IT Manager

Kraken Kinetics•Pinehurst, NC

11d•$140,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Kraken Kinetics is seeking an IT Manager to lead its IT function and establish the policies, procedures, priorities, and plans that support the company’s business direction. The company is a rapidly growing defense manufacturer operating in a Microsoft 365 GCC High environment. The IT Manager will develop the IT operating model, own the IT roadmap and budget, and lead a team consisting of a Systems Administrator and an IT Support Specialist. This is a leadership and governance role rather than a hands-on administration position. The Systems Administrator handles day-to-day infrastructure and systems work, the IT Support Specialist handles Tier 1–2 support, and the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst lead cybersecurity strategy and CMMC/NIST compliance. The IT Manager ensures work across these areas is prioritized, documented, and aligned. Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, serving the United States Armed Forces and its allies. The company is based in Moore County, North Carolina, in the Pinehurst area, and is committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive IT experience, including at least 2 years leading an IT team or serving as an organization’s lead IT resource.
Demonstrated experience writing and implementing IT policies, standards, and procedures, ideally in an organization where few or none were in place.
Experience supervising and developing technical staff.
Experience building and managing IT budgets, vendors, and contracts.
Broad technical background across Microsoft 365, Entra ID (Azure AD), Intune, Windows Server, and networking sufficient to direct and evaluate a Systems Administrator’s work.
Experience planning and managing IT projects from start to finish.
Strong written communication skills and ability to explain technical topics to leadership and non-technical employees.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft 365 GCC or GCC High.
Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or defense industrial base (DIB) environment.
Familiarity with NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, or ITAR requirements and how they translate into IT policy.
Experience leading an ERP, MRP, or IMS selection or implementation.
Certifications such as ITIL Foundation, PMP, CompTIA Security+, or Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert.
Experience building an IT function at a small or growing company.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
U.S. citizenship may be required to access certain systems and data.

Responsibilities

Develop, document, and maintain foundational IT policies, coordinating security-related policies with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager.
Own the IT standard operating procedure library, assigning drafts to the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist and approving final versions.
Define the IT service model, including support tiers, escalation paths, ticket priorities, and service-level targets.
Establish approval processes for IT purchases, new software, system changes, and policy exceptions.
Review and update policies at least annually and when business, contract, or regulatory requirements change.
Build and maintain a multi-year IT roadmap aligned with company growth, contract requirements, and leadership priorities.
Approve infrastructure standards and major architecture decisions proposed by the Systems Administrator, including the design and rollout of the on-premises server environment.
Lead IT planning for enterprise systems such as ERP, MRP, and IMS with business stakeholders, from selection through integration.
Serve as IT’s point of contact for company leadership and department heads, translating business needs into projects and priorities.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Systems Administrator and IT Support Specialist.
Set team priorities and manage the IT project and request backlog so above-tier work does not land on the help desk.
Resolve priority conflicts, cross-department requests, and non-technical escalations so the team can focus on technical work.
Plan IT staffing as the company grows, including decisions about hiring and contractor use.
Partner with the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager and Analyst to ensure IT policies, procedures, and projects support security requirements.
Coordinate IT’s role in readiness for future handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, as directed by compliance leadership.
Ensure the IT team produces documentation and evidence needed for audits and assessments.
Develop and manage the annual IT budget, including hardware refresh cycles, software licensing, and infrastructure projects.
Own relationships and contracts with IT vendors, internet and telecom providers, and software publishers; coordinate with the MSCP alongside the Cybersecurity & Compliance Manager.
Oversee license, contract, and renewal tracking using the asset registry maintained by the Systems Administrator.
Evaluate and recommend technology that supports Kraken’s business goals.