Director of Information Technology

Director of Information TechnologyFlying Horse Capital | Dallas, TX (Remote U.S. considered) | Full-TimeAll potential applicants are encouraged to scroll through and read the complete job description before applying.About Flying Horse CapitalFlying Horse Capital is a Dallas-based permanent capital firm that acquires and holds founder- and family-owned lower-middle-market businesses. Unlike traditional private equity, we have no exit timeline. We buy good companies from owners who care about what happens after they sell, preserve the legacy they built, and invest in the people, processes, and systems that allow those businesses to thrive for decades.Our portfolio currently includes two operating companies, with a third acquisition under LOI. We expect to continue acquiring businesses over the coming years, and we are building the shared infrastructure needed to support that growth.The OpportunityEvery company we have acquired, and the one we are acquiring now, came to us without a true in-house IT function. Historically, IT was handled by outside providers, a part-time vendor, or whoever in the office "knew computers." Systems were often outdated, undocumented, and built up piecemeal over many years.Since acquiring our first two businesses, we have upgraded their core systems and engaged an outsourced partner for support. That approach has served us well at our current size. As we grow, we are bringing the function in-house.You will be Flying Horse Capital's first true IT hire. You will own technology across the entire portfolio, support our companies directly, and build a shared-service IT function that serves every business we own today and every business we acquire in the future.This is a hands-on role. You will set strategy, and you will also configure the firewall, onboard the new hire's laptop, and sit with the office manager to walk through a new system. We need a builder and a doer who is energized by starting from zero.What Makes This Role DifferentYou are building, not inheriting. There is no existing IT department, playbook, or team. You will design the function, the standards, and the operating model.You will work across multiple companies. Each portfolio company has its own culture, history, and technology environment. You will bring consistency without losing sight of what each business needs.Budgets are real. Our companies are lower-middle-market businesses. Every dollar matters, and every investment must earn its place. We need someone who knows how to get the most out of limited resources.Change management is half the job. Many employees have used the same systems and processes for years. Success depends on earning trust and bringing people along, not simply deploying technology.The horizon is long. We are not building for a three-to-five-year exit. We want someone who will help build this with us for the next 10 to 20 years.Key ResponsibilitiesIT Strategy and Shared-Service BuildDevelop and execute a multi-year IT strategy for Flying Horse Capital and its portfolio companiesDesign a shared-service IT operating model that scales efficiently as we add companiesDefine portfolio-wide technology standards for hardware, software, security, and supportDetermine which services should be in-house, shared across companies, or outsourced, and build the roadmap to get thereBuild the IT function over time, including future hiring, as the portfolio growsServe as the primary technology advisor to FHC leadership and portfolio company CEOs and CFOsInfrastructure and OperationsOwn networks, servers, cloud environments, endpoints, telecom, printers, and connectivity across all company sitesManage Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace environments, including email, file storage, collaboration, and licensingImplement and maintain identity and access management, including single sign-on and multi-factor authenticationEstablish reliable backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans for each companyStandardize device procurement, deployment, and lifecycle managementCreate and maintain documentation for systems, configurations, network diagrams, and procedures, often for the first timeCybersecurity and Risk ManagementAssess each company's security posture and close the most critical gaps firstImplement foundational controls: MFA, endpoint protection, patch management, email filtering, and access reviewsDevelop IT policies covering acceptable use, access, data retention, and incident responseLead security awareness training for employees across the portfolioCoordinate with insurance carriers on cyber insurance requirements and renewalsSupport compliance requirements specific to individual portfolio companies as neededBusiness Systems and ApplicationsEvaluate, select, and implement business systems including ERP, accounting, CRM, field service, inventory, and HR/payroll platformsPartner with finance teams on system implementations, data migration, and reportingIdentify opportunities to consolidate or standardize applications across companies where it makes senseManage integrations between systems and reduce manual workaroundsEvaluate practical applications of automation and AI tools that improve productivity without adding unnecessary complexityM&A Technology Diligence and IntegrationConduct IT due diligence on acquisition targets, identifying risks, required