Director of IT & AI
<p><strong>Director, IT & AI Infrastructure - Central London - BioTech</strong></p><p><strong>£100K - £140k, Bonus & Benefits</strong></p><p>Robert Half a partnered with a fast-scaling BioTech based in London.</p><p>Relentless Medicine Discovery Needs Relentless Technology!</p><p>The way medicines are discovered today is too slow. We believe patients deserve better - and faster. That requires unconventional thinking, advanced computation, and a relentless drive to do things differently.</p><p>We are an ambitious biotech organisation uniting <strong>AI, computation, and RNAi</strong> to accelerate the discovery of differentiated therapies with real-world impact. Our teams thrive on complexity, creativity, and collaboration, and we move quickly to turn insight into action.</p><p>As we continue to scale, we are seeking a <strong>Director of IT & AI Infrastructure</strong> to lead our enterprise technology, security, and AI enablement strategy at a pivotal moment in our journey.</p><p><strong>The Role</strong></p><p>Reporting to the <strong>VP, Head of Applied AI & Informatics</strong>, this role owns enterprise IT operations, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI enablement across the organisation. You will be accountable for safeguarding systems, data, and intellectual property, while ensuring our technology estate actively accelerates R&D and commercial productivity.</p><p>This is a highly visible leadership role at the intersection of <strong>IT, security, AI, and biotech R&D</strong>, offering the opportunity to shape how AI is embedded responsibly and effectively across the business.</p><p><strong>What You'll Do</strong></p><p><strong>Infrastructure & Operations</strong></p><ul><li>Lead Microsoft 365 and end-user computing environments</li><li>Oversee AWS cloud architecture supporting discovery and computational platforms</li><li>Ensure availability, performance, backup, and disaster recovery readiness</li><li>Establish infrastructure standards, documentation, and operational best practice</li><li>Deploy AI-enabled IT automation for monitoring, support, and knowledge management</li><li>Partner with internal AI teams to support secure and efficient AI workloads</li></ul><p><strong>Security & Compliance</strong></p><ul><li>Own the end-to-end cybersecurity posture across all systems</li><li>Implement access controls, monitoring, and incident response frameworks</li><li>Maintain compliance with GDPR, SOC 2 and other relevant standards</li><li>Conduct regular security audits, penetration testing, and risk assessments</li><li>Manage third-party vendors and security risk</li><li>Govern secure use of enterprise AI platforms (e.g. generative AI tools), protecting IP and sensitive data</li><li>Define and enforce responsible AI, data sharing, and access control policies</li></ul><p><strong>Strategy & Leadership</strong></p><ul><li>Develop and deliver a multi-year IT and AI infrastructure roadmap</li><li>Evaluate emerging technologies relevant to biotech, R&D, and computational science</li><li>Define IT governance and risk management aligned to regulatory needs</li><li>Own IT budget, licensing, and vendor relationships</li><li>Partner with R&D leadership on capacity planning and infrastructure strategy</li><li>Drive enterprise adoption of secure AI tools, including training teams to embed AI into daily workflows</li><li>Advise senior leadership on AI, security, and operational efficiency</li></ul><p><strong>Skills & Experience</strong></p><p><strong>Essential</strong></p><ul><li>8+ years in senior IT or infrastructure leadership roles, ideally in regulated environments (biotech, pharma, healthcare)</li><li>Strong experience managing AWS production environments</li><li>Proven success building and maturing enterprise security programmes</li><li>Hands-on expertise with Microsoft 365 and identity platforms (Azure AD / Entra ID)</li><li>Deep understanding of IAM, network security, and encryption</li><li>Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience</li><li>Working knowledge of enterprise AI platforms and architectures</li><li>Experience defining or governing AI use in data-sensitive or regulated settings</li><li>Ability to translate AI opportunity and risk into practical enterprise outcomes</li></ul><p><strong>Nice to Have</strong></p><ul><li>Experience in high-growth or early-stage biotech/pharma</li><li>Familiarity with GxP, HIPAA, or similar frameworks</li><li>Exposure to data platforms, MLOps, or AI/ML infrastructure in R&D contexts</li><li>Ownership of SOC 2 or similar certifications</li></ul><p><strong>Benefits</strong></p><p><strong>Committed to Care</strong></p><ul><li>Healthcare, pension/401(k), and life assurance</li></ul><p><strong>Celebrating Success</strong></p><ul><li>Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and recognition awards</li></ul><p><strong>Unlocking Potential</strong></p><ul><li>Dedicated personal development time and learning budget</li></ul><p><strong>Enjoying Life</strong></p><ul><li>Social and wellbeing initiatives and a competitive holiday/PTO policy</li></ul><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/amFtZXMud2lsbHNvbi4wMDQzNS4xMDkyM0ByaGkuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t.gif">
- London, London
- remote
- Permanent
