Head of Information Technology

Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Guided by our core values, Stay True to Why, Collaborate to Accelerate, Lead with Clarity, Boldly Innovative, and Own the Outcome, we are committed to transforming the future of treatment for autoimmune disease. Join us at the forefront of cell therapy innovation and help redefine what’s possible.

Title: Head of Information Technology
Reports to: CFO
Location: Emeryville, CA (Hybrid) preferred or Remote with west coast hours

The Head of Information Technology leads the company’s technology strategy as it transitions from a development-stage biotech to a fully integrated commercial organization. Reporting to the CFO, this role is responsible for enterprise applications, cybersecurity, infrastructure, validation, data governance, IT operations, and digital enablement.

The Head of IT will build scalable, secure, and compliant technology capabilities that enable commercialization, regulatory readiness, and operational excellence. This leader partners closely with Commercial, Medical Affairs, Manufacturing & Supply, Quality, Regulatory, Clinical Development, Finance, HR, and Legal to align technology investments with business priorities.

This role also builds and leads a high-performing IT organization and manages key technology vendors and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Technology Strategy & Leadership

Define and execute a multi-year technology roadmap aligned with corporate and commercialization strategy.

Serve as a senior advisor on technology strategy, investments, and risk.

Establish governance, operating models, and decision frameworks to support scale.

Lead IT strategy for transition to commercial operations, including launch readiness.

Commercialization & Business Systems Enablement

Lead deployment of commercial systems (CRM, incentive compensation, territory alignment, analytics, omnichannel tools, etc.).

Partner with Commercial leadership to enable field operations, customer engagement, and market access.

Ensure integration of commercial platforms with ERP, HRIS, finance, and enterprise data systems.

Drive enterprise application strategy across all business functions.

Enterprise Applications & Integration

Own enterprise application strategy, implementation, integration, and lifecycle management.

Develop scalable architecture supporting end-to-end business processes across all functions.

Lead data governance, master data management, and enterprise reporting.

Evaluate and implement technologies that improve efficiency and performance.

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

Lead enterprise cybersecurity, protecting IP, patient data, and regulated systems.

Oversee IT risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response.

Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal control requirements.

Partner with Legal, Quality, and Internal Audit on risk mitigation and audits.

Validation & GxP Systems

Oversee validation strategy for GxP systems and regulated environments.

Ensure inspection readiness and compliance with regulatory expectations.

Partner with Quality and Regulatory on validation governance and documentation.

IT Operations & Infrastructure

Lead infrastructure, cloud, networks, collaboration tools, and end-user computing.

Ensure reliable and scalable global IT service delivery.

Oversee service desk operations, ITSM, and continuous improvement.

Define service levels and operational standards.

Talent & Organizational Leadership

Build and lead a high-performing IT organization for a growing public biotech company.

Develop leaders across cybersecurity, applications, infrastructure, and operations.

Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence.

Align workforce planning with business growth.

Vendor & Financial Management

Lead IT sourcing, vendor management, and strategic partnerships.

Oversee IT operating and capital budgets.

Ensure vendor performance and value delivery aligned to business goals.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in information systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.  Master’s degree preferred.
15+ years of progressive IT leadership experience in biotech or pharma is a must.
Demonstrated experience building and scaling technology organizations through commercial launch and rapid growth.
Experience leading enterprise application implementation and integration initiatives, including ERP, CRM, data, and corporate systems.
Experience enabling first commercial product launches and field force deployments is a must.
Experience supporting cell therapy, CAR-T, or other advanced therapy programs is highly desirable.
Significant experience leading cybersecurity, technology risk management, and compliance programs.
Experience supporting GxP-regulated environments and computer system validation activities.
Proven track record managing external vendors, systems integrators, and managed service providers.
Proven leadership of multi-layer IT organizations and external partners.
Strong Knowledge of commercial life sciences platforms and data ecosystems is highly desirable.

The national salary range for this position is $290K to $ $325K USD annually.

The San Francisco Bay area salary range for this position is $310K to $ $340K USD annually.  

The salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this position, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.  This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in Company’s stock plan.