Director, IT

SUMMARY: The Director of IT is responsible for overseeing the management of all day-to-day Information Technology functions, supporting multiple offices throughout California and in New Mexico. The Director of IT will establish his/her department’s team goals, direct overall policies, develop and implement technology strategies to lead an IT function capable of supporting COL’s business objectives. Priorities include balancing users’ and systems’ support needs with a lean, cost-efficient approach. Efficient project management, team leadership, and the ability to see low-level needs in a big-picture context are also required.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary duties.

• Understand business needs and priorities, recommend and implement solutions and stay abreast of current technologies.
• Directs the activities necessary to keep the overall technology infrastructure running seamlessly, efficiently, and effectively while ensuring compliance with established standards and policies.
• Manage and upkeep systems, as well as recommend new technology where appropriate.
• Direct all IT operations to support staff requirements.
• Implement an IT ticketing system to help support the needs of 180 end users across multiple locations.
• Build and establish relationships with staff and outside vendors.
• Report on department budget, project completions, and other indicators to CEO.
• Identify, recommend, develop, implement and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization.
• Achieves financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective action.
• Develop IT policies and procedures for the Company.
• Develop or Implement IT security training.
• Leads & directs the work of other Information Technology staff.
• Travel to different warehouse locations throughout California and New Mexico to setup IT at new warehouses or for IT upgrade / maintenance cycles at existing warehouse locations. Travel estimated to be 10-25% in first year, lower in years to follow as consistent IT network established across all Company locations.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, skills and/or abilities required. An individual must meet the minimum requirements as listed in each Qualifications subsection.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor degree in technical field; preferably in Computer Science, Information Systems or related fields.
• Technical training and technical course in Information Technology is highly desirable.
• 10+ years of related work experience.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills including, but not limited to, the ability to listen effectively, relate complex information, and solicit input from others. Requires the ability to effectively communicate in stressful situations.
• Multilingual (Spanish).
• Excellent organizational skills including, but not limited to, the ability to handle multiple demands and assignments, and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and efficiently.

Preferred Technical Skills:

• Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Server 2012 - 2019
• Microsoft Active Directory
• Experience installing and deploying Microsoft Windows desktop and laptop PCs
• Experience managing SolarWinds Backup or equivalent
• Experience managing Windows domain services
• Experience utilizing a Help desk ticketing system
• Experience utilizing a software patching system
• Network segmentation
• Experience with Ubiquiti firewalls or equivalent
• Experience with Anti-virus and patching
• Experience with Network tools
• Knowledge of Cloud computing
• Telecom experience
• Information security experience

“Nice-to-Have” Technical Skills:

• Business Intelligence tool integration and maintenance
• ML / AI integration experience
• Access Control integration with Microsoft Active Directory

Salary Range is $135-150k DOE

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity (LGBTIQA), or any other characteristic protected by law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is generally sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some movement from area to area, transporting of items such as a laptop computer, printers, servers, paper, books, and small parts; driving an automobile, etc. The ability to infrequently lift 50 pounds is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : While performing the primary duties of the job, the employee is regularly exposed to general office environment, including but not limited to supporting users in all areas of the company. The position will be based primarily out of the San Diego location with regular travel to multiple offices throughout California and in New Mexico. It is possible the employee could be based out of another California location with the understanding it will be necessary to spend more time in San Diego in the near-term to get acclimated to the role. Work outside normal business hours is required from time to time.