Krumland Auto Group

Job Title: IT Director

Job Purpose:

The IT Director leads and manages the Information Technology (IT) department to ensure that the organization's technology infrastructure is efficient, secure, and aligned with business needs. This role requires strategic thinking, technical expertise, leadership, and the ability to collaborate across departments to drive technological innovation and solve business challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

 1. IT Strategy and Leadership: 

• Develop and implement the organization's IT strategy in alignment with business objective.
• Lead the IT department, providing guidance, direction, and support to the IT team. 
• Ensure IT initiatives are in line with the organization's goals and priorities. 

2. Technology Management:

• Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of IT infrastructure, systems, and applications. 
• Ensure the scalability, performance, and security of all technology systems. 
• Manage cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid IT environments.

3. Budgeting and Resource Allocation: 

• Develop and manage the IT department's budget, ensuring cost-effective use of technology resources. 
• Evaluate technology investments, making recommendations on hardware, software, and services. 
• Track IT expenditures and ensure that projects are completed within budget and timeline constraints.

4. Cybersecurity and Risk Management: 

• Implement and maintain cybersecurity policies and practices to safeguard the organization's data and systems. 
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure the implementation of security protocols. 
• Stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends and manage incident response. 

5. Team Management and Development: 

• Hire, mentor, and develop IT staff to enhance performance and skills.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and productive work environment.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide opportunities for professional development. 

6. Project Management:

• Oversee IT projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time and meet business requirements. 
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure smooth implementation of IT solutions.
• Manage external vendors and contractors for IT services and equipment

7. Vendor Management:

•  Evaluate and manage relationships with IT vendors and service providers.
•  Negotiate contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), and ensure vendors meet performance standards.
•  Oversee software, hardware, and cloud service procurement.

8. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery:

• Develop and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensure that backup systems and processes are in place and tested regularly.
• Minimize downtime and data loss through effective recovery strategies.

9. Innovation and Technology Trends:

• Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, and digital transformation.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide recommendations for their adoption when appropriate.

10. Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with senior leadership, business units, and external stakeholders to understand technology needs.
• Communicate IT goals and initiatives clearly to non-technical stakeholders. 
• Ensure that IT services meet the needs of employees and customers. 

Qualifications and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field, or comparable IT certifications.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field is a plus. 

Experience:

• 7-10 years of experience in IT management, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing IT infrastructure and teams in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Experience with budgeting, vendor management, and resource planning.
• In-depth knowledge of networking, hardware, software, cloud services, and IT security.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent project management abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of IT systems, architecture, and development methodologies.
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of enterprise applications (ERP, CRM) and database management.

Certifications (optional but preferred):

• ITIL Certification (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Work Environment:

• Full-time, in-office or hybrid depending on company policy.
• May require occasional travel to remote offices, data centers, or client sites.
• May involve after-hours support for critical IT issues.