Associate Director of IT Operations (Infrastructure Architecture)

The Associate Director of IT Operations (Infrastructure Architecture) ensures the reliable operation, delivery, and management of IT/Operational Technology (IT/OT) infrastructure and services, with a focus on supporting a highly regulated GxP environment. This role provides strategic direction, operational management, and administrative oversight for the daily IT operational activities, including hardware, communications & WiFi infrastructure, and service delivery. The position also ensures integration and alignment with corporate IT systems and infrastructure while maintaining robust compliance, security, and service standards.

As an Associate Director of IT Operations (Infrastructure Architecture), a typical day might include the following:

• Ensure the reliable operation of IT/OT infrastructure, including but not limited to servers, hardware, communications and desktop support, plus oversight of daily operational activities.
• Define, implement, and lead IT/OT infrastructure architecture, with a focus on hyper-converged systems, advanced networking, and wireless technologies, to ensure robust connectivity and security.
• Build scalable and secure wireless networks to support industrial and enterprise needs.
• Provide operational management for data centre operations, network services, telecom, asset management, and security plus ensure systems and procedures are in place for effective monitoring and reporting.
• Maintain compliance with industry standards, including experience with automation systems such as DeltaV/Emerson and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley.
• Manage service providers to ensure high-quality service delivery and alignment to service level agreements (SLAs) and act as the escalation point for major incidents.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, including GxP, FDA and other global regulatory requirements.
• Maintain robust security measures to protect IT/OT infrastructure, including data integrity and disaster recovery planning.
• Lead and mentor a diverse technical team and run recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and target setting for the IT Operations team.
• Collaborate with partners to ensure seamless integration between IT and OT systems.
• Provide regular management reporting on service performance and IT operations.

• Have management and delivery experience including management of a diverse technical team, including Helpdesk, Desktop, Server and Network staff, with experience managing vendors and managed services.
• Have experience in developing and deploying SLAs, Metrics and other best practices, as well as having successfully implemented ITIL practices into an organisation.
• Have experience with Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning.
• Have a strong background in Microsoft OS, in particular Server and GPO elements.
• Have a strong understanding of Data Integrity and associated tools.
• Possess hands-on experience designing and documenting infrastructure architecture across networking, compute, and security domains.
• Have demonstrated experience with security frameworks (NIST CSF, IEC 62443, or ISO 27001) and applying them within regulated environments.

In order to be considered for this position, you must hold a BS/BA in Information Technology or related field along with

• Senior Manager: 8+ years of progressively more responsible experience, including 8+ years of management experience and a minimum of 3 years' experience in an FDA or similarly regulated environment.
• Associate Director: 10 years of progressively more responsible experience, including 10 years of management experience and a minimum of 3 years' experience in an FDA or similarly regulated environment.
• May consider equivalent combination of education and experience. Level is determined based on qualifications relevant to the role.
• Preferred knowledge of understanding of IT compliance guidelines, including PICS, CFR21 Part 11, Annex 11, and GAMP.