Director, IT Operations

About Ascent Ascent Developer Solutions is a leading private lending platform, serving real estate developers nationwide in the acquisition, renovation, and construction of residential real estate. Founded by a leadership team with a deep understanding and personal experience in virtually every facet of real estate development, Ascent is uniquely positioned to create custom, innovative lending solutions for a variety of real estate development business strategies. The Role Ascent Developer Solutions is seeking an experienced Director of IT Operations to lead and mature our cloud-first, Microsoft-based technology environment. Reporting to the SVP, Technology, this role owns the reliability, security, and performance of all IT systems and services across the organization — infrastructure, endpoints, identity, collaboration, and end-user support. The Director leads a small internal IT operations team and directs our Managed Service Provider (MSP), owns the IT operations budget and roadmap, and partners with information security, HR, and business leaders to keep systems available, compliant, and cost-effective as the company scales. The Work Own the reliability, performance, and security of the company’s technology environment — network, endpoints, servers, cloud and hybrid workloads, and collaboration systems. Lead planned network infrastructure modernization, including a firewall and switch refresh. Administer the Microsoft 365 environment, including tenant configuration, licensing, mail flow, and security baselines. Direct endpoint management and device lifecycle — provisioning, Microsoft Intune (MDM), patching, imaging, and refresh — across an on-site and hybrid workforce. Own the IT service desk and end-user experience, defining and meeting service-level agreements (SLAs) for response and resolution. Operate identity and access management within Microsoft Entra ID, including SSO, MFA, conditional access, and least-privilege/role-based access. Own the technology portion of user onboarding, offboarding, and role changes in close coordination with HR — account and license provisioning, equipment, role-based access, and timely deprovisioning (same-day for involuntary separations). Serve as the primary owner of the MSP relationship, directing scope and priorities, managing performance against SLAs, and defining the split between internal and MSP-delivered work. Direct IT hardware and software procurement, standardization, and asset and license inventory; manage carriers and technology vendors, including contracts, SLAs, performance reviews, and renewals. Continuously monitor IT systems for performance and reliability, proactively addressing issues to minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency. Operate core security controls in partnership with information security leadership — vulnerability and patch management, endpoint protection, logging, and email security. Own business continuity and disaster recovery, including backups, recovery testing, and incident-response readiness.

GENERAL DUTIES

Own the IT operations budget; forecast, track, and report spend, including cloud and SaaS cost optimization. Build and maintain the IT operations roadmap aligned to company growth, headcount, and facilities plans, such as office moves and new sites. Lead, coach, and develop the internal IT operations team. Develop, enforce, and update IT policies, standards, runbooks, and best practices to support a secure and efficient technology environment. Identify and implement automation and AI-assisted operations to improve efficiency, reliability, and self-service. Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations, vendor agreements, and IT processes. Lead IT projects from conception to completion — including risk management and mitigation. Support compliance and audit programs (e.g., SOC 2) by maintaining accurate IT and control documentation and remediating findings. Evaluate emerging technologies and vendor offerings to enhance IT capabilities and streamline operations, working with the MSP where appropriate. Provide regular updates and clear communication on IT initiatives, risks, and progress to executives and cross-functional teams. Your Skills and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. 8+ years in IT operations or infrastructure, including 3+ years leading staff and/or managing an MSP and vendors, preferably in real estate finance or another regulated industry. Demonstrated ownership of enterprise infrastructure, identity, endpoint management, and Microsoft 365. Hands-on experience with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Intune (MDM). Strong networking and security fundamentals — firewalls, VPN, segmentation, Zero Trust principles, and IAM. Cisco Meraki experience a plus. Experience running an IT service management (ITSM)/service-desk function and meeting defined SLAs, plus budget ownership and vendor/contract negotiation. Experience supporting compliance frameworks (e.g., SOC 2) and business continuity/disaster recovery. Relevant certifications preferred (e.g., ITIL, Microsoft M365/Azure, CISSP, or Security+). Excellent leadership, project management, communication, and problem-solving skills. The Pay Salary range is up to $180,000 per year, with a discretionary bonus of 15% per year The Work Environment This role works on-site from Ascent's Encino office, Monday - Thursday (Fridays are work-from-home). Our Benefits We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include five health plans, two dental plans, health savings and flexible spending accounts, vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, and other optional benefits from which to choose. Our Pledge We pledge to be fair and considerate in hiring and promoting individuals, ensuring everyone can contribute their fullest potential regardless of background, identity, or personal circumstances. By promoting equal opportunity, we not only enhance our workplace but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. At Ascent, we stand united in building a community where everyone is empowered to succeed. Thank you for joining us on our journey towards a more inclusive future.