IT Area Manager - Full-time Year Round

Location: Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark – Galveston, TX Company: Enchanted Parks Employment Type: Full‑Time, On‑Site (Seasonal intensity with year‑round responsibilities) Reports To: Admissions Manager Position Summary Enchanted Parks is seeking an experienced and hands‑on IT Area Manager to oversee all information technology systems at Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark . This role is critical to ensuring reliable, secure, and guest‑focused technology operations across ticketing, point‑of‑sale, access control, rides systems support, communications, and back‑office functions. The IT Area Manager will serve as the primary technology leader on property‑balancing strategic planning with daily operational execution in a fast‑paced, safety‑driven, hospitality environment. Key Responsibilities Technology Operations & Support Own the day‑to‑day operation, uptime, and performance of all park IT systems, including: Ticketing and admissions systems Point‑of‑sale (food, retail, cabanas, lockers) Network infrastructure (LAN/WAN/Wi‑Fi) End‑user devices (POS terminals, kiosks, tablets, PCs, printers) Provide onsite, hands‑on technical support during operating days, peak periods, and special events Coordinate rapid response and troubleshooting during system outages to minimize guest impact Infrastructure & Systems Management Design, maintain, and document park IT architecture including servers (on‑prem and/or cloud), network topology, and backups Manage cybersecurity controls, including firewalls, access permissions, endpoint security, and data privacy Ensure PCI compliance and protection of guest payment data Oversee disaster recovery and business continuity procedures Vendor & Project Management Act as primary liaison with third‑party vendors (POS, ticketing, networking, security, telecom) Manage IT‑related contracts, renewals, and service‑level agreements Lead technology rollouts, upgrades, and seasonal openings/closings Support capital planning for IT investments and asset lifecycle management Team Leadership & Training Recruit, train, and supervise seasonal and part‑time IT support staff as needed Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation, and escalation workflows Train park leadership and frontline teams on systems usage and best practices Business & Operational Partnership Collaborate closely with Park Operations, Finance, HR, Food & Beverage, Retail, and Safety teams Support reporting, analytics, and system integrations that improve operational efficiency and guest experience Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to broader operational planning Qualifications Required 5+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 2 years in an IT leadership or managerial role Strong experience supporting POS, ticketing, and network systems in hospitality, attractions, or retail environments Proven ability to manage IT operations in a high‑availability, guest‑facing business Working knowledge of: Network administration (switches, firewalls, Wi‑Fi) Windows‑based systems and end‑user device management Cybersecurity and data protection best practices Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and leadership skills Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and peak operating periods Preferred Experience in theme parks, water parks, resorts, or large seasonal operations Familiarity with access control, timekeeping, locker, or cashless payment systems Experience managing seasonal openings, closures, and large‑scale operational testing Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience) IT certifications (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, or similar) a plus Physical & Work Environment Requirements Must be able to work onsite in indoor and outdoor environments Ability to move throughout the park, including equipment rooms and guest areas Ability to lift and install IT equipment (up to 50 lbs) Comfortable working in a seasonal, high‑energy, operational setting Why Enchanted Parks Be a key leader in a high‑profile, guest‑focused entertainment environment Direct ownership of on‑property technology decisions and outcomes Opportunity to modernize and enhance systems that directly impact guest experience Work with a collaborative leadership team committed to safety, service, and operational excellence #J-18808-Ljbffr