> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1175724-global-head-it-clims](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1175724-global-head-it-clims). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Global Head - IT (CLIMS) - **Company:** Cerba Research - **Location:** Rijswijk, Netherlands - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Portfolio Management, Clinical Trial Management Systems, IT Management, Laboratory Information Management Systems, Systems Development Life Cycle, GXP - **Published:** July 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://nl.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=2a0401b40752f70c ## About the Role You're a leader first. You understand IT well enough to govern it and challenge it, but you're not here to be the smartest person in the technical room. You're here to make sure the right people are in the right roles, the work gets done, and the business hears the truth - even when the truth is inconvenient. * Proven experience leading large, geographically distributed teams of 30+ FTE, across internal and offshore functions, with a track record of genuine accountability * A background in senior IT leadership within complex, regulated environments - you don't need deep technical expertise, but you need to know enough to govern well and push back credibly * Experience with CTMS and/or LIMS platforms is an advantage, but not a dealbreaker - what matters is whether you can get the best out of the people who do know them * A track record of managing offshore vendors to high standards across managed capacity and managed service models * The communication skills and personal credibility to operate at C-level, hold difficult conversations, and deliver honest messages without wrapping them in too much packaging * An understanding of GxP and SDLC frameworks - enough to ensure compliance is embedded, not just documented * Fluent in English - other languages are a bonus Travel Some travel required across the Belgian, Dutch and French office locations. Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site. ## Description * Join at the Right Moment - the strategic direction is set but the big calls are still ahead. You'll have genuine influence over how this function evolves - not inheriting someone else's finished picture, but helping to build it. * A Seat at the Top Table - Reporting directly to the CIO, this is a role with real authority. You'll be expected to push back when timelines aren't justified, say no when no is the right answer, and pass difficult messages upward without softening them beyond recognition. * Lead People, Not Just Platforms - This isn't a role for a technologist who manages people on the side. It's a role for a leader who understands technology well enough to govern it, challenge it, and hold teams accountable for delivering it. * Scale That Tests You - A 50+ person team spanning Belgium, Netherlands and France, plus offshore vendors in multiple delivery models. The complexity is real. So is the opportunity. * Meaningful Work - The systems you govern directly support the delivery of clinical trials and the reporting of results that matter to patients. It's rare to find that combination of leadership challenge and genuine purpose in one role. How You Will Add Value As (IT) Director, CLIMS, you will contribute to: * Governing the CLIMS landscape - holding accountability for the CTMS and LIMS application portfolio, ensuring delivery meets business and client commitments without needing to own every technical detail yourself * Driving the transformation forward - picking up an IT journey that is 20-25% complete and providing the leadership, structure and momentum to move it forward with clarity and pace * Leading and holding teams accountable - managing development, analysis and test functions across multiple sites and offshore partners, with high expectations and clear consequences * Communicating with honesty - passing difficult messages up, down and sideways without distortion. Pushing back on timelines that aren't clear or justified. Saying no when the business needs to hear it. * Managing strategic suppliers - governing offshore vendor relationships with rigour, holding partners to commitments, and knowing when to escalate * Maintaining compliance and quality - ensuring SDLC practices, release governance and Cerba Research SOPs are embedded and followed across the function ## Related Videos - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [Navigating the Corporate Jungle: Life as a Developer in a large Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/621-navigating-the-corporate-jungle-life-as-a-developer-in-a-large-company) - [Navigating the AI Revolution in Software Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1266-navigating-the-ai-revolution-in-software-development) - [Your Manager Doesn’t Come with a User Manual (But You Can Totally Write One)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1495-your-manager-doesn-t-come-with-a-user-manual-but-you-can-totally-write-one) - [Engineering/Manager Pendulum: Generating compound interest on your career](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100348-engineering-manager-pendulum-generating-compound-interest-on-your-career) - [The Future of Recruiting: Innovations and Challenges in the European IT Sector](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1056-the-future-of-recruiting-innovations-and-challenges-in-the-european-it-sector) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Best Companies in the Netherlands: Top 25 Companies in 2023 ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/193-best-companies-in-the-netherlands-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market)