Senior Manager/Associate Director, Information Technology

About Us

Nkarta is a publicly traded (Nasdaq symbol NKTX), clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in South San Francisco, focused on advancing the development of allogeneic, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapies to treat autoimmune disease.

Founded in 2015, Nkarta is on a mission to harness the body’s natural killer cells – the immune system’s first responders – to deliver a safe, accessible form of cell therapy to treat B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Our vision is to make cell therapy more broadly available to patients by pioneering allogeneic NK cells that can be dosed in outpatient, community health settings.

Nkarta’s engineering process enhances the natural ability of NK cells to fight disease by identifying and eliminating unhealthy cells, including malfunctioning B cells at the root of many autoimmune conditions. Our lead NK cell therapy candidate, NKX019, uses NK cells collected from healthy donors rather than burdening the patient with a blood collection. Using donor-derived cells allows us to develop CAR NK cells off the shelf and on demand.

Nkarta is a people-driven company looking for passionate, collaborative, determined team members galvanized by a paradigm-shifting opportunity to change the cell therapy landscape.  

Overview

Nkarta is seeking a hands-on Senior Manager/Associate Director, Information Technology to lead the company’s IT function as we advance our lead NK cell therapy candidate toward pivotal and Phase 3 clinical trials. This role serves as the head of the Information Technology department, reporting to the SVP, Head of Operations, and is responsible for the strategy, infrastructure, security, and compliance of the IT systems that support our manufacturing, quality, clinical, scientific, and corporate operations.

This is a true working leadership role: the successful candidate will roll up their sleeves to support day-to-day IT needs while also directly managing one IT FTE and overseeing an outsourced IT consulting firm that extends the team’s capacity. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, adaptable IT leader to build and scale the technology foundation of a growing, publicly traded biotechnology company as it moves toward pivotal trials and eventual commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the head of the Information Technology function, owning IT strategy, infrastructure, systems, and security.
• Operate in a hands-on capacity, personally supporting day-to-day IT operations, end-user support, and technical troubleshooting alongside the team.
• Directly manage and develop one IT FTE, and oversee the performance, deliverables, and relationship with an outsourced IT consulting firm/managed service provider (MSP).
• Design, implement, and maintain the company’s network, server, cloud, and end-user computing infrastructure to support a growing clinical-stage organization.
• Own the company’s cybersecurity program, including endpoint protection, identity and access management, vulnerability management, security awareness training, and incident response.
• Ensure computer systems used in GxP-regulated processes are Validated and maintained in compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, data integrity, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Administer and support core business and scientific applications (e.g., Microsoft 365, ERP, lab systems, eQMS,) in partnership with functional business owners.
• Manage the IT budget, vendor contracts, and software licensing, including overseeing the IT consulting firm’s statement of work, service levels, and performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Clinical Operations, Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Finance, and HR to ensure IT systems and data support the company’s transition toward pivotal trials and eventual commercialization.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans to safeguard clinical, scientific, and corporate data.
• Support SOX IT general controls and coordinate with Finance and external auditors, consistent with Nkarta’s status as a publicly traded company.
• Establish and maintain IT policies, procedures, and change control processes appropriate for a scaling, regulated biotechnology company.
• Lead technology onboarding/offboarding and hardware/software lifecycle management for all employees.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience supporting an evolving clinical-stage company, including scaling IT systems and infrastructure to meet increasing regulatory and operational demands.
• Hands-on expertise managing network, server, cloud (e.g., AWS, Azure), and end-user computing environments.
• Strong knowledge of computer system validation (CSV), 21 CFR Part 11, GxP requirements, and data integrity principles as applied to IT systems.
• Experience administering enterprise and scientific applications commonly used in biotech (e.g., eQMS, ERP, Microsoft 365, QT9, BMS/EMS,).
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST) and hands-on experience building and maintaining a security program.
• Experience managing IT budgets and outsourced IT service providers/consulting firms, including SLAs and vendor performance.
• Familiarity with SOX IT general controls in a publicly traded company environment.
• A true “working” leader mentality – comfortable balancing strategic IT leadership with hands-on, individual-contributor work in a small, resource-conscious organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence across all levels and functions of the organization.
• Proven ability to manage and develop a direct report as well as external consultants/vendors to deliver results.
• Excellent judgment and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage competing demands in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach with strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative, low-ego style.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable processes and systems that grow with the organization as it advances toward commercialization.
• High degree of integrity and discretion when handling confidential company, clinical, and employee data.

Education/Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3-5 years leading an IT function, department, or team.
• Prior experience in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences company strongly preferred
• Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL, CISSP, Security+) are a plus but not required.

Additional Information

This is a hands-on role that requires regular on-site presence to support IT infrastructure, network equipment, and end-user technology, including work in server/network closet environments in addition to standard office settings. The role may occasionally require lifting and moving IT equipment (up to approximately 40 lbs). The common requirements of an office environment (computers, computer screens, workstations, etc.) apply when not working in or around the laboratory environment. Car and airplane travel might be required of this role for conferences and meetings. This role is local to the office in South San Francisco; however, the team works a hybrid schedule with work from home days.

Working at Nkarta

There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base salary, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education and experience, as well as the value of other elements of an employee’s total compensation package.  Nkarta also offers an annual discretionary bonus, equity grant(s), medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.  Other benefits include 401K plan, flexible spending account, ESPP, employee assistance program, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid parental, pregnancy, and bereavement leave.

The 100+ team members describe working at Nkarta through some of the following comments. While getting better work-life balance and improving communications between groups in an early stage start up environment are two areas on which we are working, here are real, anonymous comments about or regarding why people think Nkarta is a great place to work.

• “People are always open to ideas.”
• “Exceptionally talented, committed, *kind* & supportive team.”
• “The CEO is transparent and honest with expectations for the whole company. There is genuine care amongst the leadership team for their peers and employees. I believe this is unique.”
• “Not to sound corny, but the emphasis on people as a valuable resource is something I recognize doesn't often exist elsewhere, and it's here in ample supply, which is great.”
• “It's the first place that I've worked where the executive team truly values the employees. It's a pretty amazing thing not to hear that employees can be replaced with someone new. Institutional knowledge is understood.”
• “We have a very diverse team with executives that are friendly and accessible.”
• “Smart and dedicated colleagues. Mission to make a difference in patients’ lives. Empower us with tools needed to succeed. Open and transparent culture. Transparent leadership.”

To learn more about our work at Nkarta and the career opportunities that will drive us forward to serve patients, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nkartatx.com.