Director of IT

Job Description

Job Description

Title : Director of IT – (Manufacturing and Industrial) Infrastructure and Delivery
Location: Chicago, IL
Hire Type : Direct
Compensation: $187,000 - $250,000
Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: ESOP
Benefits: Very competitive health insurance: variety of medical coverage options including PPO, EPO, HDHP, with HAS and HMO (Dental, Vision
Must have Skill Set: Occasional Travel

Overview:

A leading industrial manufacturing organization is seeking a Director of IT Infrastructure & Service Delivery to lead enterprise infrastructure strategy, architecture, operations, and continuous improvement initiatives. This executive leadership role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, scalability, and performance of technology platforms that support business operations, digital transformation initiatives, and long-term organizational growth.

The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with business acumen and leadership experience, serving as a strategic partner to executive stakeholders while leading high-performing infrastructure and service delivery teams.

Job Duties:

Infrastructure Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and execute enterprise infrastructure and service delivery roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
• Lead architecture, governance, and optimization of hybrid IT environments, including on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud platforms.
• Establish infrastructure standards and reference architectures for compute, storage, networking, cloud, and endpoint technologies.
• Drive technology lifecycle management, modernization initiatives, and infrastructure transformation efforts.
• Support business expansion, acquisitions, and technology integration projects.

Infrastructure & Cloud Operations

• Oversee enterprise infrastructure operations, including servers, storage, virtualization, backup, recovery, and high-availability environments.
• Lead cloud strategy and adoption across Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Govern cloud architecture, security, identity integration, networking, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure infrastructure supports critical enterprise applications, analytics platforms, and operational technologies.
• Drive capacity planning, performance optimization, and operational excellence.

Network & Connectivity

• Lead enterprise network architecture and operations, including LAN/WAN, wireless, SD-WAN, and remote connectivity solutions.
• Ensure secure and reliable connectivity across multiple facilities, distribution operations, engineering sites, corporate offices, and remote users.
• Partner with operational technology teams to support secure IT/OT integration strategies.

End User Technology & Collaboration

• Oversee enterprise endpoint management, mobile technologies, virtual desktop environments, and remote access solutions.
• Manage collaboration and productivity platforms, including messaging, conferencing, file services, and workplace technologies.
• Drive automation, self-service capabilities, and technology standardization to enhance the user experience.

IT Service Delivery & Operations

• Lead enterprise IT service management functions utilizing ITIL best practices.
• Oversee incident, problem, change, request, asset, and configuration management processes.
• Ensure high service availability and operational support for business-critical environments.
• Establish and measure service performance through KPIs, SLAs, and operational metrics.
• Lead major incident response and continuous service improvement initiatives.

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

• Partner with Information Security leadership to embed security into infrastructure design and operations.
• Support identity management, endpoint security, network security, backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable cybersecurity and operational standards.
• Strengthen organizational resilience through risk reduction and recovery planning.

Identity & Endpoint Management

• Lead enterprise identity and access management strategy across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS platforms.
• Oversee Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), MFA, conditional access, privileged access management, and identity lifecycle processes.
• Manage Microsoft Intune and endpoint management technologies, including device compliance, patch management, application deployment, and remote support.
• Support zero-trust security initiatives and secure workforce access strategies.

Financial, Vendor & Team Leadership

• Manage infrastructure budgets, cloud spend, contracts, and strategic vendor relationships.
• Negotiate service agreements and ensure vendor performance aligns with business objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop infrastructure and service delivery teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders and translate business needs into technology solutions.

Qualifications: 

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 10+ years of IT experience, including significant leadership experience managing enterprise infrastructure and operations teams.
• Deep expertise in enterprise infrastructure technologies, cloud platforms, networking, service delivery, and IT operations.
• Strong understanding of hybrid cloud environments, cybersecurity principles, identity management, and enterprise service management.
• Proven experience leading large-scale technology initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Strong business acumen, financial management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, technology budgets, and strategic roadmaps.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, or multi-site operational environments.