investments, and integration costsBuild and refine a repeatable IT integration playbook for newly acquired companiesLead Day 1 readiness and post-close technology onboarding, including account migration, security hardening, and vendor transitionAssess inherited vendors, contracts, and licenses at each new company and rationalize where appropriateLead the IT integration of our third acquisition as an early priorityVendor, Contract, and Budget ManagementManage current outsourced IT providers and lead the transition of services in-house over timeNegotiate and manage contracts with software, hardware, telecom, and managed service vendorsDevelop and own IT budgets for each portfolio company and for the shared-service functionTrack IT spend, identify savings, and eliminate redundant or underused tools and subscriptionsPresent investment recommendations with clear costs, benefits, and prioritiesEnd-User SupportProvide hands-on support to employees across all companies, both remotely and on siteEstablish a help desk process, ticketing system, and service expectationsManage onboarding and offboarding of employees, including accounts, devices, and accessBuild self-service resources and train employees to use their tools effectivelyLeadership and Change ManagementBuild trust with owners, operators, and employees who may be skeptical of changeCommunicate technology decisions in plain business termsPlan and lead implementations with realistic timelines, training, and supportRespect each company's culture and history while raising the standard over timeYour First YearFirst 90 DaysMeet leadership and key employees at each portfolio company and at FHCComplete an IT assessment of each company covering infrastructure, security, systems, vendors, contracts, and spendIdentify and address the highest-priority security and operational risksTake ownership of the relationship with our outsourced IT providerBegin IT diligence and integration planning for our third acquisitionFirst YearDeliver a portfolio-wide IT strategy and shared-service roadmapEstablish baseline security standards across all companiesComplete technology integration of the third acquisitionStand up a help desk process and consistent support modelDocument systems and environments for every companyDeliver a repeatable IT diligence and integration playbook for future acquisitionsLonger TermOperate a mature shared-service IT function supporting a growing portfolioReduce dependence on outside providers where it creates valueHire and develop additional IT team members as the portfolio growsMake technology a competitive advantage for our companies and a reason sellers choose Flying Horse CapitalQualificationsRequired8+ years of progressive IT experience, including leading the IT function for one or more small to mid-sized businessesProven hands-on technical skills across networking, infrastructure, cloud, endpoints, and securityTrack record implementing new systems in organizations with limited or no prior IT structureExperience working within constrained budgets and delivering practical, cost-effective solutionsExperience managing managed service providers and technology vendorsStrong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and/or Google Workspace, Active Directory or Entra ID, and cloud platformsExcellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiencesWillingness to travel to Dallas HQ and portfolio company sitesPreferredExperience in private equity, family office, holding company, or multi-entity environmentsExperience leading IT due diligence and post-acquisition integrationERP selection and implementation experienceBackground in industries such as industrial services, manufacturing, distribution, construction, or home servicesRelevant certifications such as CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, ITIL, CISSP, or Security+Experience building an IT function from the ground upWho You AreA builder. You see a blank page as an opportunity, not a problem.A doer. You are comfortable rolling up your sleeves and fixing things yourself.Resourceful. You know how to solve problems without an unlimited budget.Patient and persuasive. You understand that people adopt change when they trust the person leading it.Organized. You bring structure, documentation, and discipline to messy environments.Humble and accountable. You own outcomes and put the business ahead of ego.Long-term minded. You want to build something lasting and grow with it.Location and TravelWe will consider the best candidates anywhere in the United States. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin metro areas. This role requires regular travel to our Dallas headquarters and portfolio company sites, with additional travel during acquisitions and major implementations. xhyhwjd CompensationCompetitive base salaryAnnual performance bonusEquity participationOpportunity to co-invest alongside Flying Horse Capital in future investmentsWhy Flying Horse CapitalBe the first IT hire and shape the function from day oneBuild a shared-service model across a growing portfolio of businessesWork directly with firm leadership and portfolio company executivesShare in the long-term value you help create through equity and co-investmentJoin a firm built on permanence, integrity, and respect for the businesses and families we partner withWe are looking for someone to build this with us for the next 10 to 20 years.