JOB TITLE: Director of IT

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

SALARY RANGE: $150,000 to $184,000. The midpoint of the range is $168,000. The ideal candidate would be hired at or around the midpoint.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to restoring vision to millions of patients through innovative regenerative therapies. Our lead candidate is an allogeneic cell therapy designed to treat corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease. Our cell therapy is PMDA approved, and commercialization started in Japan in 2024. In the US, the program has received both Breakthrough Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations from the FDA and it is advancing into Phase 3 clinical trials in 2025. Aurion operates as a separate entity with full support from Alcon.

We are seeking a experienced Director of IT to lead and oversee our IT operations, specifically managing our IT managed service provider (MSP), resolving day to day issues and developing comprehensive IT policies, procedures, and governance frameworks. This role is critical in ensuring that our IT infrastructure is robust, secure, and aligned with our organizational goals. As the primary point of contact for IT audits, the Director of IT will also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

IT Managed Service Provider Oversight:

• Responsible, single point of contact for the relationship with IT MSP to ensure the delivery of high-quality services and support. 
• Oversees all IT-related special projects in collaboration with the MSP.
• Attends all IT MSP status meetings to review tracking reports on tickets, security, performance, and other relevant metrics.
• Collaborates with the MSP to continuously adapt and expand for growth while preparing for organizational changes.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of IT service providers, ensuring adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements to optimize cost and service quality.
• Resolve all day-to-day issues
• Responsible for overseeing new hire IT onboarding, delivery of materials, and approving all applications.

Policy and Procedure Development:

• Develop, implement, and maintain IT policies and procedures that align with industry standards and organizational objectives.
• Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and security requirements.
• Regularly review and update policies and procedures to adapt to evolving technology trends and business needs.
• Partner with Human Resources to communicate, implement, and re-enforce IT policies throughout the organization.

Security:

• Establish and maintain IT security policies, procedures, and standards that align with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• Work with MSP and internal organizations to integrate cybersecurity strategies into the overall IT roadmap, ensuring that security is a key consideration in all IT initiatives.
• Conduct regular security risk assessments via MSP to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and potential impacts on the organization.
• Develop and implement strategies with MSP to mitigate identified risks, including technical controls, user training, and process improvements.
• Oversee regular security audits and ensure that findings are addressed. Provide reports to executive leadership on the state of IT security.

IT Audit and Compliance:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for IT audits, coordinating with internal and external auditors to facilitate the audit process.
• Prepare and present documentation and evidence required for audits, ensuring that all IT systems and processes are compliant with relevant regulations and standards.
• Address audit findings and implement corrective actions to resolve any identified issues.

Strategic IT Planning:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute the IT strategy, ensuring alignment with the company's overall goals and objectives.
• Identify opportunities for technology improvements and innovations that drive business value and operational efficiency.
• Partner with the head of facilities to plan and coordinate any IT changes affecting physical spaces.

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage the annual IT budget and forecasting ensuring effective allocation of resources and cost control.
• Monitor and report on IT spending, providing recommendations for financial efficiency and optimization.

ABOUT AURION BIOTECH 

With offices in Seattle, Boston, and Tokyo, Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage biotech company, whose mission is to restore vision to millions of patients with life-changing regenerative therapies. The Company’s first candidate is for the treatment of corneal edema secondary to endothelial dysfunction, and one of the first clinically validated cell therapies for corneal care; it was recently granted regulatory approval from Japan’s PMDA. Aurion Biotech is the recipient of the prestigious Prix Galien award for best start-up in biotech. The Company is preparing for clinical trials in the U.S. We are growing rapidly and seek to hire highly motivated candidates from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, who share our values: 

• Stewardship: We make the world a better place for our patients, our communities, our clinicians, and our colleagues. We act responsibly as individuals, as employees, and as a company. 
• Transformation: We embrace our challenges, our successes, and our failures. We are curious, we take risks, and we collaborate. 
• Grit: We break down walls and strive to achieve the impossible. We are persistent and resilient, and we deliver on our commitments. 

Aurion Biotech has a lot to accomplish in the next few years and this role is key to our success. Privately held, Aurion Biotech is backed by Alcon, the global leader in eye care. To learn more about Aurion Biotech, visit www.aurionbiotech.com

LIFE AT AURION BIOTECH

We want our people to wake up every morning excited and energized for work. We value employees, which is why we invest in making life at Aurion Biotech healthy, fun, and rewarding:

• Robust Benefits: We offer full health insurance to employees and their families, and all the acronyms: 401(k) matching, EAP, FSA, and generous PTO.
• Total Rewards: We offer competitive compensation packages to ensure all Aurion employees are rewarded for their hard work.
• Perks and Fun: Paid parking, subsidized commuter passes, in-office catered lunches, team events, and community projects are just a few ways that we bond, celebrate each other, have fun, and live our values.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP) preferred.
• Proven experience (8 years) in IT, with a strong background in managing IT service providers and overseeing IT governance.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing IT policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks.
• In-depth knowledge of IT audit processes, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present and engage with a C-level team.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make strategic decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to tackle day-to-day IT issues to ensure customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must bring experience with managing an MSP IT Provider.
• Must be willing to be both hands-on and strategic.
• Previous experience in establishing an IT department from the ground up is highly preferred.