable innovation;

Organisation, Talent & Change

• Build and lead a high-performing IT organisation, including talent development, succession planning, and capability building across geographies;


• Design and maintain an efficient and scalable IT operating model aligned with business needs and cost discipline;


• Lead organisational change initiatives, fostering engagement, accountability, and alignment with Group values;

IT Delivery, Operations & Service Excellence

• Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of global IT operations (infrastructure, applications, data/BI, and services), ensuring reliability, security, and performance;


• Establish clear IT governance frameworks, objectives, and operating procedures, and ensure consistent execution across the organisation;


• Lead enterprise-wide business continuity and disaster recovery planning to safeguard operations;


• Define, manage, and optimise IT operating and capital budgets, ensuring disciplined allocation of resources;


• Identify and prioritise value-accretive investments across systems, capabilities, and sourcing models;


• Develop robust business cases and cost-benefit analyses to support investment decisions and ensure ROI-driven execution;

Risk, Compliance & Cybersecurity

• Assess, manage, and communicate IT-related risks, including cybersecurity, regulatory, and operational exposures;


• Ensure all IT systems and processes are fully compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and Group standards;

Transformation & Business Partnership

• Act as a strategic partner to the business, advising senior leadership on technology trends, risks, and opportunities impacting performance and competitiveness;


• Support key strategic initiatives, including M&A due diligence and post-acquisition integration, ensuring alignment of systems and processes;


• Drive continuous improvement and innovation by leveraging emerging technologies appropriate to the Group’s scale and ambitions;


• Maintain a strong external perspective on market trends, technologies, and cost benchmarks to inform any strategic decisions

Leadership & Culture

• Lead recruitment, development, and retention of IT talent in line with Group objectives;


• Ensure all activities are carried out in alignment with Company values and expected leadership behaviours.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list, and you may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties compatible with your experience and competencies. This description may be varied from time to time to reflect changing business requirements.

To be successful in this role, you should demonstrate:

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to build, engage, and develop high-performing teams in a global environment


• Pragmatic, hands-on leadership style combined with a strong delivery mindset (\"can-do\" attitude)


• High level of ownership and autonomy, with a proven ability to operate effectively in lean, fast-paced organisations


• Strong personal drive for results, implemented with a sense of urgency and a relentless focus on efficient and timely execution


• Demonstrated track record in delivering complex, business-critical IT programmes and strategic transformation initiatives


• Strong business partnering and alignment capabilities, with the ability to translate business needs into technology solutions


• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, both written and verbal


• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset, with solid financial acumen and advanced proficiency in Excel


• Ability to prioritise, make decisions under pressure, and operate effectively in high-stakes or time-sensitive environments


• Strong customer and service orientation, with a focus on delivering reliable and high-impact solutions

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field


• Significant experience with SAP S/4HANA (implementation and operations) in an international environment


• Proven experience in managing and optimising IT budgets within a multi-country / multi-site organisation


• Strong exposure to international business environments, with demonstrated cultural awareness


• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally (~25%)


• Experience within the pharmaceutical or regulated industry environment


• Exposure to a Private Equity-backed company, with an understanding of value creation, cost discipline, and scalability


• Experience in M&A activities, including due diligence and post-merger integration


• Executive MBA or equivalent business-oriented qualification


• Relevant professional certifications (e.g. Microsoft, Cisco, SAP)

Company Benefits:

• 25 annual leave days plus bank holidays and 3 annual company closure days (to be taken between Christmas and New year)


• Private Medical Insurance


• Discretionary Bonus Plan


• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave


• Academic Study Assistance


• Employee Assistance Programme

EEO Disclaimer

SERB is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment requirements, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the HR Department.