IT Director

Centre for Human Drug Research; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ABP pension

8% vacation allowance

Year-end bonus 3.8–12%

25 vacation days + Diversity Day

Fully funded training

Transport cost reimbursement

Bike purchase discount

Hybrid workplace

Job summary

Centre for Human Drug Research seeks an IT Director to provide vision and hands-on leadership for CHDR's IT domain. You will oversee hybrid infrastructure and applications across Leiden and Twente, lead a four-direct-report team plus 17 others, and drive the renewal of a mission-critical data capture system with strong regulatory alignment.

You will report to the CFO, participate in Senior Leadership Meetings, and ensure compliance, resilience, and innovation across sites while developing the IT

Qualifications

• University degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Information Management, or related field.
• 5–7 years of IT leadership experience, ideally in a regulated environment (healthcare, life sciences, or clinical research).
• Proven track record in managing hybrid infrastructure and applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale system renewal or replacement projects.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), NIS2, NEN7510, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Strong business administration and program management skills.

Responsibilities

• Vision & Strategy: Provide leadership by aligning IT strategy with CHDR’s goals, translating them into actionable plans, overseeing implementation, and enhancing IT’s visibility and impact across the organization.
• Operations & Infrastructure: Manage CHDR’s hybrid IT infrastructure and applications across locations, ensuring reliability, scalability, compliance, cybersecurity, risk management, and continuous operational improvement.
• Innovation & Transformation: Champion digital innovation and process automation to advance clinical research, lead the transition to a future‑proof data capture platform ensuring compliance and alignment, and drive adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen CHDR’s leadership in early‑phase research.
• People Leadership: Lead and develop a high‑performing IT team, promote professional growth and succession planning, and foster strong cross‑functional collaboration across researchers, operations, and leadership.

Skills

IT leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Team development

Education

University degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Information Management, or related field

Job description

Drive innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare.At CHDR, cutting-edge clinical research meets digital transformation. As IT Director, you play a key role in shaping the future of drug development, ensuring compliance with the highest regulatory standards while leading innovation that accelerates scientific progress.

The role

As IT Director, you will provide vision, leadership, and hands‑on expertise across CHDR's IT domain. You will oversee both hybrid infrastructure and application landscapes, guiding a team of four direct reports and a team of 17. With CHDR operating across multiple locations in Leiden and recently expanding to a new site in Twente, you will ensure continuity, resilience, and innovation across all sites. A key strategic responsibility will be leading the renewal of CHDR’s mission‑critical study data capture system, a unique in‑house platform that is deeply integrated with how CHDR operates. Steering its replacement or redevelopment requires technical expertise, stakeholder sensitivity, and a sharp eye for compliance and innovation. You will report to the CFO and participate in Senior Leadership Meetings and attend Management Team and Supervisory Board meetings when required. You will provide structured IT reporting and ensure that all IT policies are aligned with CHDR's standards and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Vision & Strategy: Provide leadership by aligning IT strategy with CHDR’s goals, translating them into actionable plans, overseeing implementation, and enhancing IT’s visibility and impact across the organization.
• Operations & Infrastructure: Manage CHDR’s hybrid IT infrastructure and applications across locations, ensuring reliability, scalability, compliance, cybersecurity, risk management, and continuous operational improvement.
• Innovation & Transformation: Champion digital innovation and process automation to advance clinical research, lead the transition to a future‑proof data capture platform ensuring compliance and alignment, and drive adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen CHDR’s leadership in early‑phase research.
• People Leadership: Lead and develop a high‑performing IT team, promote professional growth and succession planning, and foster strong cross‑functional collaboration across researchers, operations, and leadership.

What CHDR offers you

This is a unique opportunity to lead IT at a world‑class medical research institute at the forefront of drug development, a role that balances compliance‑driven responsibility with the freedom to innovate and transform. The corresponding terms of employment below are based on a 40‑hour workweek:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on your experience.
• You will build up a good pension with ABP, receive 8% vacation allowance, and a year‑end bonus ranging from 3.8% to 12%.
• 25 vacation days per year, plus 1 Diversity Day.
• Opportunities for personal development through training courses or certifications, fully funded by CHDR.
• CHDR is easily accessible, as Leiden Central Station is just a 10‑minute walk from our office. Your public transport costs will be reimbursed up to 100%, or you can choose to purchase a (electric) bicycle at a discounted rate.

You will join a dynamic, passionate organization and work within a diverse team in a fast‑paced, innovative setting. We offer you a pleasant hybrid workplace with an open, multidisciplinary work environment, where we pay close attention to team spirit and a healthy work‑life balance. Fun activities are also organized regularly, such as Friday afternoon drinks, a summer BBQ, a weekend in the Ardennes, and our annual Christmas dinner.

What you bring to CHDR

You are a calm stabilizer who brings structure and clarity in a complex regulatory and scientific environment. At the same time, you are an inspirational innovator, someone who identifies, champions, and implements new technologies that advance CHDR’s mission. With strong organizational and stakeholder management skills, you connect people across disciplines, building trust and alignment between IT, researchers, operations, and the Board. Your visionary leadership motivates teams, while your excellent communication skills allow you to engage and report effectively at every level, including the Board. Additionally, we ask for the following knowledge and experience:

• University degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Information Management, or related field.
• 5–7 years of IT leadership experience, ideally in a regulated environment (healthcare, life sciences, or clinical research).
• Proven track record in managing hybrid infrastructure and applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale system renewal or replacement projects.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), NIS2, NEN7510, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Strong business administration and program management skills.
• Lives in the Netherlands and is fluent in both Dutch and English.

Who are we?

Since 1987, our enthusiastic and ambitious team at CHDR has been committed to conducting high‑quality clinical research into the effects of both new and existing medicines. As a non‑profit foundation, we take pride in contributing to scientific progress and the advancement of drug development. CHDR is located in Leiden and works in close collaboration with Leiden University and the clinical departments of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).