Job Title: Director of IT

Location: New Jersey

We are partnering with a global organization seeking a hands-on Director of IT to design, secure, and operate its enterprise technology environment. This role blends strategic leadership with deep technical execution, owning cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, virtualization, and end-user computing across U.S. and South America offices.

This individual will remain directly involved in day-to-day technical work while setting direction for IT operations, security, and infrastructure. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating at both architectural and execution levels, leading teams and vendors while maintaining accountability for system reliability, security posture, and operational excellence.

Your role:

Hands-On Cloud & Infrastructure (AWS & VMware)

• Design, deploy, and personally manage AWS infrastructure, including VPCs, EC2, RDS, S3, IAM, networking, and security services.
• Architect and administer VMware environments (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter) supporting on-prem and hybrid workloads.
• Plan and execute migrations between on-prem VMware and AWS environments.
• Implement high availability, backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions.
• Monitor performance, availability, and costs across AWS and VMware; optimize reliability and spend.
• Automate infrastructure using infrastructure-as-code and scripting where appropriate.

Hands-On Cybersecurity Leadership

• Directly implement and manage security controls across cloud, virtualization, networks, servers, and endpoints.
• Secure approximately 250 corporate workstations (Windows/macOS) using endpoint protection, MDM, patching, encryption, and MFA.
• Manage identity and access management, SSO, least-privilege access, and privileged account controls.
• Lead vulnerability management, penetration testing coordination, and remediation efforts.
• Own incident response, forensics, and recovery activities.
• Maintain compliance readiness for SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and regional data privacy requirements.

End-User Computing & IT Operations

• Oversee lifecycle management for ~250 corporate workstations, including procurement, imaging, deployment, patching, and replacement.
• Provide escalation-level support for complex desktop, server, and network issues.
• Manage collaboration tools, file services, VPN, and remote access solutions.
• Maintain IT documentation, standards, and operational runbooks.

Leadership & Global Operations

• Lead and mentor IT staff while remaining directly involved in technical execution.
• Manage MSPs and vendors, reviewing and validating technical work hands-on.
• Support U.S. and South America offices with consistent security, performance, and support standards.
• Establish and enforce IT policies, change management processes, and operational standards globally.

What you’ve got:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of progressive IT experience with significant hands-on responsibility.
• Deep expertise in AWS architecture and operations.
• Strong VMware experience in enterprise or hybrid environments.
• Advanced cybersecurity knowledge across endpoint, identity, and infrastructure security.
• Experience supporting 200+ workstations in a corporate environment.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic leadership and hands-on execution levels.

Preferred:

• AWS certifications (Solutions Architect, Security Specialty).
• VMware certifications (VCP or equivalent).
• Cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISM, CRISC).
• Experience with MDM, endpoint management, and automation.
• Experience supporting teams and operations in South America.
• Spanish or Portuguese language skills.