Director Infrastructure

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager of Infrastructure is responsible for architecting, building, and maintaining the company’s IT Infrastructure.  Manages the operation of on-premise data centers, servers, networks, and other technology platforms across the company.  Manages relationships and ensures provider performance for off-premise (e.g., Cloud, Hosted, IaaS) IT Infrastructure services. Designs, evaluates and makes recommendations for secure and effective technology solutions.  Delivers IT Infrastructure projects and monitors effectiveness in meeting the business needs. 

Provide leadership and manage a staff of direct reports in functional areas that include, but are not limited to, IT systems engineering, network administration, computer and datacenter operations, network architecture, computer hardware and software, and cyber-security solutions.

Controls expenses within the department and is responsible for meeting budget goals and objectives. Ensures internal control exists over the implementation, maintenance, and operations of the IT Infrastructure systems and processes.

Strategy & Governance

• Serves as a member of the IT Infrastructure & Operations Leadership Team.
• Provide a consistent approach and collaborate with other members of IT management, such that decisions are made in line with both the IT and business strategies and objectives.
• Participate in the development, communication, management, and maintenance of IT policies and procedures within the IT organization. 
• Maintain an industry awareness of information technology, IT best practices, and related technology trends, particularly in relation to the 3PL industry.  Identify innovation opportunities and working with the business leaders, plan how to leverage that technology or practice to the benefit of Verst.
• Monitor regulatory guidelines and emerging industry standards to ascertain their impacts on the enterprise-wide systems.
• Participate in the development, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for systems administration and operations.
• Support the IT Infrastructure & Operations leader in the IT Governance process that determines project prioritization and resource planning.  Prepare material and content in advance of the IT Governance sessions.

People & Resource Management

• Guide and supervise technical staff in the day-to-day operations.
• Train, mentor, and develop employees, improving individual skills and contribution to company performance.

·        Work directly with outside IT vendors or service partners in the support of VERST’s IT infrastructure.  Ensure that the vendors meet the business needs/SLAs and are compliant with contractual terms & conditions.

Service Management & Operations

• Work with company managers to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and operate VERST’s systems.  Enforce authorized and appropriate access controls.
• Participate in the planning, direction, and coordination of the design, installation, and connectivity of computer and network systems, as well as hosted and on-premises servers and storage.
• Adhere to the Change Management Policy, to ensure system changes are made in a controlled and transparent manner.  Enable reliable delivery of change to the business and mitigate the risk of negatively impacting the stability of the existing operations and back-office environments.
• Manage and administer software and operating system licenses for company compliance.
• Provide direct hands-on trouble-shooting and other service-related activities.
• Provide a timely and effective response to user requests and resolution of incidents.  Record and fulfill user requests as related to infrastructure incidents or requests.  Record, investigate, diagnose, escalate, resolve, and track incidents.
• Prepare periodic activity or progress reports, as well as the assisting with the preparation of business cases and proposals.

Infrastructure Management/Architecture

• Balance current and future needs for availability, security, reliability, performance, and capacity of IT systems and infrastructure through the forecast of future performance and capacity requirements.

• Test network and server performance and provide performance statistics and reports.

• Participate in the planning of Verst’s infrastructure lifecycle by determining each asset’s ability to provide value to the organization relative to its cost. Maintain the infrastructure asset registry and roadmap, including when to retire, grow or replace, repurpose or sustain.
• Define and document the company network, systems, or any specific solution or project. 

Security & Risk Management

• Ensure that IT infrastructure processes are compliant with company policy, governmental laws, regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Participate in the design and implementation of security defenses and practices to prevent breaches related to identity, company data, brand image, personal information, or any other information deemed to be sensitive.
• Assist the development, management, and testing of the overall disaster recovery plan, ensuring business continuity as it relates to the IT infrastructure. 

Key Work Experience & Competencies

• Ten (10) years previous IT experience including: network and server administration, risk management best practices (including security), telephone systems and services, business continuity, disaster recovery, and various hosting environments (including, on-prem, co-lo, cloud, hybrid); previous experience within a 3PL, Logistics, Transportation, Warehousing or Fulfillment industry strongly preferred.

·        Prior IT management or supervisory responsibilities required

·        Comprehensive knowledge of IT systems, networks, infrastructure, and security

·        Working knowledge in application systems support in a 3PL environment

·        Must have a communicative, collaborative, transparent, and trusted approach to working with his/her staff, colleagues, upper management, and outside partners

·        Experience working with outside IT service providers

·        Willingness to guide others, providing training, coaching, and development paths for team members

·        Hands-on experience in troubleshooting hardware.

·        Knowledge of current IT architecture protocols and standards.

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Soft skills

·        Excellent organizational, planning, and management skills

·        Strong communications and interpersonal abilities

·        Treats others with respect and value, with diplomacy and tact

·        Ability to listen, build rapport, and credibility as a partner within the business and IT

·        Ability to focus on business value results, rather than technology solutions

·        Strong customer service orientation

·        Ability to make sound and logical judgments

·        Self-directed and self-regulated, while being accountable for his/her area of ownership and role

·        Ability to balance the needs of customers in a challenging 3PL setting with the requirements to maintain a stable, secure, and ever-changing IT environment

·        Ability to translate and communicate technical information to a non-technical audience

Desired Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent years of experience; advanced degree or equivalent preferred.

Travel

·        Less than 5% of domestic travel