Senior Director of IT

Caribou Biosciences is a leading clinical-stage CRISPR genome-editing biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing transformative therapies for patients with devastating diseases. The company’s genome-editing platform, including its Cas12a chRDNA technology, enables superior precision to develop cell therapies that are armored to potentially improve activity against diseases. Caribou is focused on CB-010 and CB-011 as off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies that have the potential to provide broad access and rapid treatment for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Members of the Caribou herd open their minds to new ideas and welcome diverse perspectives. We proudly assert that teams do their best work when their members are personally engaged, their ideas are taken seriously, and contributions are recognized. Members of the herd work from our headquarters in Berkeley, California, or remotely.

Summary

We are seeking a dynamic IT leader to develop and implement enterprise-wide IT solutions, ensuring high standards of security and compliance. This role will oversee the IT team, including internal and outsourced resources, and be pivotal in maintaining and enhancing our IT systems to support business operations and growth. This is primarily an onsite role, working closely with Caribou’s Berkeley-based IT team and third party service partners. The position will serve as a key partner to executive leadership, driving technology strategies that support business expansion, enhance patient services, and ensure regulatory readiness. This role reports to the CFO.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop, gain alignment on, and implement enterprise-wide IT solutions that support Caribou’s strategic goals
• Establish and lead a cross-functional IT strategy steering committee
• Collaborate with executive leadership to understand current and future business needs and translate them into scalable IT strategies
• Participate in enterprise portfolio and budget planning

Compliance, Security & Governance

• Lead the implementation and validation of GxP and SOX-compliant IT systems
• Serve as the primary IT point of contact during regulatory audits
• Develop strategies for IT risk management, change control, and user account oversight
• Maintain and evolve IT-specific SOPs, especially with regard to AI integration and cybersecurity
• Present cybersecurity updates to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Technology Enablement & Innovation

• Oversee the design, implementation, and support of Caribou’s IT infrastructure including cloud and on-premises applications
• Drive innovation by identifying and integrating AI capabilities that enhance functional effectiveness
• Lead systems integration efforts across platforms and departments to improve enterprise-wide efficiency and data flow
• Provide technology expertise and guidance to internal teams

Team & Vendor Management

• Lead a team of IT professionals and manage external vendors and service providers
• Forecast and manage resourcing needs aligned with business priorities
• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and development within the IT team

Controls & Operational Excellence

• Oversee business application elements of SOX compliance
• Ensure robust IT security protocols and data protection measures are implemented and maintained
• Foster a service-oriented mindset and strong partnerships with stakeholders across all business functions

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role
• Proven experience setting and executing IT strategies in a high-growth, development-stage biopharma or life sciences environment
• Deep familiarity with enterprise applications, such as ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle)
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse internal and external teams and vendors
• Strong knowledge of GxP, SOX, cybersecurity, and data governance standards

Preferred

• Experience integrating AI/ML into enterprise applications
• MBA or advanced degree in a technical discipline
• Experience presenting to executive teams and Boards

Caribou compensation and benefits include:

• Comprehensive compensation package, which includes competitive salary, bonus, and equity for all employees
• Salary Range: $255.000 to $290,000 - This represents the present low and high-end of the Company’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location, skill, experience, and performance
• Generous paid vacation time, in addition to company-observed holidays and floating holidays
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, which includes matching employer contributions
• Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Tuition reimbursement program

The benefits and stock purchase described above are subject to the terms and conditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements, or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to terms and conditions regarding eligibility.

Caribou is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, hair texture or type or any other basis protected by law. In addition, Caribou prohibits the harassment of any individual on any of the bases listed above or any other characteristics protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies. All agencies must have a valid written agreement with Caribou Biosciences, Inc.for service in place. Any resume or candidate submitted by a staffing agency without such an agreement in place will be considered unsolicited, and Caribou Biosciences, Inc.  will not be obligated to pay any referral or placement fee.