Director of Information Technology

POSITION SUMMARY

The IT Director is responsible for leading the organization's overall information technology strategy, infrastructure, systems, and cybersecurity. This position partners with executive and senior leadership to align initiatives with the firm's business objectives, operational needs, and long-term growth.

The IT Director oversees the IT team and provides strategic and operational leadership for the firm's infrastructure, networks, hardware, software applications, cloud services, cybersecurity, data management, and technology support.

The role is responsible for ensuring that technology systems are secure, reliable, scalable, cost-effective, and capable of supporting the unique needs of an architecture and design organization.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

IT Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategy aligned with the firm's short- and long-term business objectives.
• Partner with executive leadership and department leaders to identify technology needs, opportunities, risks, and priorities.
• Maintain an IT roadmap that supports business growth, operational efficiency.
• Ensure IT policies, procedures, standards, and governance practices are followed.
• Lead, develop, and manage the IT team, including setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, and supporting professional development.
• Maintain service standards and accountability for IT support and service delivery.

Infrastructure & Technology Operations

• Oversee the firm's IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud environments, telecommunications, workstations, mobile devices, and other technology systems.
• Ensure the availability, reliability, scalability, and performance of critical IT systems.
• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, upgrades, and lifecycle management of hardware and technology infrastructure.
• Maintain standards for technology configuration, deployment, maintenance, and replacement.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve system performance, reliability, security, and operational efficiency.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain an organization-wide cybersecurity strategy.
• Establish and enforce security policies, procedures, and controls.
• Oversee endpoint security, network security, access controls, authentication, and data protection.
• Manage user access, permissions, and security protocols based on business requirements and appropriate levels of access.
• Monitor and respond to cybersecurity threats, incidents, vulnerabilities, and risks.
• Coordinate security assessments, audits, and remediation efforts as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate procedures for incident response and escalation.

Data, Systems & Integration

• Oversee the security, availability, integrity, and appropriate use of company data.
• Partner with Finance, HR, Operations, Project Management, and other departments to support business systems and technology integrations.
• Evaluate and oversee integrations between business applications and systems.
• Maintain appropriate data backup, retention, recovery, and access practices.
• Support data reporting, analytics, and business intelligence initiatives as appropriate.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

• Develop and maintain IT disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensure critical systems and data are appropriately backed up and recoverable.
• Establish recovery priorities and procedures for significant technology disruptions.
• Conduct periodic testing and review of disaster recovery processes.
• Coordinate IT response to outages, security incidents, and other technology-related disruptions.

Budget, Vendors & Procurement

• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual IT budget.
• Forecast technology expenses and future capital requirements.
• Evaluate and negotiate technology products, services, software, licensing, and vendor agreements.
• Manage relationships with third-party IT providers, consultants, software vendors, and technology partners.
• Establish appropriate vendor performance expectations and service-level requirements.
• Ensure technology purchases are aligned with business needs, security requirements, compatibility, and budget.
• Maintain an effective software and licensing management process.

IT Support & Service Management

• Oversee the delivery of responsive, professional, and consistent IT support throughout the organization.
• Coordinate processes for managing service requests, incidents, system issues, and escalations.
• Monitor IT service performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate technology training and support.
• Develop procedures to improve user experience and reduce recurring technology issues.

Compliance & Policies

• Ensure IT practices appropriately support applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.
• Maintain IT policies relating to acceptable use, cybersecurity, access management, data protection, technology procurement, and other applicable areas.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of systems, processes, vendors, and technology standards.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree Information Systems, Information Technology, or a related field preferred or equivalent experience in the Information Technology field and or architecture field.
• 8+ years of progressive IT experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading an IT team or department.
• Experience developing and implementing IT strategies and technology roadmaps.
• Experience managing IT infrastructure, networks, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and business applications.
• Ability to travel to off-site locations in and out of state.
• Experience with IT budgeting, vendor management, technology procurement, and contract management.
• Experience managing technology in a professional services, architecture, engineering, construction, or similar project-based environment strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting architecture, design, CAD/BIM, rendering, project management, or other design-industry technology preferred.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, data protection, access management, backup/recovery, and disaster recovery.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership and department leaders.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and competing business needs.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.

Demonstrated ability to evaluate technology based on business value, security, scalability, compatibility, and cost.