Enterprise Program Manager - Project Lead - Interim Assistant IT Director

Company / Department Culture:
The IT Division is a small, collaborative team working in a modern, largely cloud-based environment. Infrastructure is delivered through a managed service partner, allowing this role to focus on engaged oversight, strategy, security, service delivery, project management, and vendor performance/accountability. The IT team focuses on delivering consistent, high-touch experience to every user, from front-line staff to executive leadership.

The Assistant IT Director is a member of the IT Leadership team and the agency’s Information Security Team, with direct exposure to senior and executive staff. This position will be delegated both leadership and tactical responsibilities – all leadership roles are considered working managers with the willingness to roll up their sleeves and tackle any challenge.

This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with a clear path to a full-time (FTE) state position, including full state benefits (retirement, health insurance, and paid state holidays). This is a 5 days onsite role with a downtown Columbia, SC location.

Scope of the Project:
Contract-to-hire placement of a senior IT leader to serve as second-in-command of the Agency's IT Division, with intent to convert to a full-time state position upon successful completion of the contract period. This role will oversee IT operations in coordination with the IT Operations Manager, who will report to this position and manage daily operations; oversee managed-service and shared-services vendor relationships; and support the agency’s cybersecurity and compliance programs in a regulated financial environment.

Daily Duties / Responsibilities:

• Oversee infrastructure, business application, and help desk services delivered by internal staff and managed service providers, holding vendors to performance and accountability standards.
• Serve as primary operations liaison to statewide shared-services providers.
• Participate in the agency’s Information Security Team, including incident response, vulnerability management, risk assessments, and remediation.
• Support access control reviews, audits, and policy compliance.
• Oversee enterprise system integrations with the State’s SAP environment, financial institutions, and third-party systems.
• Track contract renewals, assist with procurement and budget monitoring, annual audit and reporting, and contribute to long-range technology planning.
• Supervise, develop, and direct IT staff as a member of the IT Division leadership team.
• Monitor and perform occasional rotating after-hours work to address incidents, support system maintenance, and meet deadlines.

Required Skills (Rank in Order of Importance):

• 6+ years of progressive IT experience managing complex information technology functions
• 3+ years of full-time supervisory experience in an IT environment
• Experience managing IT services delivered through managed service providers or outsourced vendors, including SLA and performance management
• Leadership experience in cybersecurity operations: incident response, vulnerability management, and risk assessment
• Working knowledge of Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and Intune

Preferred Skills (Rank in Order of Importance):

• IT experience in state government, financial services, or other regulated environments, including audit, compliance, and risk management
• Experience working within shared-services models in state government
• Project management experience
• Enterprise system and integration experience (SAP, financial institution interfaces, secure file transfer)
• IT procurement, contract management, and budget experience

Additional Skills:

• Highly effective written and verbal communication; proven ability to build and foster a team-oriented environment; sound judgment and discretion with sensitive information; ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines; availability for occasional after-hours work.
• Candidates must be able to pass a background and credit check prior to start.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, and to bend, reach, and work under desks and in equipment areas as needed for hardware support.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.

Required Certifications:

• None required.

Preferred Certifications:

• CISSP
• CISM
• CompTIA Security+
• ITIL
• PMP

Interview Process:

1. Virtual Interview
2. Onsite Interview
3. Work sample – guided situation-based questionnaire
4. Final Onsite Interview with Senior Leadership