Senior Director Information Technology

Enigma Search; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Enigma Search is seeking a Senior Director of Information Technology to lead strategy, operations, security, and the evolution of our enterprise technology environment. You will report to the SVP of Technology & Business Operations and oversee the internal IT team while managing MSPs and strategic technology partners.

The role balances strategic leadership with hands-on execution to keep our technology secure, compliant, reliable, and scalable as we advance clinical programs and scale

Qualifications

• 15+ years IT experience with 5+ years in leadership.
• Experience in regulated biotech/pharma or life sciences.
• Cloud-first, SaaS-based enterprise IT leadership.
• Experience managing MSPs and external partners.
• Strong cybersecurity, continuity, disaster recovery and risk focus.
• Knowledge of SOX, GDPR, GxP, GAMP 5, and validation.
• Experience with Microsoft 365, IAM, endpoint management, networking and cloud infra.
• Experience applying AI and automation to operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute IT strategy, roadmap, and budget.
• Lead IT operations, Infrastructure, and Helpdesk teams.
• Manage MSP-enabled operating model and partner relations.
• Ensure security, compliance, disaster recovery, and incident response.
• Collaborate with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, HR, Research, Informatics, and other functions.

Skills

IT Strategy

MSP Management

Cybersecurity

Disaster Recovery

Cloud & SaaS

Microsoft 365

Identity & Access

Endpoint Management

Networking

Cloud Infrastructure

AI & Automation

Job description

The Senior Director, Information Technology will lead the strategy, operations, security, and evolution of the company’s enterprise technology environment. Reporting to the SVP, Technology & Business Operations, this leader will oversee the internal IT team while managing Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and strategic technology partners.

This role requires someone who can balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution. As the company advances its clinical programs and scales its operations, the Senior Director will ensure the technology environment remains secure, compliant, reliable, and scalable.

The position will partner closely with Clinical Development, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, HR, Research, Informatics, and other functions to strengthen cybersecurity, modernize technology operations, improve the employee technology experience, and expand the responsible use of AI and automation.

This position is based in South San Francisco and requires onsite presence a minimum of three days per week.

Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy & Operations

• Develop and execute the enterprise IT strategy and roadmap aligned with business growth, clinical development, security, and compliance requirements.
• Lead enterprise IT services, including Microsoft 365, identity and access management, endpoint management, networking, cloud services, business applications, and end‑user support.
• Improve the employee technology experience, including onboarding, access provisioning, authentication, and technical support.
• Establish service levels, operational metrics, and performance standards to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead IT financial planning, budgeting, and technology investment prioritization.

IT Leadership & Managed Services

• Lead and develop the internal IT organization across IT Operations, Infrastructure, and Helpdesk.
• Manage and evolve an MSP‑enabled operating model for end‑user support and infrastructure.
• Establish clear responsibilities and service expectations between internal IT teams, MSPs, and strategic technology partners.
• Manage vendor performance, service quality, escalations, costs, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain internal ownership of technology strategy, cybersecurity, risk, and business outcomes.
• Stay close enough to day‑to‑day technology operations to identify issues, remove roadblocks, and provide hands‑on guidance when needed.
• Develop and execute a multi‑year cybersecurity strategy covering identity, endpoints, networks, SaaS applications, data protection, monitoring, third‑party risk, and incident response.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
• Maintain strong disaster recovery, business continuity, and incident response capabilities.
• Support SOX, GDPR, audits, access controls, GxP, GAMP 5, and computer system validation requirements.

Business & Clinical Partnership

• Partner with Clinical Development, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, HR, Research, Drug Discovery, Informatics, and Technical Operations.
• Anticipate business needs and translate them into scalable technology solutions and roadmap priorities.
• Support technology requirements for global clinical development, CROs, and other external partners.
• Partner with business owners on the selection and implementation of critical enterprise platforms, including clinical, quality, and document management systems.

AI & Automation

• Help lead the secure and responsible adoption of enterprise AI technologies.
• Partner with Informatics, Data Science, Legal, and business teams on AI governance, architecture, security, and adoption.
• Evaluate enterprise AI platforms and opportunities to securely integrate approved AI tools with internal company information and systems.
• Identify opportunities to automate routine processes and improve productivity across the organization.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive IT experience, including 5+ years in technology leadership.
• Experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another highly regulated industry.
• Clinical‑stage biotech/pharma and public‑company experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise IT within a cloud‑first, SaaS‑based environment.
• Experience managing MSPs and strategic technology partners.
• Strong background in cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, and risk management.
• Knowledge of SOX, GDPR, GxP, GAMP 5, and computer system validation.
• Experience with enterprise applications, Microsoft 365, identity and access management, endpoint management, networking, cloud infrastructure, and end‑user services.
• Experience using automation and emerging technologies, including AI, to improve business operations.
• Strong business judgment and ability to communicate and partner effectively with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational change while remaining hands‑on when necessary.

The ideal candidate is a strategic but hands‑on technology leader who can build a high‑performing IT organization, effectively manage external partners, strengthen cybersecurity and compliance, and support the technology needs of a growing clinical‑stage life sciences company. This person should be equally comfortable developing a long‑term technology roadmap, advising senior leadership, and stepping into operational issues when necessary.