Senior Director, Global Information Systems (GIS) Lead, India

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At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary

The Global Information Systems (GIS) India Lead, is responsible for leading and managing the GIS team located in Bengaluru, India. This role is accountable for ensuring this GIS site’s effective operation, alignment with Illumina’s GIS strategy, and delivery of high-quality IT solutions and services.

The Global Information Systems (GIS) India Lead serves as the senior GIS leader in India, reporting directly to the CIO, and will be responsible for people leadership, operational oversight, budget accountability, and the implementation of global priorities at the site level. Success in this role requires the ability to operate, influence, and deliver within a highly matrixed global organization, balancing enterprise priorities with local execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for the GIS team in Bengaluru, ensuring delivery against strategic and operational goals.
• Act as the senior GIS representative in India, ensuring alignment with the CIO’s vision and priorities.
• Build, lead, and manage a high-performing team, including recruitment, development, retention, and succession planning.
• Establish and manage budgets, staffing plans, schedules, and site performance metrics.
• Ensure delivery of IT projects, products, and services in line with agreed business priorities, timelines, and quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Agile, and Six Sigma methods, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
• Partner with global business and IT leaders to align India-based activities with enterprise strategies and roadmaps.
• Ensure compliance with Illumina policies, applicable laws, and regulatory standards, including governance, security, and data protection requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including HR, Finance, Facilities, Engineering, and Legal to support site operations.
• Address operational and personnel issues promptly and escalate when appropriate.
• Act as a steward of Illumina’s culture and values, fostering inclusivity, engagement, and ethical leadership.
• Influence and negotiate enterprise-wide or regional policy at the executive level.
• Drive the development of new or improved solutions to address key business challenges across the region.
• Maintain regular interaction with executive management, influencing strategic direction and policy.

Key Competencies

Strategic and Operational Leadership

Demonstrates the ability to think and act strategically while ensuring disciplined operational execution. Balances long-term vision with short-term delivery, ensuring that site-level objectives remain aligned with global GIS goals.

Matrixed Influence and Cross-Functional Collaboration

Operates effectively in a highly matrixed global organization. Builds strong relationships across geographies and functions, influencing without direct authority and aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

Talent Development and Coaching

Creates a strong leadership pipeline by developing, mentoring, and empowering managers and team members. Establishes clear performance standards and invests in people’s growth to ensure both technical and leadership capability are continuously strengthened.

Results Orientation and Accountability

Sets clear expectations, holds self and others accountable, and consistently drives for results. Demonstrates the ability to prioritize, deliver outcomes, and maintain high standards of performance in demanding and dynamic environments.

Strong Communication and Stakeholder Management

Communicates clearly and credibly across all levels of the organization, including executive leadership. Tailors messaging appropriately for different audiences and ensures transparency, alignment, and trust in all interactions.

Change Leadership and Adaptability

Effectively leads teams through transformation and ambiguity. Champions innovation, embraces new ways of working, and builds resilience within the organization to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and emerging business needs.

Cultural Awareness and Inclusivity

Embeds Illumina’s values into the site culture, fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and employee engagement. Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural differences and ensures that the Bengaluru site reflects both a strong local identity and seamless integration with global teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role includes direct supervision of a team of eight (8) with 200 plus employees at the site level, with responsibility for performance management, coaching and development, workload prioritization, and day-to-day oversight. The position is also responsible for hiring, onboarding, and navigating people-related matters in alignment with company policies, values, and evolving workplace expectations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 20 years of related experience, with 12+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, including at least 10+ years of Management experience leading large teams in India.
• Experience managing senior managers in a matrix environment. Demonstrated experience leading teams of 200+ employees.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive-level policy and strategy.
• Proven experience in enterprise IT transformation initiatives (e.g., SAP S/4, Salesforce, or equivalent platforms).
• Budget management and operational oversight experience.
• Strong knowledge of IT governance, risk management, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in performance metrics, process improvement, and Lean/Agile practices.
• Extensive experience working within complex, highly matrixed multinational organizations, with proven ability to influence across functions and geographies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Business Administration.
• Experience in global capability center leadership roles.
• Experience with contingent workforce models and vendor/partner management.
• Direct experience managing site-level operations in a multinational company.

Other Requirements

• Flexible to work across multiple time zones as business demands.
• Ability to travel internationally as required. Anticipated travel is 10-20% of the time

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.