Senior IT Manager

Role Overview

The Senior IT Manager holds complete responsibility for the entire IT operations within the organization. This role demands a highly hands-on leader tasked with overseeing all aspects of technology from routine daily needs to major strategic initiatives. The Senior IT Manager ensures the IT environment, including infrastructure, systems, cybersecurity, user support, procurement, vendor relations, compliance, and business continuity, is fully managed and optimized.

Key Responsibilities

• Assume full accountability for all company IT matters, acting as the sole point of responsibility.
• Manage all IT needs, from day-to-day operations to large-scale technology initiatives, ensuring timely completion of all tasks either directly or via external service providers.
• Identify and mitigate potential IT risks proactively to avoid impact on business functionality.
• Oversee the company’s IT infrastructure, including networks, connectivity, workplace technology, and ensure systems are properly set up, maintained, and upgraded.
• Plan and manage IT setups, expansions, relocations, and upgrades.
• Take ownership of hardware, software, and business systems lifecycle: from procurement through maintenance to replacement and disposal.
• Administer Microsoft 365 and other critical business applications, ensuring system security, licenses, and support are current and effective.
• Manage cybersecurity controls, monitor vulnerabilities, handle incidents, and lead education and awareness across the company.
• Maintain IT governance policies, ensure regulatory and compliance obligations are met, and support audits and reviews when required.
• Lead IT procurement and vendor management processes, including negotiations, contract handling, vendor evaluation, and service level management, ensuring cost-effectiveness and business alignment.
• Establish and regularly test business continuity plans, backup procedures, and disaster recovery strategies to secure critical data and systems.
• Provide effective IT support for employees, overseeing issue resolution, workplace technology readiness, and onboarding/offboarding processes related to IT.
• Manage IT budgeting, forecast future technology needs, monitor expenditures, and provide regular updates on significant IT risks and requirements to management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications in networking, cybersecurity, Microsoft technologies, or IT infrastructure are advantageous.
• Between 7 and 10 years of extensive hands-on IT experience, with a minimum of 3 years in senior IT management or leadership roles.
• Proven track record managing end-to-end IT environment functions for organizations.
• Strong expertise in IT infrastructure, networking, systems administration, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, and support services.
• Experience in IT procurement, vendor and contract management, licensing, and budget control.
• Familiarity with backup solutions, disaster recovery, IT governance, and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of business applications such as ERP, accounting, and HR systems.
• Experience supporting mid-size organizations of 50 to 150 employees is preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability for IT operations regardless of an issue's complexity.
• Highly practical, solution-focused, and hands-on approach to technical challenges.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-resolution abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking, Microsoft 365, and cybersecurity protocols.
• Ability to independently manage the entire IT function successfully.
• Proactive in risk identification and prevention of IT problems.
• Expertise in vendor management, procurement, and contract negotiations.
• Commercially savvy with competence in managing IT budgets and cost control.
• Strong organizational skills, effective documentation, and adept project management.
• Capable of prioritizing and managing multiple IT workloads simultaneously.
• Effective communicator skilled at collaborating with employees, management, and external vendors.
• Adheres to high standards of integrity, confidentiality, and reliability.