Head of Technology

Head of Technology, Data & Systems The Ocean Cleanup
IT · Full-time
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Posted on Aug 15, 2026 MISSION TO METRICS
The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit that develops and scales solutions to rid the world's oceans of plastic, driving systemic change and creating a lasting positive impact for people, wildlife, and the planet. Delivering on this mission requires technology, systems, and data infrastructure that enable the organization to operate effectively, scale internationally, and make high-quality decisions.
As Director of IT and Data, you will shape the technology and data landscape that supports this growth. By ensuring that our systems are scalable, secure, reliable, and fit for purpose, you will enable teams across the organization to focus on delivering impact. As a donor-funded organization, efficiency and output are critical: our technology investments must create measurable value and help maximize the impact of every euro invested in the mission.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Reporting to the VP Science & Technology, the Director of IT and Data is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of The Ocean Cleanup's IT, platform, and data functions.
You will define and execute the organization's technology and data strategy, ensuring that our infrastructure, applications, data architecture, and cybersecurity capabilities support both current operations and future scale-up. The role combines strategic leadership with the ability to engage deeply enough with technology to challenge architectural decisions, establish priorities, and ensure that solutions remain coherent across the organization.
You will lead a team of approximately 9 permanent employees and 6 contractors and work closely with teams across The Ocean Cleanup to understand their needs and translate them into scalable technology and data solutions. Beyond running a high-performing IT function, you will help define how technology and operat...