Director of Information Technology

Area15•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

AREA15 is an immersive entertainment and event destination that blends art and music in a dynamic environment. We are a hub for creativity, innovation, and unique experiences. Join us and be part of a team that thrives on imagination and passion. AREA15's parent company, Fisher Brothers is seeking an experienced and hands-on Director of Information Technology to lead and manage all aspects of IT operations across our New York City portfolio. This individual will oversee a small team consisting of two Help Desk Support Technicians and a Network Administrator, while serving as the senior technical authority for all systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology initiatives. The Director of IT will be a key driver in the planning and execution of a strategic network upgrade across Fisher Brothers' core building assets in New York City, working in close coordination with multiple third-party networking vendors. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who is equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and rolling up their sleeves to support end users directly. They will bring deep networking and cybersecurity expertise - including Cisco certification, hands-on Meraki experience, and a working knowledge of modern security frameworks - alongside a strong background in Microsoft 365 and end-user systems support for an office environment of approximately 80 employees and hourly staff.

Requirements

Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States
Comfortable working in a creative, entrepreneurial start-up environment, introducing new concepts and innovations.
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
10+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 4 years in a management or leadership role.
Demonstrated experience supporting an office environment, including both knowledge workers and hourly staff.
Deep expertise in Cisco networking technologies; active Cisco certification required (CCNA minimum; CCNP preferred).
Hands-on experience with Cisco Meraki — including wireless access points, switching, and security appliances.
Solid cybersecurity experience, including hands-on work with firewalls, EDR/antivirus platforms, SIEM tools, vulnerability management, and incident response.
Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST CSF, CIS Controls, or ISO 27001; ability to apply framework principles in a practical environment.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 administration, including SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Teams, and Azure AD.
Experience managing Help Desk operations and teams, including ticketing systems and SLA management.
Proven ability to manage multiple third-party technology vendors and hold them accountable to deliverables.
Experience leading or managing network infrastructure upgrade or refresh projects.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical and security concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
Must be across emerging AI platforms and their impact on improved IT administration.
Ability to understand, speak, read, and write the English language.
Computer skills in Microsoft applications. (Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.)
Availability for varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to work in an environment subject to varying levels of noise, crowds, flashing lights, and smoke.
Ability to work in all weather conditions including but not limited to extreme heat, sun exposure, wind, rain, extreme cold.

Nice To Haves

Cybersecurity certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISM, or CEH.
Experience in real estate, property management, or a similarly multi-site or multi-building operational environment.
Familiarity with building systems integration (e.g., access control, IP cameras, or building management system networking).
Microsoft 365 certifications.
Exposure to analytics, reporting, or business operations support is a plus.

Responsibilities

Directly manage, mentor, and develop two Help Desk Support Technicians and one Network Administrator, fostering a collaborative and service-oriented team culture.
Set team priorities, manage workloads, and conduct regular performance reviews aligned with company objectives.
Establish and maintain IT policies, procedures, documentation, and service level standards.
Serve as the primary internal point of contact and technical authority for all networking matters, working alongside multiple external networking vendors and support partners.
Design, implement, and maintain Cisco- and Meraki-based networking infrastructure across office and building environments.
Manage vendor relationships, service agreements, and escalations; evaluate vendor performance and ensure SLAs are met.
Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of a large-scale network upgrade project spanning Fisher Brothers' core NYC real estate portfolio, including project timelines, budgets, stakeholder communication, and vendor oversight.
Oversee (with Tech Management and vCISO) the organization's cybersecurity posture, serving as the internal subject matter expert and primary point of accountability for all security-related matters.
Develop, implement, and enforce IT security policies and standards covering endpoint protection, network security, email security, access controls, and data handling.
Conduct and oversee regular risk assessments, vulnerability scans, and penetration testing coordination; ensure timely remediation of identified issues.
Manage and monitor security tools including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, SIEM platforms, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
Lead incident response planning and execution; serve as the primary point of contact during security events and coordinate with external resources as needed.
Administer and enforce identity and access management controls, including least-privilege principles, role-based access, MFA, and privileged access management.
Oversee data backup, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity measures to ensure organizational resilience.
Manage and coordinate cybersecurity awareness training for all staff, promoting a culture of security consciousness across the organization.
Stay current with evolving threat landscapes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices; report cybersecurity risk posture to senior leadership.
Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Help Desk, ensuring prompt and high-quality support for approximately 80 office employees and hourly staff.
Provide senior-level escalation support for complex technical issues across desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and peripherals.
Manage and support all end-user hardware and software, including Windows desktop environments, printers, and A/V systems.
Administer and support time clock systems, ensuring seamless integration with HR and payroll workflows.
Administer and optimize the Microsoft 365 environment, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Intune/Endpoint Manager.
Manage SharePoint Online sites, permissions, document libraries, and intranet resources.
Oversee identity and access management via Azure Active Directory, including MFA, conditional access policies, and user lifecycle management.
Ensure licensing compliance and optimize Microsoft 365 subscription utilization.
Develop and manage the annual IT budget, including hardware, software, licensing, security tools, and vendor costs.
Present technology and cybersecurity recommendations and project proposals to senior leadership.
Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends relevant to real estate and property management environments.
Respond to time sensitive matters.
Demonstrate ART! (AREA15's service standards) in every guest interaction.
Adhere to department and company policies and procedures.
Maintain a professional, polished appearance in line with AREA15 standards.
Work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Perform other work-related duties as assigned.