Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in precision medicine development. We support pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market. With over 700 professionals across five sites in Europe and the United States, our culture emphasizes openness, transparency, and ownership. We value collaboration, trust, and initiative, believing that strong teamwork and an open mindset are essential for delivering high-quality solutions in a fast-moving industry. If you are motivated by meaningful work and want to contribute to the development of medicines for unmet medical needs, Ardena offers an environment where you can truly make an impact.

About the Company

Ardena operates from locations in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), Pamplona (Spain), and Somerset, New Jersey, USA.

The Role

We are looking for a seasoned IT Applications Director to strengthen our Corporate IT leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer, you will take ownership of Ardena’s full application portfolio, spanning quality, manufacturing, laboratory, commercial, and corporate systems. You will collaborate closely with business unit leaders, system owners, and IT teams across our international sites to ensure applications deliver maximum value, remain compliant with regulatory requirements, and support Ardena’s growth. This strategic and hands-on role combines technical depth with strong business partnership to drive application excellence across a multi-site, GxP-regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve Ardena’s application portfolio strategy, covering ERP, LIMS, QMS, MES, CRM, and other critical platforms.
• Partner with business unit leaders to understand evolving needs and translate them into application roadmaps and investment plans.
• Drive standardization and harmonization of applications across sites, reducing complexity while improving user experience.
• Lead the evaluation, delivery, and adoption of application platforms aligned with Ardena’s digital transformation objectives.
• Oversee the selection, implementation, and lifecycle management of enterprise applications, ensuring minimal business disruption.
• Define and maintain application architecture principles, integration standards, and data governance practices.
• Ensure all applications comply with GxP requirements, GDPR, ISO 27001, and relevant information security standards.
• Lead and develop a team of application managers, business analysts, and support specialists across sites.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs for application services and software licenses.
• Contribute to the broader IT strategy and represent IT Applications in leadership forums.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years in an application management or IT leadership role.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise application programs in a life science or comparably regulated environment.
• Familiarity with information security standards and frameworks, including ISO 27001.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, LIMS, QMS, and/or MES platforms.
• Track record of delivering complex application implementations and modernization programs on time and within budget.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Dutch, German, or Spanish is a plus.
• Willingness to travel to several locations to support local teams (25% travel).

What We Offer

• A challenging and impactful leadership role in a learning organization that supports professional growth.
• A collaborative, international working environment with engaged and knowledgeable colleagues.
• An open corporate culture with short communication lines.
• Attractive employment conditions and flexible working hours to support work-life balance.

Application Process

Ready to start your career path with Ardena? Click the application button and join us in shaping the future of drug development! Only candidates eligible to work in the EU will be considered for the position. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, professionals not entitled to work in the EU will not receive a status update. Agency calls will not be appreciated.