Position Summary:
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Senior Director, Technology Infrastructure and Security Operations to lead our technology foundation in support of a rapidly scaling, publicly traded biopharma company. This role is responsible for ensuring a secure, reliable, and compliant technology environment while enabling business agility and collaboration across R&D, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and corporate functions. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership and business partnership skills to drive operational excellence, compliance readiness, and innovation in IT services.
Responsibilities:
Infrastructure & Cloud Operations
- Own the strategy, design, and operations of global infrastructure (on-premises, cloud, and hybrid), ensuring scalability, availability, and performance to meet the needs of a hyper-growth biopharma
- Lead the adoption and optimization of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, SaaS ecosystems), balancing cost efficiency, security, and agility
- Oversee network architecture, data center strategy, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, and monitoring/alerting frameworks
Security Operations & Compliance
- Lead 24x7 global Security Operations, including EDR, SIEM/MDR, firewalls, email security, and incident response processes
- Ensure alignment to industry frameworks (NIST CSF 2.0, SOC 2, GxP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11) and proactively prepare for regulatory audits
- Partner with Compliance, Quality, and Legal functions to manage security risks in third-party vendors and clinical/regulated SaaS environments (e.g., Veeva Vault RIM/Quality, Snowflake)
- Build and mature cyber resilience posture, including tabletop exercises, incident response playbooks, and vendor breach scenarios
End User Services & Collaboration
- Lead enterprise IT service delivery, including Service Desk, endpoint management, and collaboration platforms (M365, Box, Zoom, Teams)
- Define and measure SLAs to ensure exceptional user experience and productivity support across research labs, clinical operations, field sales, and corporate offices
- Drive adoption of collaboration and knowledge-sharing tools to enable a connected and compliant workforce, including secure mobile device and identity management
Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and mentor a high-performing team of IT operations, security engineers, and service delivery professionals
- Establish strong vendor and partner management practices, ensuring accountability, cost optimization, and performance across managed service providers
- Partner with R&D, Commercial, Clinical, and Corporate stakeholders to ensure IT operations accelerate business priorities and regulatory obligations
- Serve as a key leader in IT transformation, transitioning from fragmented, vendor-led operations to a scalable, in-house center of excellence
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 12 - 15 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including at least 5 years in senior management roles overseeing infrastructure and security operations or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated experience in regulated industries (biopharma, biotech, life sciences, or healthcare) with knowledge of GxP, HIPAA, FDA compliance, and validation practices
- Deep technical expertise in cloud platforms, enterprise infrastructure, security frameworks, and collaboration ecosystems
- Strong understanding of incident response, risk management, and business continuity in a regulated environment
- Proven track record building, developing, and retaining high-performing technical teams while driving organizational change
- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate technology into business value
Travel: 10%
The anticipated annualized base pay range for this full-time position is $245,000-$299,000. Ardelyx utilizes industry data to ensure that our compensation is competitive and aligned with our industry peers. Actual base pay will be determined based on a variety of factors, including years of relevant experience, training, qualifications, and internal equity. The compensation package may also include an annual bonus target and equity awards, subject to eligibility and other requirements.
Ardelyx also offers a robust benefits package to employees, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer match, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, up to 12 weeks of living organ and bone marrow leave, equity incentive plans, health plans (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision), life insurance and disability, flexible time off, annual Winter Holiday shut down, and at least 11 paid holidays.
Ardelyx is an equal opportunity employer.
