This leadership role involves shaping the IT direction, strengthening service delivery, and building the team, architecture, and operating model for an international deep-tech company. The IT Director will own IT strategy and delivery across various domains, including Workplace and Support Services, Infrastructure, Cloud and Operational Technology, Enterprise Applications and Integration, and Product IT Operations. This is a hands-on position that requires setting direction, managing the team, and making sound technical decisions while introducing practical ITIL-based ways of working.
Responsibilities
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary IT team covering workplace support, infrastructure, cloud, operational technology, enterprise applications, and Product IT Operations
Own the IT strategy, architecture, roadmap, and priorities, translating business needs into clear and achievable plans
Establish an ITIL-aligned service model with one Service Desk, clear resolver groups, controlled changes, meaningful service levels, and continual improvement
Ensure the reliability and recoverability of workplace technology, identity services, endpoints, servers, cloud platforms, networks, backup, and recovery
Reduce reliance on individual experts through competent cover, documentation, secure access, knowledge transfer, and tested recovery procedures
Own the technical lifecycle of enterprise core applications and integrations, such as ERP, PLM, CRM
Build Product IT Operations as a distinct service for the cloud, edge, connectivity, and other IT components used in deployed customer products
Define and improve the IT responsibilities within manufacturing and test environments, including asset registration, operating systems, connectivity, support boundaries, and a segregated OT network architecture
Implement and operate the security controls assigned to IT, maintain evidence and remediation plans, and work with the Security Office on incidents, risks, and exceptions
Work with R&D and Data Science on agreed infrastructure and integrations
Plan and deliver IT services for new locations, including remote support, local hands, equipment logistics, and coordination with Security and Facilities
Own the IT budget and supplier relationships, and ensure that external partners complement internal accountability and knowledge
Lead the disentanglement of interconnected IT services and dependencies, establishing clear ownership while protecting continuity and ensuring controlled handovers
Use service performance, workload, risks, and skills data to guide recruitment, training, and investment, and communicate progress clearly to management
Requirements
Experience leading an IT function or multidisciplinary technical team through growth and understanding how to build capacity before services become overstretched
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Experience managing specialists across infrastructure, applications, and end-user support and knowing how to create clear ownership without losing collaboration
Ability to lead through coaching, practical support, and honest feedback, and investing in your team's professional development
Comfortable across a modern hybrid environment, including Microsoft 365, Azure and Entra ID, on-premises infrastructure, networking, endpoint management, backup, and recovery
Ability to challenge designs, ask the right questions, and make credible technical decisions
Practical experience with IT service management, enterprise applications, integrations, architecture, and technology roadmaps
Experience owning budgets and supplier relationships and making clear trade-offs between service, risk, cost, and capacity
Experience working in, or quickly adapting to, an environment where security, compliance, and defence obligations shape how IT operates
Clear communication in English with technical teams, business owners, and senior management
Dutch is an advantage
Nice to have:
Experience with manufacturing IT, operational technology, or segregated production networks
Experience with operational IT services used in customer products or customer environments
ITIL 4 or enterprise architecture training, supported by practical experience
Experience with international office rollouts, tenant separation, or organisational carve-outs
Benefits
Opportunity to shape and scale the IT organisation of an international deep-tech company
Meaningful responsibility for the team, services, architecture, and investments within your remit
An international working environment with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities
Regular team activities, company events, and fresh team lunches three times per week
Security and compliance
Obtaining a Certificate of No Objection issued by the AIVD, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, is mandatory
You will need to undergo a security screening
About the Company
Optics11 develops ultra-sensitive fibre optic sensing technology that helps protect maritime infrastructure and energy assets around the world. It is a fast-growing, mission-driven company with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities.
