Manager, Security & IT

Knak•Ottawa, ON

About The Position

Knak is seeking a Manager, Security & IT to lead the company's security and compliance programs while overseeing internal IT operations and support. This role is primarily focused on security and compliance leadership, serving as the subject matter expert on security frameworks, governance, risk management, and organizational security practices. The position also manages the operational IT function, ensuring employees have a secure and reliable technology experience through oversight of priorities, workflows, vendors, and team support. The ideal candidate will possess strong judgment, prioritization skills, the ability to drive accountability, improve processes, and collaborate cross-functionally to scale secure operations. This role acts as a bridge between security, compliance, and day-to-day IT operations.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience in security, compliance, governance, risk management, or related operational leadership roles
Strong understanding of SOC 2 security and compliance framework.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and driving accountability across teams
Previous people management or team leadership experience
Ability to manage operational priorities and coordinate IT support functions effectively
Familiarity with modern workplace technologies and SaaS platforms such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Okta, Slack, and Zoom
Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
A practical, solutions-oriented approach to balancing security, risk, and business needs
Experience working in SaaS, technology, or high-growth environments

Nice To Haves

Security certifications such as CISA, CISM, Security+, or similar
Experience supporting SOC 2 or ISO27001 audits
Familiarity with endpoint management, identity and access management, or IT operations workflows
Experience working with external IT vendors or managed service providers
Exposure to scripting or automation tools such as PowerShell or Bash

Responsibilities

Lead and evolve Knak’s security and compliance programs across the organization
Own security frameworks and compliance initiatives including SOC 2 and ISO27001
Oversee continuous control monitoring, remediation tracking, audit readiness, and compliance reporting
Partner with internal stakeholders and external auditors to support successful audits and ongoing compliance efforts
Develop and maintain security policies, standards, procedures, and internal documentation
Monitor organizational security risks and provide visibility and recommendations to leadership
Support Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) initiatives and ongoing program improvements
Build security awareness across the company through training, education, and communication
Partner with teams across Engineering, Product, Operations, and Leadership to promote secure practices
Help drive behavior change and accountability around security and compliance responsibilities
Act as a trusted advisor on security best practices and operational risk
Manage and prioritize the day-to-day IT support function and employee technology experience
Lead and support the IT function, providing direction, prioritization, and coaching
Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, access management, hardware provisioning, and SaaS administration
Ensure reliable operation of internal systems, collaboration tools, and core business applications
Partner with external vendors and managed service providers to support infrastructure, endpoint management, and operational needs
Help improve IT processes, documentation, and operational scalability as the company grows
Balance security best practices with employee productivity and usability