IT Director, Europe

Eurofins Scientific, through its subsidiaries is a world leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences, and in agroscience Contract Research services. It is also one of the global independent market leaders in genomics and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. In addition, Eurofins is one of the key emerging players in specialty esoteric and molecular clinical diagnostic testing in Europe and the USA.

Job Description

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION AND OBJECTIVES:

Provide strategic and operational IT leadership to a European Eurofins Division, ensuring alignment with Eurofins Group’s standards of excellence in quality, productivity, and efficiency. Lead and manage a diverse team of over 45 professionals, driving innovation, optimising IT processes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Project & Programme Management: Manage end-to-end IT projects, including the integration of acquisitions and swift deployment of Eurofins-standard solutions.
• Operational Improvement & Standardisation: Drive IT-led improvements and standardisation across Business Units to enhance productivity and service quality.
• Process & Change Management: Lead process optimisation and change management to enhance the in-house laboratory application, boosting efficiency and ensuring consistent processes across laboratory operations.
• IT Operational Management: Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring the efficient processing and resolution of application-related tickets, and maintaining seamless system performance.
• Cost Optimisation & Solution Harmonisation: Leverage economies of scale by standardising IT solutions in alignment with Eurofins’ group-wide standards for European laboratories.

SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS

• Business Partner:
  • Collaborate with management to define and achieve business goals, supporting Business Unit Managers in process optimisation and growth.
  • Implement change processes that align with business priorities.
  • Guide technology planning with insights on current and future advancements, ensuring that laboratory-specific requirements are met.
  • Identify and lead strategic technology projects to support business objectives and drive growth.
  • Manage and streamline the Business Analyst team to efficiently handle business and user requirements, validate new features, optimise laboratory processes and IT systems, and support the seamless integration and configuration of new labs.
• Oversee the project portfolio, focusing on managing change requests, risks, and impacts.
• Plan and allocate the necessary internal and external resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Maintain up-to-date department documentation to ensure alignment and accuracy.
• IT Solutions Management:
  • Manage a network of key users to represent the community, ensuring high availability and success of the application landscape, while providing ongoing support for the migration to target systems.
  • Develop and stabilise onshore and nearshore IT development capabilities, reinforcing the IT Solutions Team across regions and enforcing regional governance throughout the IT services lifecycle.
  • Lead business process improvements and manage IT changes, providing training and expertise for the effective use of our systems, and supporting laboratory acquisitions and instrument integrations.
  • Design and deliver tailored solutions, reports, and Business Intelligence tools connected to our Eurofins systems, enhancing production, monitoring, and decision-making.
  • Coordinate global policies for asset management of regional IT hardware and software, while providing software expertise to IT teams and ensuring proper monitoring and support of applications.
• IT Operational Management:
  • Oversee daily IT operations from both application and infrastructure perspectives.
  • Manage application tickets, ensuring seamless system performance through efficient issue resolution and proactive maintenance.
• IT Budget Management:
  • Control and optimise the IT budget for solutions and infrastructure, ensuring cost efficiency.
  • Provide regular reports to stakeholders on budget performance and delivered IT services.
  • Manage IT suppliers, partners, and consultants to ensure quality and cost-effective service.
• Optimise the IT team’s structure, processes, and systems to maximise effectiveness and performance.
• Develop team capabilities through ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance management, with a focus on best practices, methodologies, and consistent delivery.
• Foster collaboration by coordinating Regional IT activities with other teams, including IT Security, Corporate IT Solutions, Group Programme Teams, and Process Engineering.
• Cultivate a high level of expertise within the team, encouraging responsibility, accountability, and continuous improvement through constructive feedback and regular evaluations.
• Promote open communication and a positive team environment.

Qualifications

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Extensive IT Leadership Experience: Proven track record in leading complex IT programmes, developing IT strategy, and managing high-growth or scale-up organisations. Skilled in process design, requirements analysis, and change management to ensure successful project delivery and alignment with business objectives.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Experienced in managing third-party contracts, stakeholder relationships, and influencing key decisions to drive business outcomes.
• Team & Communication Skills: Strong leadership abilities with extensive experience managing distributed onshore and offshore teams. Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic & Financial Expertise: Demonstrated ability to develop IT strategy, manage financial budgets, and oversee resource allocation. Solid experience in applying lean and agile methodologies to IT initiatives.
• IT & Security Management: Expertise in managing cloud-based IT landscapes and ensuring IT security and compliance within corporate environments.
• Hands-on & Results-Driven: Fluent in English with a hands-on, solution-oriented approach to delivering successful IT projects.

DESIRABLE

• A background in scientific IT management or proven experience working in complex scientific or technological environments.
• Holds a valid UK driving licence.
• Holds UK security clearance.