IT Operations & Security Lead

DataKind

1d • $98,000 - $109,000 • Remote

About The Position

DataKind is seeking a hands-on IT Operations & Security Lead to own day-to-day IT operations for its team and serve as a key partner to the Compliance & Security Director in maintaining the organization’s SOC 2 program. The role combines practical IT support, such as setting up employee laptops, with security and compliance work, including preparing audit evidence. The position is remote and can be based anywhere in the U.S. The majority of working hours each day must fall between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Approximately 60% of the role focuses on IT operations: managing employee devices throughout their lifecycle, administering Google Workspace and other SaaS applications, managing accounts and access, maintaining endpoints through MDM, providing helpdesk support, and managing IT vendors, licenses, and budget. The remaining approximately 40% supports security and compliance, including maintaining audit-ready evidence, supporting audits and assessments, coordinating vulnerability and compliance gap reduction, maintaining IT policies and procedures, assisting with incident response, and using AI tools and automation to improve security processes.

Requirements

• Deep alignment with DataKind’s mission and values, and demonstrated commitment to educational equity and data-driven social impact.
• At least 5 years of experience in IT operations or systems administration, including at least 2 years owning IT for an organization or office.
• Direct experience supporting a SOC 2 audit, or an ISO 27001 or similar audit, including evidence collection and operating controls.
• Strong working knowledge of Windows and macOS operating systems, identity and access management platforms, MDM, and SaaS administration.
• Clear, patient communication with non-technical colleagues.
• Judgment to prioritize between urgent helpdesk tickets and compliance deadlines, and communicate when both cannot be handled at once.
• Experience creating documentation and standard operating procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of Linux.
• Hands-on experience with GRC tools.
• Certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Google Workspace Administrator, or Microsoft 365 Administrator.
• Experience with HRIS-to-IdP integrations for automated provisioning.
• Experience building processes from scratch in a small or growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Own the employee device lifecycle, including procurement, setup, onboarding and offboarding, inventory, and retirement.
• Administer Google Workspace and other SaaS applications.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls.
• Manage endpoints through MDM, including patching, encryption, and configuration standards.
• Provide responsive helpdesk support and create self-service documentation for common issues.
• Manage IT vendors, licenses, and the IT budget, and identify renewal and cost decisions early.
• Assist with testing and evaluation of technology services and applications.
• Support process improvements and operational enhancements.
• Partner with the Director of Security and Compliance to maintain organized, audit-ready compliance evidence.
• Support cybersecurity audits and assessments.
• Collaborate with system owners to reduce vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.
• Maintain IT policies and procedures and ensure they reflect how the team works.
• Support security incident response by triaging alerts, escalating appropriately, and documenting outcomes.
• Use AI tools and automation to improve security monitoring, third-party risk management, and incident response.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements, shared time off, organization-wide recharge days, bi-weekly meeting-free days, and flexible PTO, with a minimum of 20 vacation days encouraged annually.
• 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees, and 72% coverage for dependents.
• Wellness reimbursement program.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Annual professional development funding, mentorship, and advancement opportunities.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer matching.
• Opportunities to meet in person for conferences, strategic planning, and an annual staff retreat.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed