Head of IT

Head of IT – Biotech / Life Sciences

Location: Liverpool or London – hybrid working

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Have you built or transformed IT infrastructure within a regulated organisation? Are you ready to create an IT function from the ground up and shape how technology supports scientific discovery?

Guilford Street Laboratories is looking for a hands-on Head of IT to establish and lead our technology function as we enter our next phase of growth.

The role

The Head of IT is a newly created role and a pivotal hire for Guilford Street Laboratories. You will be responsible for establishing, leading and running the organisation's IT function from the ground up — defining strategy, procuring and implementing infrastructure, and ensuring our systems and data are secure, compliant and fit for a regulated life sciences environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role. In the near term you will be the primary practitioner; over time you will recruit and develop a small team around you. You will work closely with scientific, operational and commercial colleagues to ensure technology actively enables the business.

Key responsibilities

• Define and deliver the IT strategy, roadmap and budget
• Build the IT function, including policies, processes and service standards
• Design and implement networks, cloud platforms, servers, devices and communications systems
• Manage Microsoft 365, Azure AD and wider cloud-based services
• Establish an effective IT service desk and provide hands-on technical support
• Develop cybersecurity, data protection and information security frameworks
• Support UK GDPR, ISO 27001, GxP and other relevant regulatory requirements
• Lead business continuity, disaster recovery, patching and vulnerability management
• Select and implement systems such as ERP, CRM, HR and collaboration platforms
• Support laboratory systems, scientific software, LIMS and electronic lab notebooks
• Enable the secure integration of laboratory instruments and data acquisition systems
• Develop an effective data architecture and governance framework
• Manage technology suppliers, outsourced providers and commercial agreements
• Recruit and lead future IT team members

About Guilford Street Laboratories

Guilford Street Laboratories is a dynamic biotech / life sciences organisation committed to advancing scientific discovery and translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact. We operate at the intersection of rigorous science and operational excellence, and we are now building the infrastructure to support our next phase of growth.

As we scale, technology and data capability are central to our ambitions. This is a rare opportunity to join us at the ground floor and shape our IT function from first principles.

What we are looking for

You will have:

• Significant experience building, leading or transforming an IT function
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Experience within biotech, life sciences, pharmaceutical, medtech or another regulated industry
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, virtualisation and end-user computing
• Hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure, including Azure, AWS or GCP
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST or CIS
• Experience supporting UK GDPR and information security compliance
• Experience selecting and implementing business applications
• Strong vendor and outsourced service-provider management skills
• The ability to explain technical subjects clearly to non-technical stakeholders
• A practical, commercially aware and solutions-focused approach

Experience with LIMS, ELN platforms, laboratory systems, GxP, MHRA guidance or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 would be particularly valuable.

What’s next?

If you are an experienced IT leader who enjoys combining strategy with hands-on delivery, apply today and help build the technology foundations for Guilford Street Laboratories’ future.