IT Manager

IT ManagerDenver, ColoradoWho We Are:We're a high-growth software company with a big mission: empowering K-12 district teams to do more with less.At LINQ, we get K12. That's why we help districts transform K-12 school operations with best-in-class, cloud-based software solutions built to help districts return more resources to classrooms. Integrating finance, HR, nutrition management, and payments into a single, secure platform, LINQ reduces administrative burden. LINQ is trusted by 30% of school districts across the U.S. to help them operate more efficiently and serve over 1 billion meals to 17 million students annually, process payroll for 364,000 educators, administrators, and staff, and engage with millions of families through the free LINQ Connect app.Our team? They're talented, committed, and fiercely loyal problem-solvers. At LINQ, you'll find challenging and meaningful work, a team that respects and uplifts one another, and a commitment to constant improvement. Our customers love us because we're attentive, patient, communicative, and solutions focused. They know they can count on us to not only anticipate their needs but to deliver the right answer every time.LINQ's Values:• Act with Integrity & Build Trust: Trust is the foundation of our company. We operate with the highest standards of integrity, both internally and externally. We believe in transparency, honesty, and accountability. Building a culture where trust is earned and maintained.• Deliver Excellence: We consistently exceed our clients' expectations. In every interaction, we strive to anticipate needs, provide swift solutions, and go the extra mile to relentlessly impress our customers. We communicate clearly, consistently, and in a timely way to cultivate lasting relationships.• Embrace Challenges: We embrace a growth mindset. Challenges offer opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. Continuous learning keeps us relevant and effective to ensure our solutions remain on the leading edge of innovation.• Collaborate & Act as One Team: Diverse skills, ideas, and perspectives are our strength. Through open communication, shared goals, and a spirit of unity and mutual respect, we collaborate to achieve excellence, drive innovation, and propel our company forward as a cohesive force.About The Team:The IT Operations team is the backbone of LINQ's employee experience; keeping our people connected, productive, and secure regardless of where they work. Managing identity, devices, and collaboration tooling across a fully remote workforce; the team operates as a trusted internal partner to every department at LINQ. With employees distributed across the country, the team balances the rigor of enterprise IT with the flexibility and service mindset that a remote-first culture demands.About The Role:We are seeking a Manager of IT Operations to lead LINQ's internal IT function. This role owns the end-to-end employee technology experience; from onboarding and offboarding to identity management, device management, and cloud collaboration tooling. You will lead a team of IT professionals, set operational standards, and serve as the escalation point for complex technical issues across a fully remote workforce. This is a hands-on leadership role on a fully remote team.Primary Objectives:Own and operate LINQ's Microsoft 365 and Azure environment, including Exchange Online, Entra ID, Intune, and related services.Lead, develop, and support a team of IT professionals responsible for employee-facing technology.Ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of internal IT infrastructure and tooling across a fully remote workforce.Partner with Security, HR, and department leaders to maintain a productive, compliant, and well-supported employee experience.What You Will Be Doing:Identity & Access ManagementAdminister and govern Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), including user provisioning, group management, conditional access policies, and SSO integrations.Own the joiner/mover/leaver process in partnership with HR, ensuring timely and accurate onboarding, offboarding, and role transitions.Manage privileged access and enforce least-privilege principles across the organization.Endpoint & Device ManagementOversee Microsoft Intune-based MDM/MAM policies for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices across a fully remote workforce.Maintain device compliance standards, software deployment, and patch management cadences.Manage hardware procurement, asset inventory, and device lifecycle from provisioning through decommission.Collaboration & ProductivityManage Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.Own licensing, tenant configuration, and governance policies for the M365 environment.Support audio/visual and conference room technology at LINQ office locations.IT Operations & SupportLead and develop a team of IT professionals, setting priorities, managing workloads, and fostering a culture of service excellence.Own the IT helpdesk function; ticket management, SLAs, escalation paths, and continuous improvement.Develop and maintain IT runbooks, standard operating procedures, and asset documentation.Manage IT vendor relationships, contract renewals, and the IT operating budget.Security & ComplianceCollaborate with the Security team to enforce endpoint security standards, respond to IT-related security incidents, and maintain compliance with audit and regulatory requirements.Contribute to IT risk management, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity procedures.What We Are Looking For:Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).5+ years of experience in IT operations or systems administration, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.Strong hands-on expertise with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, particularly Entra ID (Azure AD), Exchange Online, Intune, Teams, and SharePoint.Demonstrated experience managing IT for a fully remote or distributed workforce.Solid understanding of identity and access management concepts, including SSO, MFA, conditional access, and automated joiner/mover/leaver provisioning.Experience with endpoint management platforms (Intune, JAMF, or similar) and patch management workflows.Working knowledge of IT security best practices, including zero-trust principles and endpoint compliance.Strong communication skills; able to translate technical issues into clear guidance for non-technical stakeholders.Proven ability to manage and prioritize a team's workload in a fast-paced, growth-stage environment.Experience managing IT vendors, software contracts, and an operating budget.Must be able to work effectively in a fully remote environment, with a reliable home workspace and occasional travel for team or company events.What will Make You Stand Out:Microsoft certifications (e.g., MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator, AZ-104: Azure Administrator, SC-300: Identity and Access Administrator).Experience with ITSM platforms (e.g., Jira Service Management, ServiceNow, or similar).Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture and implementation in a Microsoft environment.Experience supporting rapid headcount growth or M&A-related IT onboarding and integration.Background in K-12 EdTech or SaaS environments.The Tech:Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive)Microsoft IntuneMicrosoft Azure (core infrastructure services)ITSM / helpdesk platform (e.g., Jira Service Management, ServiceNow, or similar)Endpoint management (Windows, macOS, mobile)Travel Requirements:Occasional travel (a few times per year) for team meetings, company events, or office support as needed.Compensation:We offer a competitive salary of $120,000-$140,000 + 8% bonus.Why You'll Love Working With Us:Planning Your Future: Our 401(k) plan comes with a 4% employer match on