Q Center is seeking an innovative IT Director to play a pivotal role in shaping the technology landscape of the Midwest’s largest, high volume conference center. With over 1,000 guest rooms and 150,000 sq ft of meeting/event space this role must have the ability to balance security, guest experience, and operational efficiency as is crucial for success. This position will excel in developing strategic plans, be knowledgeable in IT systems while maintaining a flexible approach to the demands of the business. 

Job Summary

The Director of Information Technology (IT) is responsible for overall planning, organization, development and execution of all IT functions for the Q Center and associated businesses. This position entails directing all IT operations to meet client requirements as well as the support and maintenance of existing infrastructure, applications and development of new technical solutions. The Director of IT will oversee and manage the entire Technology Department and ensure that the company’s technology is meeting its goals and objectives efficiently and reliably.

This position is on-site, with a varying schedule that may include days, evenings, weekdays, and weekends.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401(K) with employer match
• Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with Wellness Credits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life, AD&D 
• Disability Benefits
• Employee Meals

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in IS, IT, or equivalent work experience. Hospitality field experience a plus.
• Strong experience managing a service-oriented team
• Experience managing complex projects with excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Minimum of 12 years of progressive information technology management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of PCI and GDPR requirements and audits.
• Experience of network/systems security required.
• Technology integration experience required.
• Experience liaising with business leaders to conduct needs analysis.
• Experience with Microsoft technologies including Office, Exchange, SQL and IIS.
• Knowledge of storage area networks and advanced networking topology.
• Systems Architecture and records management experience is preferred.
• Data analysis and related technologies for financial modeling preferred.

Physical Requirements

•  Flexible hours required
•  Long hours sometimes required
•  Medium work – Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Fundamental Requirements

• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and meet Q Center’s goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operations projects and systems.
• Responsible for the entire conference services team and its services as it relates to meeting and event set up
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to make decisions independently
• A balance of creative, technical, and analytical skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with a strong sense of urgency
• Effective project and personal management skills, including time management, planning, and organizing, execution, and delivery of results.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external groups to consistently exceed established goals
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to relate to all levels of staff.
• Must be able to assist guests with technical requirements and issues and possess a strong commitment to service.
• Employees must, at all times, be attentive, friendly, helpful and courteous to all guests and fellow employees.
• Manage IT staff by motivating, training, coaching and counseling employees, communicating job expectations and appraising their performance.
• Interview candidates for open IT positions and follow standards for hiring approval.
• Lead and manage the company’s day-to-day IT activity, ensuring all standards are followed.
• Comply with the company’s IT Security Policy as it pertains to hardware, software and security/data safety.
• Ensure proper backup of all business related, user relevant data.
• Prepare the annual IT budget for the company and administer that budget in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Work and consult with hardware and software vendors to setup and maintain all required equipment.
• Ensure that the usage and installation of software is in accordance with the software licensing laws.
• Ensure that all IT team members are properly trained in the use of all related devices and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable security standards and Q Center Policies and Procedures.
• Oversee strategy and management of all major service categories (Voice, Network, Server/Storage and End User).
• Develop and implement long-term strategic purchasing decisions for vendor support and PC hardware.
• Set strategy for and oversee company’s security and Disaster Recovery.
• Develop and oversee execution of IT strategy to support Q Center’s business strategy and growth goals.
• Oversee development and approve IT policies (including security and anti-virus programs), standards and best practices.
• Develop budgets associated with the information technology and communications systems and work with the General Manager to ensure appropriate and rapid approval.
• Approve major contracts with vendors for all technology, communications, and information systems, service and equipment purchases/leases.
• Be involved in and/or conduct departmental training; developing employee morale and skills.
• Organize and conduct department meetings on a monthly basis.
• Conduct employee performance reviews in accordance with Q Center standards.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and PCI requirements including coordination with the Audit and Legal teams.
• Lead a multi-faceted IT department and infrastructure base.
• Develop and oversee execution of long-term strategic recommendations for company.
• Oversee development of sophisticated processes and tools to manage reliable provision of services to users.
• Set the direction and oversee development of training and other end-user support for company employees.
• Ensure overall guest satisfaction and safety is achieved.
• Responsible for network support and security of Q Center network, Active Directory maintenance, Server Infrastructure maintenance, Network Infrastructure maintenance – wired & wireless, Network protection and failover tools implementation (Firewall, web security, multi-homing devices, etc).
• Ensure critical systems, specifically Network Infrastructure, Data Center, WiFi, Phones, Music, Firewalls are available twenty-four (24) hours per day seven (7) days per week.
• Ensure critical systems, specifically Front Office Property Management System, Registration System, Sales and Operations Management System, Food & Beverage Point of Sales computer systems are available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week..
• Establish and maintain user procedures and hardware familiarization for all systems.
• Provide Systems Administration, including maintaining user/group accounts, user configuration, trouble-shooting access problems and completion of on-site documentation.
• Assist in Server infrastructure management, performance monitoring, Operating System upgrades and troubleshooting.
• Provide system support services, including service outage diagnosis, troubleshooting and restoration of service, virus protection management.
• Good knowledge and support for desktop OS and applications including patches.
• Provide direct guest support and quality support to meeting/event space and conference services.
• Administer Office 365 with Teams, connection to global VPN and other communication tools.
• Assist in the process of systems backup and recovery procedures.
• Provide 24/7 support for mission critical systems.
• Oversee data security, management, and governance.
• Define the company’s overall technology strategy to support business objectives.
• Consistently communicate, both written and verbal, with all stakeholders including, CEO, property leadership team, vendors and partners.
• Function as the point of contact for all relationships regarding Technology Systems, including CEO, property leadership team, vendors and partners.
• Adapt to a diverse portfolio of various systems, platforms and processes, understanding when to flex for customization, and when to pursue an off-the-shelf solution.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of disaster recovery and IT security failure plans.
• Responsible for the preparation and management of operational and project budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Build a strategic project plan to support the technology needs for current and future growth of the organization.
• Define priorities and directs the execution of the plan, along with supporting key department leaders to ensure that the goals are achieved.
• Coordinate necessary components of compliance and security as it relates to Information Systems.
• Oversee logistics and purchasing of IT hardware and supplies.
• Proactively identify and solves or elevates project issues related to cost, schedule, safety, or qualifications to key stakeholders.
• Measure ROI to optimize decision making; collect and interpret metrics and analytics key to project.
• Perform any additional duties as assigned by the General Manager.

The Q Center:

Q Center is more than a conference center – it’s an experience! With 40 years of experience in meeting planning and special event production, Q Center has become an industry leader with boundless versatility and exceptional levels of service. As the largest full-service conference facilities in the Midwest, our vast 150,000 square-feet of IACC-certified meeting and event spaces regularly host a variety of occasions, from large-scale Fortune 500 company meetings to small business training and special events, like fundraisers and galas. One thing is for sure – food and fun are abundant at Q Center for all to enjoy. From our 95 acres of recreational fun to exploring local sites and indulging in gourmet cuisine, we aim to make every guest experience beyond expectations. Q Center isn’t just for business meetings and conferences – our multi-talented team and event space makes us one of the Midwest’s premier special event venues!

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

 EEO is the Law Supplement Notice Pay Transparency

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to careers@qcenter.com and provide the job title to which you are applying.