IT Director

On Board Experiential (OBE) is an award-winning, full-service, experience-led agency that creates meaningful brand experiences worldwide. We work out of our homes and physical offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and NYC, or wherever our adventures take us! Our clients include Nike, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, The Infatuation, Stripe, and OpenAI, to name a few. We know, "Cool, cool, but what’s it like to work at OBE?" We thought you'd never ask. Event Marketer has recognized OBE as one of the best places to work in events and well, we couldn't agree more. The most important part of our business is our people. They are hardworking, brave and make magic happen on the regular. But under each majestic exterior is a human deserving of a healthy work-life balance. That’s why we believe in recovery days, happy hours, friendly but competitive fitness challenges and company offsites. We conduct open meetings to facilitate discussions that heal, inspire, and bring us closer. We encourage each other to bring our whole selves to work. We want to hear about your lived experiences and unique perspectives. We don't just want you to be unapologetically you: it's part of the job description. Summary of Position The IT Director is a senior leader responsible for the strategic direction, management, and security of the organization’s technology ecosystem, including emerging AI capabilities. This role ensures that all OBE offices and personnel have secure, reliable, and scalable systems that support efficient data processing, collaboration, and communication across locations and remote environments. The IT Director oversees the organization’s IT infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, and enterprise technology strategy while identifying opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency and business outcomes. This position leads IT operations, vendor partnerships, and technology initiatives across multiple office locations and remote employees while ensuring the protection, integrity, and availability of company information assets. Essential Job Functions IT Strategy, Operations & AI Enablement: (30%) Develop and implement IT policies, standards, and best practice frameworks across the organization. Establish and execute the organization’s IT and AI strategy aligned with business objectives. Identify and implement opportunities for AI, automation, and data-driven solutions to improve operational efficiency and decision-making. Oversee daily IT operations including infrastructure, systems, cloud services, and enterprise applications. Plan and manage technology upgrades, migrations, and system implementations. Maintain department operational documentation and ensure compliance with applicable laws, codes, and regulations. Develop and manage the IT department budget and ensure cost-effective technology investments. Evaluate, select, and implement technology solutions and enterprise systems that support business growth. Establish timelines and governance for major IT initiatives including infrastructure updates, platform migrations, and system integrations. Stay informed of emerging technologies, cybersecurity trends, and AI advancements relevant to the organization. Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance: (20%) Lead the organization’s information security management program to safeguard data, systems, and networks. Conduct technical risk assessments across information security, privacy, disaster recovery, infrastructure, emerging technologies, and vendor environments. Identify security gaps and lead remediation initiatives to strengthen the organization’s security posture. Maintain incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans. Establish and maintain security policies, training programs, and awareness initiatives for employees. Perform regular system audits and vulnerability assessments across all office locations. Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and security frameworks, including PCI and vendor security requirements. Help Desk/In House Technical Support: (20%) Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of network, server, cloud, and endpoint infrastructure. Evaluate organizational technology needs and recommend scalable solutions aligned with future growth. Manage hardware lifecycle planning, procurement, and deployment. Oversee email systems, identity management, and access control processes. Maintain accurate technology asset inventories and system documentation. Service Delivery & Internal Support: (15%) Oversee IT service delivery and support operations for all employees across offices and remote environments. Manage the IT help desk ticketing system (ServiceNow) and ensure timely resolution of technical issues. Oversee employee technology onboarding, provisioning, and support processes. Provide escalation support for complex technical issues when necessary. Vendor & Technology Partner Management: (10%) Manage relationships with IT vendors, service providers, and technology partners. Negotiate contracts, review Master Service Agreements, and ensure vendor performance aligns with business needs. Evaluate and select external partners for infrastructure, security, and enterprise technology services. Client & Project Technology Support: (5%) Provide technical oversight and consultation on project-specific technology requirements. Manage hardware and software deployment for client or project initiatives. Support project teams in configuring devices, systems, and profiles as needed. Desired Skills and Experience Education Bachelor's degree in computer science, management information systems, business administration or related field. Advanced technical certifications or graduate-level education in technology, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence preferred. Experience Eight to ten (8–10) years of progressive experience in information technology leadership roles. Experience developing and implementing IT strategy and managing enterprise infrastructure environments. Experience with cybersecurity risk management, regulatory compliance, and disaster recovery planning. Experience implementing AI, automation, or advanced data solutions within business operations preferred. Proven experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing enterprise technology platforms. Experience managing vendor partnerships and negotiating service agreements. Experience working in collaborative, cross-functional environments. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, risk management, and enterprise IT governance. Knowledge of AI technologies, automation tools, and data-driven systems applicable to business operations. Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ability to prioritize initiatives and manage multiple technology projects simultaneously. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. High attention to detail and strong documentation practices. Self-motivated with the ability to lead initiatives in a fast-paced environment. Software Experience using an IT Support Helpdesk ticket system, such as Service Now Strong knowledge of office system and software configurations, best practices, specifically Microsoft Office Products, including Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Suite, and Quickbooks Knowledge of encryption both at the file and machine level Ability to maintain general software inventory ensuring legality and tracking Knowledge of Active Directory configuration and replication Strong documentation skills, including Visio/diagramming software Networking Network architecture including VLANs and secure wireless infrastructure Firewall configuration, policies, and network monitoring Intrusion detection and prevention systems Cloud-based infrastructure and hybrid environments Backup, recovery, and data protection systems Other Qualities and Skills Strong intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning, especially in emerging technologies and AI. Ability to support and communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders. High adaptability and flexibility, including occasional evening or weekend work when required. Willingness to work a hybrid schedule (minimum two in-office days weekly) and travel periodically to company offices. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative environment. Strong customer service orientation and leadership mindset. Compensation Range: $150,000 - $185,000 annually. This is the pay range OBE believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on level of experience, relevant skills, professional certifications, market pay, and demand for the role. OBE reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. For this role, Benefits include: medical/dental/vision insurance, employer paid basic life and personal accident insurance. Also included: Annual Profit Sharing/Bonus Plan based on the company’s performance and your individual performance, 401(k), Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, PTO, STD/LTD insurance benefits.