Head of IT Operations Full Time

Position Overview

The Head of IT Operations at Panacea Biotec will be responsible for shaping and leading the company’s entire information technology ecosystem across all sites. This role combines strategic vision and operational excellence to ensure secure, scalable, and business-enabling IT solutions. The Head will oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data systems (including data lakes and analytics), software adoption, team training, digitisation, IT infrastructure, and data governance — ultimately empowering business agility, productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

•  Develop and execute a forward-looking IT strategy that aligns with Panacea Biotec’s mission and business objectives, including supporting manufacturing, supply chain, R&D, and commercial operations.
• Establish and maintain robust IT governance frameworks, ensuring adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Advise senior leadership on technology trends, digital transformation opportunities, and IT investments to enhance productivity and efficiency.

IT Infrastructure & Operations Management

• Oversee all physical and cloud-based IT infrastructure, including data centers, networks, storage systems, enterprise applications, and on-premises/hybrid solutions.
• Ensure the high availability, reliability, and scalability of IT services to support mission-critical business processes.
• Manage system integration initiatives to streamline operations and drive operational efficiency across all business units.

Software & Hardware Lifecycle Management

• Evaluate, select, and oversee the deployment of enterprise software and hardware solutions tailored to business needs and future scalability.
• Drive standardization of technology stacks to enhance system interoperability and reduce total cost of ownership.
• Manage vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and performance monitoring for software and hardware providers.
• Drive Google Workspace adoption by identifying and orchestrating tools, trainings, etc

IT Adoption, User Support & Training

• Develop and deliver IT training programs to increase digital fluency and promote effective use of new tools and platforms.
• Oversee adoption and integration of Oracle Netsuite across functions and processes
• Oversee robust user support mechanisms, including help desks, ticketing systems, and knowledge bases, to ensure prompt resolution of IT issues.
• Encourage adoption of new technologies through targeted change management initiatives.

Data Management, Analytics & Advanced Systems

• Design and implement modern data architectures, including centralized data lakes, to enable advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making across functions.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies ensuring data accuracy, consistency, security, and compliance.
• Collaborate with business and functional leaders to identify key data insights and deliver actionable analytics dashboards and reports.

Cybersecurity & Data Protection

• Develop and lead comprehensive cybersecurity and data protection programs to safeguard sensitive information and intellectual property.
• Implement advanced security monitoring systems, incident response protocols, and regular vulnerability assessments.
• Establish proactive data leakage prevention measures and continuous threat monitoring systems.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

• Develop and maintain comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plans, ensuring minimal disruption to critical operations in the event of outages or crises.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments, simulations, and readiness drills to ensure organizational preparedness.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing IT operations team, including specialized teams for data engineering, cybersecurity, and support services.
• Promote continuous learning and professional development within the IT team to stay ahead of technological advancements.
• Cultivate a collaborative, transparent, and results-driven work environment.

Key Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in IT, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing enterprise-wide IT functions and data ecosystems.
• Proven experience in implementing and managing data lakes, enterprise analytics platforms, and modern data architectures.
• Demonstrated success in leading IT in a regulated industry (preferably pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or healthcare).

Skills & Competencies

• Deep expertise in IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud technologies, and advanced cybersecurity practices.
• Strong understanding of data engineering, data analytics, big data platforms (e.g., Google Cloud, AWS), and business intelligence tools.
• Strategic mindset combined with strong operational execution capabilities.
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills; ability to inspire, mentor, and guide diverse IT teams.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Proven ability to drive IT adoption and digital transformation across large, complex organizations.

Work Location

• Based at Panacea Biotec Corporate Headquarters, with frequent visits to manufacturing plants, R&D centers, and other operational sites as necessary.