Director of IT & Data

Salary

Core Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Key Responsibilities

• •Define and execute the platform, data, and IT strategy in alignment with The Ocean Cleanup’s mission and organizational objectives.
• •Define, own, and prioritize a multi-year software, platform, data, and IT roadmap.
• •Support operational teams with strategic data architecture and structural technology needs.
• •Manage budgets, prioritize technology investments, and ensure expenditure delivers measurable organizational value.
• •Establish architectural principles and ensure consistency across internally developed and externally sourced solutions.
• •Oversee scalable and reliable IT infrastructure, including cloud environments, applications, workplace technology, and collaboration systems.
• •Ensure employees at the Rotterdam headquarters and those working remotely have reliable and well-supported hardware, software, and business systems, including ERP and CRM solutions.
• •Manage and negotiate relationships with technology vendors and external service providers.
• •Develop and maintain appropriate disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities.
• •Ensure technology choices support the organization’s growth while reflecting its innovative and pragmatic approach.
• •Oversee the collection, storage, governance, and analysis of organizational and operational data.
• •Develop and maintain internal applications that turn data into high-quality decision-making tools across areas such as research, modelling, performance tracking, and optimization.
• •Manage the portfolio of data applications and determine when capabilities should be developed internally, procured externally, or outsourced.
• •Oversee appropriate data platforms, BI tools, data lakes, and dashboards supporting organizational KPIs and decision-making.
• •Define and implement data governance policies and standards across the organization.
• •Own the organization’s cyber risk and governance approach, translating risk appetite into appropriate controls and practices.
• •Ensure sensitive information, including research data, donor information, and proprietary technology, is appropriately protected.
• •Ensure relevant technology and data practices comply with applicable requirements and standards, including GDPR, ISO 27001, and the EU AI Act.
• •Lead incident response and ensure clear processes and communication are in place for technology and cybersecurity incidents.
• •Lead, develop, and support a multidisciplinary IT and Data team of approximately 9 permanent employees and 6 contractors.
• •Build a high-performing team through effective hiring, coaching, development, and retention.
• •Foster strong collaboration between IT and other departments, ensuring technology solutions address shared organizational needs.
• •Operate effectively with senior leadership and at management-team/C-suite level, translating technology topics into clear organizational priorities and decisions.
• •Lead change effectively as new systems, processes, and ways of working are introduced.