Director of Information Technology

POSITION OVERVIEW: Our client is seeking a Director of Information Technology to provide vision and leadership to architect and implement a technology strategy that fosters innovation, creates competitive advantages, improves service quality, supports business development, improves cost-effectiveness, and leads to greater performance and revenue throughout the company’s technology platform. The Director of I.T. will report to the CFO and is responsible for planning, coordinating, designing, and executing all technology platforms, including hardware, software, and connectivity as well as business continuity and IT Security protocols and operational activities under the scope of the VP, Information Technology department and the Information Technology systems and applications in support of our clients operations and portfolio of acquisitions.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director of I.T. will oversee the plan, design, and build activities of the organization's infrastructure projects. This person will provide the vision and strategy for designing, developing, and implementing IT Infrastructure ensuring key business strategies and processes to enable enterprise growth and flexibility. This role will manage a team responsible for planning, coordinating, directing, and designing all engineering activities of the infrastructure organization, as well as provide direction and support for IT solutions that enhance business operations. This includes oversight of our data networks, circuits, audio/video platforms, network cyber security, servers, databases, middleware, storage, disaster recovery, backup solutions, and 3rd Party vendors.

Responsibilities:

Technology Infrastructure Management:

• Work with the CFO and the leadership to plan and manage a multi-year technology roadmap, business plan, and budget and manage a growing platform and technology tools needed.
• This person will lead and coordinate IT infrastructure development and operations to ensure key business strategies and processes are supported by systems enabling enterprise growth and flexibility.
• As the leader of everything IT, you will ensure that the IT Business Plan objectives are successfully delivered meeting quality, time, and budget expectations
• Provide IT Strategy and thought leadership by communicating vision, strategies, and objectives to the leadership team.

Service Delivery:

• Ensure the availability of necessary application systems to support business and operational needs.
• Supervise and manage 3rd party vendors when needed for needed support dealing with IT Risk & Security, Network, Desktop Support, Telecommunications, and Asset management.
• Direct, manage, and evaluate Infrastructure strategic planning, goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
• Provide accurate and timely communication of status, risks, and timelines, including system downtime/uptime, outages/availability, and performance.

Vendor Management & Project Delivery:

• Assist in building relationships with vendors and creating cost-efficient contracts.
• Communication, interaction, and negotiation of pricing contracts with IT vendors
• Delivery of projects on time and on budget
• Direct activities in collaboration with the head of IT Security to ensure execution, maintenance, and sustainability of the Information Security Program.

Research and Analysis:

• Stay well-informed of best practices in the IT infrastructure and service delivery field, coordinate and/or evaluate new and emerging practices and technologies, and recommend and promote adoption as appropriate.
• Represent the organization with federal, state, local, and professional organizations in IT infrastructure.

Cyber Security:

• Develop a vision and roadmap for technology on a cyber program that covers computer systems, operating systems, virtualization, software systems, and networking realms.
• Integrates development activities including data logging, high-speed ingest, situational awareness visualization, decision automation, intrusion containment, and malware propagation eradication.
• Incorporates industry trends that drive and impact cyber including data visualization, data analytics, machine learning, virtualization, cloud, automation, DevOps, DevSecOps, Agile, software, and networking technologies.
• Acts as a control gate for requirements and user story reviews.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE | QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• At least 8-10 years of experience in Information Technology with recent experience leading a team of technology team; ERP implementation experience is a plus.
• Ability to build a technology roadmap/playbook for integrating new packaged software, customized software rollouts, and software upgrades company wide.
• Experience in a Multi-site, Manufacturing, and Private Equity backed company.
• Experience with multiple ERP & CRM platforms and implementation experience required.
• Experience designing, developing, and sustaining Defensive Cyber Operations Computer, Network, and Software Systems.
• Experience with Agile development practices; the full lifecycle of a project including requirements analysis, design, implementation, cybersecurity, testing, training, deployment, and sustainment.
• Experience automating the development and cybersecurity build products through implementing DevOps and DevSecOps methodologies.
• Must demonstrate a broad range of change program experience, automation, virtualization, and cyber security.
• Knowledge of contemporary IT infrastructure—hybrid—on-prem/cloud architecture.
• Demonstrates expert-level knowledge of the Microsoft Azure platform and related services.
• Understanding of differences between traditional on-premise and cloud platforms.
• Working knowledge of network infrastructure and security monitoring tools.
• Thorough knowledge of general principles of ITIL, project management, and IT.
• Working knowledge and expertise with automation scripting (preferred).
• Proficient understanding of cloud computing technologies and related networking methodologies.
• Proficient understanding of unified telecom technologies including VOIP and video conferencing.
• Working knowledge and expertise with VMware, most Microsoft Server products and Microsoft Windows applications, SQL Server, Azure and building internal cloud alternatives.
• Knowledge of Network Security infrastructure (Firewalls, Proxy Servers, VPN concentrators) a plus
• Working knowledge of VLANs and CoS/QoS preferred.
• Able to collaborate and present at all levels of the organization.
• Able to lead key initiatives using core project management fundamentals.
• Network problem analysis and troubleshooting.
• Develop positive work relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Explain technical subjects to non-technical people in a precise and simple way.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems as they arise and to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity
• Ability to continuously learn new technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with senior leadership and supporting business processes and Information Technology systems, including Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Operations, Sales & Marketing.
• Experience managing budgets and effectively planning and managing activities within the established constraints of approved budgets.
• Solid understanding of various Information Technology tools, testing, and analysis.
• Proven experience in Information Technology strategic planning, organization, and development
• In-depth knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and security protocols as they relate to Information Technology.

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• A leader and team-builder that is results-oriented and passionate to win
• Demonstrates an enterprise mindset and ensures their team supports the needs of the broader business.
• A professional of the highest personal integrity who honors his or her commitments and always strives for excellence.
• Understands how to operate in a collaborative/entrepreneurial team environment.
• Comfortable and successful working in smaller, less rigorous situations where success has depended on creating the path forward, rather than following the existing process.
• Comfortable and successful in working within a nebulous environment, wherein you must craft the problem statement and the solution.
• Self-starter, passion, energy, personal drive, and motivation. Can-do attitude with an ability to manage appropriate risk while pushing the business forward with an unrelenting sense of urgency.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Execution-focused and comfortable “rolling up your sleeves” to “get it done”.