Director of IT

Position Summary

The Director of Information Technology will partner and work with the leadership team to lead the planning, development and execution of the technology strategy and roadmap in support of business objectives and growth goals set by the executive leadership team. The position will create, own and direct the delivery of strategic technology initiatives as well as manage and lead ongoing day to day technology operations, including driving operational improvement opportunities and risk mitigations. The IT Director role spans responsibilities for technical support of the ERP project plan, infrastructure management with the MSP partner, and securing the enterprise against data loss, attack and risks. Long-term responsibilities include the sustainment of the enterprise business systems, based in an Acumatica and Salesforce cloud environment in the Facilities Management/Construction/Industrial Services industries. Responsible for overseeing and managing the IT organization overall, and resource management for internal team members and partner relationships. This will include performing ongoing quarterly business reviews with key IT partners (including our MSP) and management of overall IT spend. The Director of Information Technology will formulate and implement management policies and operating practices concerning all aspects of the IT department; This role is based in-office in our Schaumburg, IL headquarters.    

Key Responsibilities

Business Transformation

• Provide thought leadership on how technology can be leveraged in support of business goals and strategies with emphasis on Business Systems, Financial Consolidation and Enterprise Business Intelligence.
• Lead enhancement of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) integration to enable greater efficiency and value from business operations.
• Collaborate with functional leaders, decision makers, systems owners, and end users to define business, financial, and operational requirements and systems goals

Strategy & Planning

• Participate in strategic and operational governance processes as a member of the senior management team, including periodic updates to executive leadership team and Board members.
• Lead IT strategic and operational planning by prioritizing IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment and management of current and future IT systems.
• Enhance, document and communicate the current IT organizational structure, staffing, roles and responsibilities to better support the needs of the business.
• Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.

Operational Management

• Provide leadership for planning, implementation and support of core IT operations.
• Conceptualize strategic IT initiatives and oversee all IT projects from concept to execution and ongoing support.
• Ensure scalability, uptime and performance of key IT and business systems to support business operations as well as continuous growth.
• Ensure continuous delivery of IT services in line with end users’ service level expectations.
• Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT resources and external entities, including vendors and partner organizations.
• Responsible for execution of all technology projects in a Project Management Role.

Financial Management

• Develop, track, and control the information technology annual operating and capital budgets in partnership with the Finance
• Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed systems or continuous improvements to aid management in making implementation or prioritization decisions.

Supplier Management

• Manage the relationships with (and between) external parties and suppliers, ensuring contracts and service levels are negotiated in line with strategic aims and financial constraints and ongoing service is in-line with agreed contracts.

Acquisition Integration Management

• Lead IT aspects of acquisition due diligence, integration planning, execution and ongoing support.
• Develop an IT organizational, operating and service delivery model that facilitates rapid integrations of new acquisitions. Create reusable assets for repeatable M&A operations.
• Develop and oversee implementation of an IT integration playbook.
• Co-lead unification and streamlining of business processes across the company’s various entities.

Cyber and Data Protection

• Develop and maintain a cyber security program, ensuring proactive measures are in place inclusive of hardware/software hardening, policies and procedures, training.
• Ownership of a data backup and recovery program.
• Develop and maintain the Major Incident & Business Continuity plan for IT and to implement measures designed to safeguard the Information Technology and Management needs of the Foundation in the event of major incidents or disasters.

Competencies

• Business Transformation: Ability to provide strategic technology leadership by aligning enterprise systems, OT/IT integration, and data capabilities with business goals and translating cross-functional requirements into scalable solutions.
• Strategic Planning: Proven track record advising executive leadership and governing IT strategy by developing roadmaps, structuring the IT organization, and driving financially sound planning and investment decisions.
• Operational Management: Demonstrated ability to lead IT operations and delivery by ensuring reliable, scalable systems, executing projects end-to-end, and managing high-performing vendor and partner ecosystems.
• Financial Management: Expertise in oversseing IT financial management by developing budgets and guiding investment decisions through ROI and cost-benefit analysis.
• Supplier Management: Proficiency in managing supplier relationships by negotiating contracts and ensuring performance aligns with service levels and strategic objectives.
• Acquisition & Integration Competencies: Proven success in leading M&A technology efforts by conducting due diligence, executing integrations, and standardizing processes through scalable operating models and playbooks.
• Cyber Security & Data Protection: Proven capability in ensuring cybersecurity and resilience by implementing security programs, mitigating risks, and maintaining robust backup, disaster recovery, and incident response capabilities.
• Leadership: Ability to drive enterprise leadership impact through strategic thinking, change management, effective communication, and accountability for measurable business outcomes.

Benefits

• Medical 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• EAP 
• STD/LTD 
• Basic Life and AD&D 
• Voluntary Life 
• Supplemental: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity 
• Cell Phone Stipend 
• 401(k) 
• Paid Time Off 
• Paid Holidays 

Watterson is an Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify employer. 

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or competencies. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description based on business need. 

Qualifications

• 7 plus years’ experience managing and/or directing an IT operation, including experience in implementing and managing business systems; familiar with Acumatica ERP and field service applications, integration with CRM systems, business intelligence and content management environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in the field of computer science or business administration.
• Experience operating with Acumatica ERP required.
• Experience working in the Facilities Management/Construction/Industrial Services industry, with cross-functional understanding of industry specific business processes preferred.
• Experience with Mergers & Acquisitions preferred.
• Experience working with Private Equity owned Portfolio Companies preferred.
• Relevant and demonstrable experience with project management and process improvement, including delivering IT initiatives on-time, on-budget.
• Track record of partnering with business stakeholders on business transformation initiatives (e.g. changes in business model, sales & marketing transformation).
• Demonstratable experience with Business Intelligence / Data Analytics.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting. 
• Ability to operate a computer. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.