IT Manager

• Directly supervise, coordinate and evaluate the daily activities of the IT personnel.
• Establish clear performance expectations, goals and KPIs with each IT Team member and conduct regular Performance Assessments.
• Identify skill gaps within the team and coordinate targeted training, certifications and learning opportunities.
• Coach and mentor direct reports through complex technical challenges

• Own and lead NorthWind's cybersecurity strategy, establishing and maintaining comprehensive protocols for network access, monitoring, control, and threat response.
• Proactively defend organizational systems against cyberattacks, data breaches, unauthorized access, and emerging security threats.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review security policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current threat landscapes and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly test NorthWind's Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), ensuring the organization is prepared to restore critical systems and data in the event of a disruption, cyberattack, natural disaster, or other business continuity
• Safeguard confidential organizational information through rigorous access controls, monitoring, and incident response planning.
• Ensure the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of all hardware, server resources, systems, and critical processes through daily monitoring and proactive risk mitigation.

• Oversee daily system monitoring, including verification of hardware integrity, server resource availability, application logs, and scheduled job completion (e.g., backups and automated processes).
• Ensure the consistent execution of backup operations, confirming that all required file systems and data are successfully backed up to appropriate media, with off-site rotation maintained as required.
• Manage OS patching, system upgrades, and administrative tool updates on a regular and disciplined schedule.
• Administer user account lifecycle management — including creation, modification, and deactivation — in coordination with supervisory and Human Resources direction.
• Configure and deploy new services and system components as organizational needs evolve.
• Provide internal project teams with technical guidance and IT expertise to effectively address and communicate customer-facing IT-related project inquiries.

• Monitor, analyze, and tune network performance to maintain optimal operational standards.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues with urgency and precision, escalating to vendors when appropriate.
• Maintain and continuously improve network connectivity, firewall configurations, and access controls.

• Design and deliver training programs that equip users with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize organizational systems and technology.
• Lead periodic disaster recovery drills and tabletop exercises, documenting outcomes and driving continuous improvement of recovery procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of emerging technologies, industry trends, and professional best practices through ongoing education, professional publications, and active participation in professional organizations.

Success Metrics and KPIs: (In Order of Priority)

• Infrastructure Reliability — Maintain core system uptime at or above 5% , ensuring IT infrastructure is never a source of business disruption or operational risk. Uptime is actively monitored and reported on a regular cadence to leadership.
• Cybersecurity Posture — Ensure NorthWind's systems and data are protected through a current, tested security framework. A verified third-party security audit must be completed annually, with findings documented and a remediation plan executed.
• Disaster Recovery Readiness — Maintain and annually test a documented Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). Successful completion of a DRP test, with documented outcomes and improvement actions, is the measurable standard.
• Technology Roadmap — Develop and maintain a living 2–5-year technology roadmap that identifies where NorthWind's IT infrastructure and capabilities need to go, why, and at what priority. This roadmap is reviewed with leadership on a defined cadence and updated as the business evolves.
• Cross-Departmental Enablement — Actively identify and deliver technology improvements that help NorthWind's internal teams operate more effectively. Progress is measured through the annual IT Business Plan and validated through a periodic internal survey of department stakeholders, assessing whether IT is enabling or impeding team performance. Consistent positive feedback and demonstrated delivery of departmental initiatives are the standard.

*This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

may change at any time with or without notice. *

• Advanced expertise in network architecture, design, and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of server infrastructure design, administration, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated understanding of cybersecurity principles, frameworks, and best practices.
• Proven ability to develop and execute IT strategy in alignment with organizational goals.
• Ability to adapt effectively in a dynamic and evolving technology environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• A minimum of a 2-year degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a closely related field, plus six (6) years of relevant professional experience.

• A 4-year Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, plus four (4) years of relevant professional experience.

• Industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or equivalent are strongly preferred.
• Experience leading IT teams or managing enterprise-level infrastructure projects.

• Ability to build effective relationships that are focused on integrity and trust.
• An attitude of dedication to achieve professional success.
• A focus on serving internal and external customers with respect, understanding, and empathy.
• Ability and willingness to recognize the intrinsic value of every person.
• Drive and curiosity to explore new technology and innovation for continued growth and improvement.

• May require occasional evening and weekend hours, sometimes with limited advance notice.
• Limited travel requirements; a valid driver's license is required.
• Physical demands include, but are not limited to, climbing and occasionally exerting up to 50 pounds of force.