-
100000 - 135000 GBP / Yearly
- <p><strong>Director, IT & AI Infrastructure - Central London - BioTech</strong></p><p><strong>£100K - £140k, Bonus & Benefits</strong></p><p>Robert Half a partnered with a fast-scaling BioTech based in London.</p><p>Relentless Medicine Discovery Needs Relentless Technology!</p><p>The way medicines are discovered today is too slow. We believe patients deserve better - and faster. That requires unconventional thinking, advanced computation, and a relentless drive to do things differently.</p><p>We are an ambitious biotech organisation uniting <strong>AI, computation, and RNAi</strong> to accelerate the discovery of differentiated therapies with real-world impact. Our teams thrive on complexity, creativity, and collaboration, and we move quickly to turn insight into action.</p><p>As we continue to scale, we are seeking a <strong>Director of IT & AI Infrastructure</strong> to lead our enterprise technology, security, and AI enablement strategy at a pivotal moment in our journey.</p><p><strong>The Role</strong></p><p>Reporting to the <strong>VP, Head of Applied AI & Informatics</strong>, this role owns enterprise IT operations, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI enablement across the organisation. You will be accountable for safeguarding systems, data, and intellectual property, while ensuring our technology estate actively accelerates R&D and commercial productivity.</p><p>This is a highly visible leadership role at the intersection of <strong>IT, security, AI, and biotech R&D</strong>, offering the opportunity to shape how AI is embedded responsibly and effectively across the business.</p><p><strong>What You'll Do</strong></p><p><strong>Infrastructure & Operations</strong></p><ul><li>Lead Microsoft 365 and end-user computing environments</li><li>Oversee AWS cloud architecture supporting discovery and computational platforms</li><li>Ensure availability, performance, backup, and disaster recovery readiness</li><li>Establish infrastructure standards, documentation, and operational best practice</li><li>Deploy AI-enabled IT automation for monitoring, support, and knowledge management</li><li>Partner with internal AI teams to support secure and efficient AI workloads</li></ul><p><strong>Security & Compliance</strong></p><ul><li>Own the end-to-end cybersecurity posture across all systems</li><li>Implement access controls, monitoring, and incident response frameworks</li><li>Maintain compliance with GDPR, SOC 2 and other relevant standards</li><li>Conduct regular security audits, penetration testing, and risk assessments</li><li>Manage third-party vendors and security risk</li><li>Govern secure use of enterprise AI platforms (e.g. generative AI tools), protecting IP and sensitive data</li><li>Define and enforce responsible AI, data sharing, and access control policies</li></ul><p><strong>Strategy & Leadership</strong></p><ul><li>Develop and deliver a multi-year IT and AI infrastructure roadmap</li><li>Evaluate emerging technologies relevant to biotech, R&D, and computational science</li><li>Define IT governance and risk management aligned to regulatory needs</li><li>Own IT budget, licensing, and vendor relationships</li><li>Partner with R&D leadership on capacity planning and infrastructure strategy</li><li>Drive enterprise adoption of secure AI tools, including training teams to embed AI into daily workflows</li><li>Advise senior leadership on AI, security, and operational efficiency</li></ul><p><strong>Skills & Experience</strong></p><p><strong>Essential</strong></p><ul><li>8+ years in senior IT or infrastructure leadership roles, ideally in regulated environments (biotech, pharma, healthcare)</li><li>Strong experience managing AWS production environments</li><li>Proven success building and maturing enterprise security programmes</li><li>Hands-on expertise with Microsoft 365 and identity platforms (Azure AD / Entra ID)</li><li>Deep understanding of IAM, network security, and encryption</li><li>Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience</li><li>Working knowledge of enterprise AI platforms and architectures</li><li>Experience defining or governing AI use in data-sensitive or regulated settings</li><li>Ability to translate AI opportunity and risk into practical enterprise outcomes</li></ul><p><strong>Nice to Have</strong></p><ul><li>Experience in high-growth or early-stage biotech/pharma</li><li>Familiarity with GxP, HIPAA, or similar frameworks</li><li>Exposure to data platforms, MLOps, or AI/ML infrastructure in R&D contexts</li><li>Ownership of SOC 2 or similar certifications</li></ul><p><strong>Benefits</strong></p><p><strong>Committed to Care</strong></p><ul><li>Healthcare, pension/401(k), and life assurance</li></ul><p><strong>Celebrating Success</strong></p><ul><li>Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and recognition awards</li></ul><p><strong>Unlocking Potential</strong></p><ul><li>Dedicated personal development time and learning budget</li></ul><p><strong>Enjoying Life</strong></p><ul><li>Social and wellbeing initiatives and a competitive holiday/PTO policy</li></ul><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/amFtZXMud2lsbHNvbi4wMDQzNS4xMDkyM0ByaGkuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t.gif">
- 2026-01-02T10:35:08Z