Director, IT

Quarterhill•UNAVAILABLE, Texas

About The Position

The Director, IT is responsible for leading the organization’s IT operations, technology services, and overall IT strategy. This role provides leadership and direction across IT support, infrastructure, systems administration, cybersecurity, identity and access management, and technology operations to ensure reliable, secure, and effective technology services across the organization. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Director, IT establishes priorities, develops and maintains IT standards and processes, manages technology risks, and ensures IT services align with business needs and organizational objectives. This position serves as a senior technology leader and trusted partner to stakeholders across the organization. This role requires a strong balance of strategic leadership, operational oversight, technical knowledge, and people leadership. The Director, IT is responsible for building a responsive and accountable IT function, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring a consistently positive experience for employees and business partners.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to lead IT operations and technology services within a business environment.
Proven experience developing and executing IT strategies, roadmaps, and operational plans.
Strong technical knowledge across infrastructure, systems administration, Microsoft technologies, cybersecurity, and end-user computing.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex technical and business issues and develop practical solutions.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining focus on business objectives.
Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions with limited supervision.
Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing IT teams.
Strong vendor management and relationship-building skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
7+ years of progressive experience in IT, including demonstrated experience in a leadership or management capacity.
Strong experience with: Windows 10 and Windows 11 in enterprise environments, Windows Server, Active Directory administration, Microsoft 365 administration, Azure / Entra ID, Microsoft Intune (MDM/MAM), Exchange Online, Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Endpoint management and security.
Experience with: ITSM platforms such as ServiceNow, Microsoft Defender and endpoint security technologies, VPN technologies, including Palo Alto GlobalProtect, Networking fundamentals and Cisco technologies, PowerShell scripting and automation, IT asset and lifecycle management, Vendor and technology service management, IT budgeting and technology planning.
Working knowledge of: Cybersecurity and incident response, Business continuity and disaster recovery, Security and compliance frameworks, including PCI and SOC, IT governance, risk management, and security best practices, Cloud technologies and Microsoft Azure.
Ability to lift and transport equipment up to 40 lbs. as needed.
Ability to participate in occasional after-hours support or incident response activities when required.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the IT strategy and roadmap in alignment with organizational priorities and business objectives.
Lead day-to-day IT operations and ensure the effective delivery of reliable, secure, and scalable technology services.
Establish IT policies, standards, processes, and service expectations across the organization.
Assess technology needs and make recommendations regarding systems, infrastructure, applications, and services.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, technology capabilities, and the overall employee experience.
Develop and manage IT priorities, initiatives, and projects, balancing business requirements, risk, resources, and cost.
Serve as a senior point of escalation for significant technology, operational, and security matters.
Communicate IT priorities, risks, initiatives, and performance to leadership and key stakeholders.
Oversee IT support operations, ensuring timely and effective resolution of incidents and service requests in accordance with established SLAs.
Establish and monitor service delivery standards, performance metrics, and operational priorities.
Ensure effective ticket management, prioritization, escalation, and workload distribution across IT resources.
Drive continuous improvement of IT service management processes and end-user support.
Ensure consistent communication with users and stakeholders regarding significant issues, service interruptions, and resolution timelines.
Evaluate IT service providers and vendors to ensure service quality, responsiveness, and value.
Oversee the administration, maintenance, and performance of the organization’s technology infrastructure and systems.
Provide direction for Windows, Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra, networking, endpoint management, and related technologies.
Ensure appropriate standards for system configuration, availability, performance, monitoring, and documentation.
Oversee the lifecycle management of hardware, software, systems, and technology platforms.
Evaluate and implement technology improvements that support business continuity, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Ensure appropriate backup, recovery, and business continuity capabilities are maintained.
Provide leadership and oversight for the organization’s cybersecurity program and technology-related risk management.
Establish and maintain appropriate security policies, standards, and controls.
Oversee identity and access management, including Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra, MFA, and role-based access controls.
Monitor and oversee security alerts and incidents using Microsoft Defender and related security platforms.
Lead or coordinate the organization’s response to significant security incidents and technology-related risks.
Partner with internal and external resources to investigate, contain, and remediate security issues as required.
Identify security trends, vulnerabilities, and opportunities to strengthen the organization’s security posture.
Support compliance initiatives and ensure IT practices align with applicable security and compliance requirements, including PCI and SOC controls.
Establish and oversee processes for user provisioning, deprovisioning, and role-based access management.
Ensure access controls are appropriately aligned with employee roles and business requirements.
Oversee the administration of identity platforms, including Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Azure/Entra ID.
Ensure appropriate use of MFA and other security controls.
Periodically review access, permissions, and administrative privileges to support security and compliance requirements.
Maintain oversight of the organization’s IT asset lifecycle, including hardware, software, licensing, and related technology resources.
Ensure accurate asset and configuration records are maintained.
Develop and manage technology lifecycle and replacement strategies.
Manage relationships with IT vendors, service providers, and technology partners.
Evaluate vendor performance, contracts, licensing, and service agreements.
Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning for IT resources and initiatives.
Lead, mentor, and develop IT staff, providing clear direction, priorities, and performance expectations.
Build a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Establish appropriate roles, responsibilities, and operating practices within the IT function.
Support professional development, training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Recruit and retain IT talent with the skills required to support the organization’s evolving technology needs.
Foster effective collaboration between IT and other departments across the organization.
Partner with business leaders and functional teams to understand technology needs and identify opportunities to improve business processes.
Translate business requirements into practical technology solutions.
Provide guidance and recommendations to leadership on technology opportunities, risks, and investments.
Support organizational initiatives and projects where technology expertise or resources are required.
Promote effective and responsible use of technology across the organization.