Head of IT

At Optics11, we develop ultra-sensitive fibre optic sensing technology that helps protect maritime infrastructure and energy assets around the world. We are a fast-growing, mission-driven company with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities.

As we grow, we are looking for a Head of IT to lead and develop the organisation that keeps Optics11 running and ready to scale. You will shape our IT direction, strengthen service delivery and build the team, architecture and operating model needed for the next phase of the company.

About the role

You will own IT strategy and delivery across Workplace and Support Services, Infrastructure, Cloud and Operational Technology, Enterprise Applications and Integration, and Product IT Operations. Your remit includes people, budget, suppliers, architecture, service management and continuity across these areas.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will set direction and manage the team, while remaining close enough to the technology to make sound decisions and earn the trust of experienced specialists. You will introduce practical ITIL-based ways of working that make services predictable without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Security Office operates independently from IT and sets security requirements, architecture input and assurance expectations. Your team will implement and operate the technical controls assigned to IT. For products in the field, Customer Service will own the customer case and Product Engineering will own product design and engineering changes. Product IT Operations will provide the specialist operational IT capability between them.

What you will do

• 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, e.g. ERP, PLM, CRM. Business owners define processes and data requirements, while application champions and IT perform approved administration and changes.

• Build Product IT Operations as a distinct service for the cloud, edge, connectivity and other IT components used in deployed customer products. Establish monitoring, patching, backup, secure remote access, operational readiness and clear support handovers.

• 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. Those teams retain ownership of DevOps and MLOps.

• 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.

What we offer

• The 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.

• A competitive salary and benefits package.

• An international working environment with colleagues from more than twenty nationalities.

• Regular team activities, company events and fresh team lunches three times per week.

What you bring

We care more about what you can do than how you got there. We welcome strong candidates from different educational and career backgrounds.

• You have led an IT function or multidisciplinary technical team through growth and understand how to build capacity before services become overstretched.

• You have managed specialists across infrastructure, applications and end-user support and know how to create clear ownership without losing collaboration.

• You lead through coaching, practical support and honest feedback, and you invest in your team's professional development.

• You are comfortable across a modern hybrid environment, including Microsoft 365, Azure and Entra ID, on-premises infrastructure, networking, endpoint management, backup and recovery.

• You do not need to be the deepest expert in every domain, but you can challenge designs, ask the right questions and make credible technical decisions.

• You have practical experience with IT service management, enterprise applications, integrations, architecture and technology roadmaps.

• You have owned budgets and supplier relationships and can make clear trade-offs between service, risk, cost and capacity.

• You have worked in, or can quickly adapt to, an environment where security, compliance and defence obligations shape how IT operates.

• You communicate clearly 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.

Security and compliance

You will work with clients in the defence and security sectors. Obtaining a Certificate of No Objection issued by the AIVD, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, is mandatory. This means you will need to undergo a security screening. We will explain the process and guide you through the applicable requirements. More information you can find by:

Ready to join us

If you are excited to lead and grow the IT function of an ambitious technology company, we would like to hear from you. Apply through our careers page.

Optics11 is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees.