Director IT

About this position

TNO is committed to driving societal and technological innovation. As an independent applied research organisation, TNO brings together knowledge, science and technology to develop solutions to complex societal challenges. Delivering on this ambition requires not only outstanding research and expertise, but also a professional organisation that enables its people and research teams to perform at their best.
A future-proof digital infrastructure and high-quality information services are strategically essential to this mission. They increasingly shape how TNO conducts research, collaborates, innovates and creates societal impact.

Business Information & Operations Services (BIOS)
Business Information & Operations Services (BIOS) is a key part of TNO’s Services Organisation. It supports the wider organisation through a range of services, including operational processes, facilities, information services, security, and research knowledge and information support.
BIOS comprises five departments: Corporate Real Estate & Facilities, Information Services, Operational Excellence & Auditing, Research Information Support, and Security.

Working as one integrated BIOS team, these departments collaborate closely to provide the best possible support to TNO. Strong relationships with internal stakeholders and colleagues are central to this approach. By understanding the organisation’s needs and priorities, BIOS aims to deliver services that enable TNO to achieve its strategic objectives successfully.

Information Services
Within BIOS, Information Services (IS) is at the heart of TNO’s internal digital services. IS is more than an internal IT service provider: it is a strategic partner in TNO’s digital development, playing a defining role in how employees collaborate, conduct research and apply emerging technologies.

IS ensures that employees and the organisation have access to a reliable, secure and future-proof digital working environment. To fulfil this responsibility, IS develops, manages and provides access to TNO’s IT infrastructure, AI capabilities, application landscape and digital workplace.

In doing so, IS supports not only day-to-day operations, but also TNO’s continued development. The organisation is evolving, ways of working are changing, and technological possibilities are advancing at an accelerating pace. IS ensures that its services keep pace with these developments, enabling TNO to work effectively, securely and with agility.

IS takes a forward-looking approach. Its services are continuously developed in line with TNO’s strategic direction and relevant technological and societal developments. This requires a demand-driven, project-based approach, a strong architectural foundation, and transparent decisions regarding priorities, service delivery and costs.

TNO Strategy 2026–2029

This agenda will become increasingly important over the coming years. TNO’s 2026–2029 strategy calls for an organisation that can respond to societal and technological developments with agility, foresight and effectiveness. Digitalisation plays a pivotal role in achieving this ambition. Emerging technologies, evolving ways of working, and increasingly stringent requirements around security, privacy and compliance mean that TNO’s digital foundations must be continuously strengthened and developed.

IS therefore faces a substantial transformation agenda. TNO is working to strengthen the digital sovereignty of the Netherlands and Europe while accelerating the digitalisation of its Services Organisation. The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) will fundamentally reshape the IT landscape and the way employees work. For TNO, this is about more than adopting new technologies: it is about understanding how AI can fundamentally transform research, service delivery, decision-making and collaboration. The Director of IT is expected to translate these developments into tangible opportunities for TNO, while ensuring that the choices made are responsible and aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
At the same time, TNO is in the midst of an ERP transformation, while expectations around cybersecurity, privacy, compliance and digital reliability continue to rise.
Further professionalisation of internal IT services is also a priority. This includes introducing key performance indicators (KPIs), increasing transparency around performance and costs, and modernising the helpdesks. Throughout this transformation, maintaining continuity, quality, agility and user satisfaction will remain essential.

Against this backdrop, the Director of IT plays a role of major strategic importance. The Director sets the direction for the development of TNO’s internal IT landscape, ensuring that technology, people, processes and services work together to create a secure, professional and future-proof organisation.

What will be your role?

As Director of IT, you will have overall responsibility for Information Services and provide both strategic and operational leadership for TNO’s internal IT services. You will be a member of the BIOS Leadership Team, working closely with fellow BIOS directors and the various TNO units.

Your central mandate is to develop IS into a forward-looking, professional and agile IT organisation that is closely aligned with TNO’s broader development. Building on a strong digital foundation, you will lead IS into its next phase: moving beyond reliable service delivery and operational management towards an organisation that makes a visible contribution to innovation, accelerated digital transformation and TNO’s strategic ambitions.

You will translate strategic and technological developments into clear decisions, priorities and tangible services. In doing so, you will create space for innovation and renewal without compromising continuity, security or reliability.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement an organisation-wide vision for information services and TNO’s future IT landscape. You will translate TNO’s strategy and organisational development into clear choices concerning infrastructure, applications, digital workplaces and IT services.
• Set direction and priorities across major IT transformation initiatives. You will lead and prioritise key programmes, including the ERP transformation, further digitalisation, the development and adoption of GenAI, and the continued professionalisation of internal IT services.
• Safeguard the quality, continuity and security of IT services. You will provide strategic direction on cybersecurity, compliance, architecture and governance, ensuring the availability, resilience and reliability of IT solutions.
• Improve focus, efficiency and transparency across the IT landscape and service portfolio. You will make clear choices about the IT portfolio, promote standardisation and automation, and introduce KPIs to measure performance and manage costs. You will further develop internal IT services into a more proactive, user-friendly and data-driven service organisation, including through the modernisation of the helpdesks.
• Strengthen collaboration between IS, the wider TNO organisation and relevant BIOS disciplines. You will take an organisation-wide perspective, ensuring that IT services align closely with the needs of TNO’s units and the development of its operations. You will work explicitly with the Data & Analytics Manager, the Security Manager and Operational Excellence & Auditing (OE&A), ensuring that decisions on digitalisation, information services, AI applications, cybersecurity, compliance, process improvement and service delivery are coordinated and mutually reinforcing.
• Strengthen the connection between the physical and digital working environments. As employees increasingly work remotely and ways of working continue to evolve, TNO needs a shared vision of how people can work effectively and securely. You will actively contribute to discussions on capacity, priorities and alignment across transformation and digitalisation projects.

As a member of the BIOS Leadership Team, you will also contribute actively to organisation-wide challenges and shared priorities. Looking beyond the boundaries of IS, you will work with colleagues to further professionalise TNO’s services and operational management.

What we expect from you

We are looking for an experienced IT executive who can connect technological developments with TNO’s strategic and organisational ambitions. You see technology not as an end in itself, but as a powerful catalyst for innovation, better collaboration and societal impact. You bring a broad perspective, excel at leading complex transformation initiatives, and can translate challenging issues into clear decisions and measurable results.

You bring:

• A proven track record in executive IT leadership. You have held overall responsibility for IT at executive level, preferably within a knowledge-intensive, complex or mission-driven organisation. You have at least 10 years of relevant experience in IT, information services and digitalisation.
• Strong analytical and strategic capabilities. You operate at an academic level and can quickly grasp complex technological, organisational and governance-related challenges.
• Experience transforming large IT or digital service organisations. You have delivered demonstrable results in transformation, professionalisation and organisational development. You know how to make an organisation not only more efficient and professional, but also more attractive to work in, faster, more innovative and more responsive to internal customers.
• Strategic expertise across IT, AI, cybersecurity, compliance, digital sovereignty and business operations. You can bring these interconnected themes together into a coherent strategic direction.
• Strong experience in IT portfolio and governance management. You have demonstrable experience in portfolio management, architecture, sourcing, supplier management, cost control and governance. You are able to make clear choices while safeguarding service quality and continuity.
• The ability to advise and influence at executive and board level. You can explain the strategic implications and risks of technological developments, establish priorities and prepare complex decisions for senior leadership and board-level discussions.
• Credibility and the ability to build relationships in a complex governance environment. You establish trust with employees, internal stakeholders, executive leadership, employee representatives and external strategic partners.
• A balanced and effective leadership style. You combine transparent, people-centred leadership with decisiveness, strong execution and the ability to create focus and stability in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English. You communicate clearly, persuasively and with an understanding of governance and stakeholder dynamics, both verbally and in writing.

Your leadership

As Director of IT, you will be a leader who provides direction for change while bringing people along on the journey. You will maintain a visible presence throughout the organisation, bring different perspectives together and build commitment through collaboration and trust around the decisions and developments that matter to TNO.

For this role, TNO places particular emphasis on a number of leadership principles. These principles guide how you lead, collaborate and develop the organisation.

You are a leader who:

• Enables people to thrive and grow. You create an environment in which professionals take responsibility, develop their capabilities and perform at their best. You give people the space to apply their expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, while establishing clear expectations, ownership and accountability for results.
• Embraces technological change and brings others along. You create momentum in a complex environment and guide teams through transformation in a clear and engaging way, including the impact of AI on work, service delivery and organisational development.
• Inspires others and establishes a clear vision. You set the direction for the development of IS, translating TNO’s strategic ambitions and relevant technological developments, including AI, into a clear and compelling vision for the organisation.
• Provides direction and creates focus. You have the confidence to set priorities, make clear decisions and ensure progress and tangible results.
• Builds connections within and beyond the organisation. You foster collaboration, establish lasting relationships with TNO’s units, colleagues across BIOS and external partners, and position IS as a strategic partner in digitalisation, AI adoption and future-proof service delivery.

Through your leadership, you will build an Information Services organisation that operates professionally, proactively and with agility. An organisation that not only ensures TNO can rely on its digital capabilities today, but also helps shape how TNO will work, conduct research and innovate tomorrow. In doing so, you will make a visible and strategic contribution through IS to the successful delivery of TNO’s 2026–2029 strategy.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between €9.095,- en € 12.993,-(based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Applications can be submitted until 22 November 2026. After the application deadline, the selection process will consist of an initial meeting with the Executive Recruiter, followed by three interview rounds.

Initial Meeting with the Executive Recruiter
The initial meetings will take place via Microsoft Teams on 24 and 25 November 2026 and will last approximately 45 minutes. Candidates who receive a positive assessment from both sides will be invited to the first interview round.

First and Second Interview Rounds
The first interview round is scheduled for 30 November and 3 December 2026. The second interview round is scheduled for 8 and 9 December 2026.

Assessment and Reference Checks
Candidates who progress beyond the second interview round will be invited to participate in an in-depth assessment and undergo reference checks. Both are integral parts of the selection process and must be completed before the third interview round.

Third Interview Round
The third interview round will take place on 14 december 2026, following completion of the assessment and reference checks. During this round, candidates will meet, among others, with TNO's Executive Board.

Following the third interview round, a decision will be made regarding the preferred candidate. The selected candidate will subsequently be invited to discuss the terms and conditions of employment.

Security Screening and Certificate of Conduct
As part of the employment process, you will be required to provide a Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG). In addition, this position requires a Certificate of No Objection (Verklaring van Geen Bezwaar, VGB). A security screening will therefore be conducted before employment commences. Read more about security screening.