Manager of IT Operations

Manager of IT Operations Applause is raising the bar for digital quality and employee experience. Recognized as a Top Workplace, Applause provides award‑winning software testing and UX research solutions to top brands. Our fully managed services leverage a global team and the world’s largest independent testing community. We improve digital experiences for global innovators like Google, Microsoft, PayPal, Starbucks, Vodafone, and BMW. Reporting to the Senior Director of IT, the Manager of IT Operations is responsible for leading a high‑performing team of mid‑level engineers responsible for the reliability, security, and scalability of our core infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of Linux, including hybrid on‑prem / cloud environments. What You’ll Do Lead, mentor, and advocate for a team of 3 seasoned engineers in a mixed OS environment (Linux, Mac, Windows). Facilitate technical decision‑making and remove blockers to ensure consistent project delivery. Working with the Senior Director, drive the roadmap for automating server provisioning, configuration management, and deployment pipelines (utilizing tools such as Ansible, Terraform, and Jenkins). Serve as the final escalation point for complex Linux environment issues (Ubuntu/Debian), ensuring high availability and performance for mission‑critical services. Oversee the health of our Cisco‑based networking and Fortinet security perimeter. Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting. Work with, and serve as an escalation point for, other IT team members to ensure the smooth operation of the organization’s IT infrastructure. Manage vendor relationships as well as hardware and software lifecycles. Report / travel to offices when required for tasks (hybrid / majority remote). Participate in on‑call rotation. Other duties as assigned. Who You Are Experience: 5+ years in an IT Operations management role Expert‑level proficiency in Linux Administration (Kernel tuning, LVM, SSH, Systemd) Proficiency in Python or Bash for task automation and system integration Proven experience with Terraform and/or Ansible to manage infrastructure at scale Mastery of Git as the source of truth for infrastructure configurations Working knowledge of Cisco (switching) and Fortinet (firewall/VPN) Working knowledge of cloud environments (AWS, GCE) Skills: Excellent problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Strong attention to detail and organizational skills Knowledge of the following is a plus: AWS, VMWare ESXi, MySQL / MariaDB, IPSec VPN, SSL VPN, IDS, IPS, RADIUS, 802.1x, Cisco IOS, Cisco ASA, G Suite, Asterisk, SIP / RTP, BIND, ISC‑DHCPd, SailPoint IdentityIQ, Shibboleth IdP Why Applause? We have a flexible work environment with top talent from across the globe. Collaborate with an international team of 450+ passionate, talented co‑workers. Expand your portfolio with exciting, hands‑on projects providing exposure to well‑known, global brands. Learn and grow through structured onboarding, in‑house knowledge sessions and access to thousands of virtual courses available on demand. Incorporate AI and other exciting technologies into your work, to help you prioritize and boost productivity. Experience a supportive culture that emphasizes teamwork, innovation and transparency. Share your voice! Contribute and integrate creative and innovative ideas across roles and departments. Applause Core Values: Be Accountable: You love to take ownership, and hold yourself and others accountable to increase empowerment and success. Celebrate Authenticity: You love bringing your true self to work and creating genuine and trustful relationships within a diverse environment. In It Together: You have a team‑first mindset and love collaborating with your peers. Create Value for Our Customers: You love delivering meaningful business impact and being a release partner for all aspects of digital quality. Crush Your Goals: You always strive for excellence and constantly seek ways to be better, more effective and more efficient. Compensation The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $140,000. Accommodations Applause is a place where everyone belongs and where we believe everyone deserves the exceptional. We continue to celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable environment for our employees. If you believe you require a reasonable accommodation under any of the legally protected characteristics, please complete an accommodation request. Please note, Applause will only review requests for applications that have been submitted. We will review your qualifications and follow up with you regarding your request if your qualifications meet our current needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr