IT Manager

IT Manager

Farm and Forge Club is a high-performance youth and adult training facility that blends elite sports coaching, academic enrichment, and holistic development. Located in the heart of Middle Tennessee, we provide an ecosystem where athletes, families, and creators can thrive on and off the field. Our mission is to create confident, capable, and connected individuals by fusing excellence in sport with intentional mentorship, storytelling, and community engagement.

The IT Manager is responsible for leading the technology strategy, infrastructure, and day-to-day IT operations at Farm & Forge Club. This role serves as the organization's primary technology leader, ensuring all systems, networks, devices, and business applications remain secure, reliable, and scalable to support a rapidly growing campus.

This is a leadership role that balances strategic planning with technical execution. Because Farm & Forge is a growing organization, this individual should expect to be heavily involved in the day-to-day work, particularly in the early stages, personally supporting end users, troubleshooting technical issues, implementing systems, and leading technology initiatives. This role oversees technology operations, cybersecurity, infrastructure, vendor relationships, and end-user support while driving continuous improvements across the organization. As Farm & Forge expands, this individual will help shape the long-term technology roadmap and ensure technology enables our growth.

Success in this role means becoming a trusted business partner to leadership, proactively identifying opportunities to improve operations through technology, leading major technology initiatives, and delivering an exceptional technology experience for employees, coaches, members, and guests.

IT Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the organization's IT strategy in alignment with business objectives.
• Serve as the primary technology advisor to executive leadership.
• Recommend and implement technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and scalability.
• Lead technology planning for campus expansion projects, new facilities, and future business initiatives.
• Develop IT policies, standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Manage the IT budget, technology purchasing, and lifecycle planning.

IT Operations & End User Support

• Oversee all day-to-day technology operations across the organization.
• Provide technical support for employees across all departments.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, printers, networking, and connectivity issues.
• Configure and deploy laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and peripherals.
• Manage employee onboarding and offboarding technology needs.
• Administer Google Workspace and other business-critical applications.
• Maintain technology asset inventory and equipment lifecycle.

Infrastructure & Systems Administration

• Manage and maintain network infrastructure including switches, wireless access points, firewalls, internet connectivity, and security systems.
• Monitor system performance and proactively identify infrastructure improvements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network and system issues independently.
• Oversee server environments, backups, and business-critical systems.
• Maintain network diagrams, configurations, documentation, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Lead infrastructure upgrades and technology modernization initiatives.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Lead cybersecurity initiatives and implement security best practices across the organization.
• Manage endpoint security, software updates, patch management, and vulnerability remediation.
• Oversee user access management and identity security.
• Coordinate security audits, technology compliance efforts, and risk assessments.
• Partner with external security vendors when appropriate.

Vendor & Project Management

• Manage relationships with managed service providers, software vendors, internet providers, and technology partners.
• Lead technology implementations, upgrades, hardware refreshes, and system rollouts.
• Evaluate new technology platforms and recommend improvements.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Event & Facility Technology

• Oversee technology supporting tournaments, events, classrooms, conference rooms, and athletic facilities.
• Support streaming equipment, scoreboards, displays, audio/visual systems, and facility technology.
• Provide occasional evening and weekend support during major events.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of progressively responsible IT experience, including systems administration, infrastructure management, or IT leadership.
• Experience managing enterprise technology environments.
• Strong knowledge of networking, wireless infrastructure, firewalls, switching, and internet connectivity.
• Experience supporting Windows, macOS, mobile devices, and cloud-based business applications.
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization abilities.
• Experience managing multiple technology initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred

• Previous experience leading or managing IT operations for a growing organization.
• Experience with Google Workspace administration.
• Experience with Apple device management and MDM platforms.
• Experience with cybersecurity tools and security frameworks.
• Experience supporting POS systems, kiosks, digital signage, and streaming technology.
• Experience with Verkada, access control systems, and security cameras.
• Experience working with managed service providers and technology vendors.
• Experience with automation, scripting, AI tools, or workflow optimization.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at varying heights.
• Ability to walk throughout a large campus environment.
• Approximately 15% of work may be performed outdoors.
• Ability to safely move and install technology equipment and cabling.

Benefits

Farm and Forge offers comprehensive benefits that support our team's health and well-being. These include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Company-sponsored Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Team Outings