About this role

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.