IT Lead

We are seeking a seasoned and proactive IT Lead to oversee and enhance our organization’s IT infrastructure, security posture, and end-user computing environment. This leadership role demands deep technical expertise across networking, device management, server architecture, and cybersecurity, along with a proven track record in leading and mentoring IT support and infrastructure teams.

You will be responsible for planning, implementing, optimizing, and maintaining all aspects of IT infrastructure and services while also managing a team of 5–8 IT professionals. Your mission is to ensure a reliable, secure, and scalable technology environment that aligns with business goals.

Key Responsibilities
Infrastructure & Network Management
Design, deploy, and manage network infrastructure, including LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, firewalls, switches, and routers.
Ensure high availability and performance of on-premises and cloud-hosted infrastructure.
Proactively monitor and remediate performance issues or risks in network and server environments.

Security Oversight
Define and implement best-in-class cybersecurity practices, including endpoint protection, patching strategies, firewalls, VPNs, and access control.
Conduct vulnerability assessments and initiate remediation processes for security gaps.
Ensure compliance with data protection standards (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC2).

Asset & Device Management
Oversee lifecycle management of IT assets: procurement, deployment, monitoring, and decommissioning.
Implement and manage MDM/EMM solutions to secure and control endpoints (laptops, mobile devices).
Enforce standardization of operating environments and configurations across the organization.

Server & Systems Administration
Manage physical and virtualized servers (Windows/Linux) and cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
Administer AD, DNS, DHCP, backup systems, and centralized authentication (SSO, LDAP).
Implement and optimize automation for server and application deployment.

Team Leadership & Collaboration
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5–8 IT engineers and support specialists.
Define and track KPIs and SLAs for support and operational excellence.
Collaborate with business units and leadership to align IT strategy with organizational goals.

IT Governance & Operational Excellence
Develop IT policies, SOPs, and disaster recovery plans.
Manage service desk operations ensuring timely resolution of IT incidents and requests.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, vendor evaluations, and tool rationalization.

Skills:
Technical Proficiency
7+ years of experience in IT infrastructure and network administration, with 2+ years in a leadership capacity.
Strong expertise in managing firewalls (e.g., Fortinet, Palo Alto), VPNs, and network security tools.
Experience with Windows/Linux servers, Active Directory, Office 365, Exchange, and Azure AD.
Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, virtual environments (e.g., VMware/Hyper-V), and automation tools.
Proficient in IT asset management systems, ticketing platforms, and monitoring tools.

Leadership & Communication
Demonstrated ability to lead and scale technical teams.
Excellent stakeholder management, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.
Strong problem-solving, crisis response, and strategic planning capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Certifications such as CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or CISSP.
Experience working in regulated industries or with compliance requirements.
Knowledge of DevSecOps and integrating security into CI/CD pipelines.