Director of IT Central Services

Job description

Be the one who makes a difference! At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us. The Director of IT for Central Services is responsible for leading the strategy and operations of all internal IT central services. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer. Primary responsibilities include overseeing the central services IT team’s performance, daily IT operations, company-wide strategic IT vision, and leading post-merger and acquisition integrations. To navigate Vertex's continued growth and transformation, the ideal candidate will be a strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader with strong operational expertise, including process improvement and productivity management. Essential Functions: Functional and Operational Leadership: Network, Systems, and Data Management : Oversee the IT infrastructure including network architecture, Virtualization, cloud, data and systems management (ie. data centers). Ensure optimization of hybrid and remote work environments that deliver seamless connectivity, scalability, data integrity, and compliance through effective network operations, remote VPNs, and data backup policies. User Support, Endpoint, and Software Management : Lead the help desk team to provide top-tier support for employees, ensuring rapid resolution of technical issues. Manage corporate devices, mobile device configurations, software deployments, and updates, ensuring proper licensing and optimal performance of all tools and endpoints. Security, Compliance, and Access Management : Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and implement security protocols to safeguard remote and office-based systems. Manage applications and systems across platforms including but not limited to Workday, Zendesk, GSuite, Slack, and Microsoft, ensuring secure, efficient, and up-to-date access measures. Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement: Measure and analyze the performance of IT systems and services, using key metrics to identify areas for improvement. Implement continuous improvement tools, methods and processes that enhance the efficiency and security of internal systems. Deliver exceptional service by achieving daily SLAs and ensuring high internal customer satisfaction. Strategy, Integration Management & Innovation: Lead Post-Merger and Acquisition (M&A) IT Integrations : Execute the IT integration strategy for current and future M&As. Ensure actions and approach is aligned to consolidate systems, networks, data, and platforms across all impacted organizations while ensuring seamless operations, data integrity, and security compliance. Collaborate effectively with the Integration Management Office to develop enhancements to the IMO playbook that identify best practices, improve planning, mitigate risk, and optimize implementation for a positive stakeholder experience. Standardize and Optimize IT Systems : Oversee the unification of technology platforms, security protocols, policies, and collaboration tools, while managing vendor relationships, driving operational excellence, and leading change management efforts to ensure smooth transitions of merging companies. Resource Management: Develop and manage the Central Services annual budget, allocating resources strategically to maximize impact and efficiency. Implement tracking mechanisms to assess ROI and optimize resource distribution. Ensure proper inventory management of Vertex IT assets. Innovation & Adaptability: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends. Continuously innovate and adapt IT strategies to incorporate new tools, improve efficiency, and meet evolving business needs. Team Leadership & Development: Be a change agent focused on implementing standards and best practices that strengthen and improve department culture and company performance. Through team engagement, seek feedback and implement actions that create a positive work environment. Develop and execute a talent management strategy focused on attracting top candidates, providing professional development opportunities, and retaining high-performing IT professionals. Qualification Requirements: Education, Certifications, and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in IT management with deep knowledge of data, systems, security, and infrastructure. Strong leadership and communication skills with a history of leading teams and aligning IT services with organizational goals. Proven experience in managing budgets, ROI assessments, and optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact. Deep understanding of industry best practices for security protocols, compliance regulations, data management, and disaster recovery planning. Demonstrated expertise in infrastructure management, including cloud architecture (ie. Azure), network design and optimization, virtualization (VMware), data center operations and system administration (Windows). Ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies and incorporate new solutions into the operational framework. Experience with post merger and acquisition integrations and standardization. Previous director-level experience preferred. Background Checks: Must pass a criminal history background check. Must obtain and maintain a valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Physical & Travel Requirements: Periodic travel between campuses. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Extended periods of sitting, phone conversations, and concentration may be required. Local and in-state travel is necessary. Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us! ​ Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education. Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up. Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed. Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education. Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances. Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance. Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions. Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes. Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer. Be the one who makes a difference! With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!