Director of Information Technology

Scion Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Director of IT for a rapidly growing, private education services organization that partners with schools nationwide to deliver innovative operational and technology solutions. This hybrid opportunity is based in the Phoenix, Arizona area and is ideal for a hands-on technology leader who enjoys mentoring teams, solving technical challenges, and driving operational excellence within a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Hybrid schedule: onsite 2-3 days / week

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Our partner is seeking a hands-on, player-coach Director of IT, Central Services to lead corporate IT operations while mentoring a lean, high-performing IT team. This role combines technical leadership with day-to-day operational involvement and is responsible for corporate infrastructure, Microsoft technologies, cybersecurity, identity and access management, vendor relationships, budgeting, enterprise applications, and end-user support for approximately 400 employees. The ideal candidate enjoys rolling up their sleeves to solve complex technical challenges, coaching their team, driving operational improvements through automation and AI, and delivering an exceptional employee technology experience.

PERKS:

• Competitive salary plus comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.
• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility and collaboration.
• Opportunity to lead a highly visible IT function with executive partnership and significant ownership.
• Manage a $1 million IT budget while influencing technology strategy, infrastructure improvements, and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Join a growing organization that embraces innovation, AI-driven automation, and continuous improvement while maintaining a collaborative, people-first culture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a lean IT team in a hands-on player-coach capacity , serving as the primary escalation point for complex Tier III technical issues while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Oversee corporate IT operations, including help desk services, Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, endpoint management, networking, hybrid infrastructure, and end-user support.
• Manage identity and access administration, including provisioning, deprovisioning, single sign-on (SSO), role-based access controls, privileged access, and audit readiness across enterprise systems.
• Direct cybersecurity operations, including endpoint protection, vulnerability management, MFA, incident response coordination, security awareness, compliance support, and risk mitigation.
• Manage IT vendors, software licensing, procurement, asset lifecycle management, contract renewals, and the organization's approximately $1 million IT operating budget.
• Administer centrally managed enterprise applications and partner with business leaders to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable technology solutions.
• Lead IT planning and execution for acquisitions, including technology assessments, migrations, employee onboarding, system integrations, and infrastructure standardization.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for automation, AI-enabled solutions, process optimization, and enhanced employee technology experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive IT experience, including leadership across IT operations, infrastructure, help desk, cybersecurity, and vendor management, with demonstrated success leading a hands-on player-coach IT team.
• Strong hands-on technical experience supporting Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID, Windows environments, networking, endpoint management, SaaS applications, and hybrid infrastructure.
• Experience managing identity and access management, single sign-on (SSO), role-based access controls, user provisioning/deprovisioning, and enterprise security practices.
• Proven experience managing IT budgets, vendor relationships, software licensing, procurement, asset management, and technology lifecycle planning.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity operations, including endpoint security, vulnerability management, incident response, compliance, audit readiness, and security awareness initiatives.
• Experience leading IT service management and help desk operations, with familiarity using Zendesk or similar ticketing platforms and a focus on delivering excellent employee support.
• Microsoft, Azure, Entra ID, ITIL, PMP, CISSP, CISM, CCNP, or related certifications are highly preferred. Experience supporting multi-site organizations, SaaS environments, acquisitions, or rapidly growing organizations is strongly preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This organization offers a competitive compensation package of $140-155k/yr (DOE) along with a 10% bonus and their full benefit offerings : comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings options, paid time off, paid holidays, professional development opportunities, and a flexible hybrid work environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a growing organization where you will have significant ownership, executive visibility, and the ability to influence technology strategy, strengthen cybersecurity, improve employee experience, and modernize IT operations through innovation and automation.

ABOUT OUR SEARCH FIRM:

Scion Staffing is a national award-winning staffing firm! Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of successfully placing thousands of talented professionals with amazing career opportunities. Through our innovative team building and recruiting solutions, we bridge the gap in executive leadership searches, direct hire recruiting, interim leadership placement, and temporary professional staffing. We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm can also be found online.

Scion Staffing, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that have enacted fair chance, arrest or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Staffing proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.