What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director, IT Operations position at Holley Performance?
Overview:
Holley is undergoing a multi-year business and technology transformation, and IT Operations sits at the center of it. The Senior Director of IT Operations is accountable for the stability, security, and scalability of Holley’s core technology services while modernizing how IT delivers and supports the business.
This role leads Infrastructure, Application Operational Support, and Cybersecurity Operations, with a clear mandate to design, develop, and implement scalable IT processes. A core expectation of the role is the maturation of IT Service Management (ITSM) practices through hands-on ITIL-aligned process design, execution, and continuous improvement, while operationalizing TISAX requirements. The focus is not just keeping systems running, but building a disciplined, resilient, and auditable operations capability that supports growth, ERP/WMS modernization, and OEM-grade security expectations.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who can balance rigor with pragmatism—bringing structure where needed and raising the bar for how IT operates every day.
Key Responsibilities:
IT Operations Leadership
- Lead enterprise-wide IT Operations covering:
- Infrastructure (cloud, on-prem, network, identity, endpoint)
- Application Operational Support (ERP, WMS, CRM, integrations, middleware)
- Cybersecurity Operations (monitoring, response, vulnerability management)
- Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of all production systems.
- Establish clear ownership, escalation paths, and operational accountability across teams.
- Build a culture that treats stability, security, and service quality as non-negotiables.
IT Service Management, ITIL Adoption & Process Excellence
- Personally lead the design, development, and implementation of ITSM processes aligned to ITIL, including:
- Incident Management
- Problem Management
- Change & Release Management
- Service Request & Catalog Management
- Define, document, and enforce end-to-end operational processes, standards, SLAs, OLAs, and KPIs.
- Implement service dashboards and reporting that provide transparency to IT leadership and the business.
- Drive continuous improvement through structured root cause analysis, trend analysis, post-incident reviews, and ongoing process refinement.
Infrastructure & Platform Operations
- Own the operational health of hybrid and cloud infrastructure environments.
- Ensure infrastructure is secure, scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with architectural standards.
- Establish and test disaster recovery, backup, and business continuity plans.
- Partner with Architecture and Engineering teams to ensure operational readiness for new platforms and solutions.
Application Operational Support
- Lead application support teams responsible for Tier 1/2/3 support of enterprise platforms.
- Ensure clear handoffs from project delivery to steady-state operations.
- Reduce operational risk through standardization, automation, and documentation.
- Drive application uptime, performance monitoring, and proactive issue prevention.
Cybersecurity Operations & TISAX Enablement
- Lead day-to-day cybersecurity operations, including monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management.
- Partner closely with Information Security and GRC teams to operationalize security controls.
- Drive IT Operations readiness for TISAX certification and ongoing compliance.
- Ensure operational processes support SOX, audit, and regulatory requirements.
- Embed security-by-design and security-by-default into operational practices.
End-User & Service Experience
- Oversee Service Desk and end-user support functions.
- Improve employee experience through faster resolution, self-service, automation, and knowledge management.
- Ensure service delivery is consistent across locations and business units.
People & Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop managers across Infrastructure, Applications, Service Desk, and Security Ops.
- Set clear expectations, goals, and accountability for leaders and teams.
- Build a performance-driven culture focused on ownership, reliability, and continuous improvement.
- Attract, retain, and develop top operational talent.
Strategic Partnership
- Serve as a key operational advisor to the CIO and IT leadership team.
- Provide input into IT strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions from an operational lens.
- Support major initiatives such as ERP/WMS implementation, cloud migration, and security modernization.
Qualifications
Required
- Deep, hands-on expertise in process design, development, documentation, and implementation within IT Operations and ITSM environments.
- 12 years of progressive IT experience, including senior leadership in IT Operations.
- Demonstrated experience leading infrastructure, application support, and service delivery teams.
- Strong hands-on understanding of ITSM and ITIL-based operating models.
- Experience operating in regulated or audit-driven environments.
- Proven ability to stabilize environments, mature processes, and scale operations.
- Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred / Nice to Have
- ITIL certification (or equivalent practical experience implementing ITIL).
- Direct experience implementing or operating under TISAX, ISO 27001, or NIST frameworks.
- Experience supporting ERP and WMS platforms in manufacturing or distribution environments.
- Background in cloud-first or hybrid infrastructure environments.
- Track record of operational automation and tooling modernization.
Why This Role Matters
This role is not about firefighting forever. It’s about building a modern, disciplined IT Operations function that the business can trust. You’ll be a key enabler of Holley’s transformation—turning operational maturity, security, and service quality into competitive advantages.
If you like fixing what’s broken, scaling what works, and leaving things better than you found them—this seat has your name on it.
Why Holley Is a Great Place to Work
At Holley, we’re more than a performance parts company—we’re a community of enthusiasts, innovators, and problem-solvers. We offer a competitive benefits package and a culture that values both performance and people.
Benefits:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coveragestarting day one.
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and9paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-paid life andshort-termdisability insurance
- Employee discounts on Holley Performance Brands products, events,and partnerships
- Education Assistance program
Holley is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact human resources.