IT Operations Lead

Giatec Scientific Inc.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Development budget

Volunteer days

Birthday off

RRSP matching

Job summary

Giatec Scientific Inc. in Ottawa, Canada, is seeking an IT Operations Lead who will unite traditional IT operations with AI-driven automation to reimagine internal systems.

You will lead the IT function, mentor the team, drive enterprise initiatives, implement DR and security, and partner with Engineering, Product, Sales, and Operations to deliver scalable technology solutions. Candidates have 5–8 years of hands-on IT experience, expertise in Microsoft 365, scripting, endpoint management, and a

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of IT operations or systems administration experience.
• Strong Microsoft 365 administration experience.
• Scripting proficiency (PowerShell, Python, or Bash).
• Experience with Intune or JAMF.
• Security best practices knowledge (CIS/NIST/ISO).
• Diploma or degree in Information Technology or Computer Science.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day IT support and act as the senior escalation point.
• Administer core IT infrastructure including endpoints and cloud services (Microsoft 365, Azure AD/Entra ID).
• Lead AI-driven automation initiatives and tool integration.
• Design, implement, and test disaster recovery and backup strategies.
• Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, and software licensing.
• Mentor and lead the IT team, driving continuous improvement.

Skills

M365 administration

Automation scripting

Endpoint management

Networking basics

Security best practices

Leadership / mentoring

Communication

Education

Diploma or degree in IT/CS

Tools

Intune

JAMF

Azure AD

Job description

ABOUT GIATEC:

Giatec Scientific Inc. is a global leader in smart concrete testing technologies, bringing real-time data, AI, and IoT solutions to jobsites worldwide. Our core products - SmartRock®, SmartMix®, and MixPilot® - support the full concrete lifecycle, from mix design and production to placement and performance monitoring, helping teams improve quality, efficiency, and sustainability while reducing concrete's carbon footprint.

Giatec solutions have been used on 15,000+ projects across 85+ countries, and we've been recognized as one of Canada's fastest-growing companies for three consecutive years. We believe our people are key to our success and are always looking for curious, driven individuals to help shape the future of construction technology.

The expected salary range for this role is between $75,000-$115,000. This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

We're looking for an IT Operations Lead who thrives at the intersection of traditional IT operations and modern AI-driven automation. This is not your typical "keep the lights on" role, it's a chance to fundamentally reimagine how a growing technology company runs its internal systems.

As the leader of Giatec's IT function, you'll own the full spectrum of IT operations and guide our existing IT team member across day-to-day support and strategic initiatives.

This role is ideal for someone with 5-8 years of hands-on IT experience who is hungry to lead a small team, automate, and innovate.

Responsibilities:

Day-to-Day IT Operations & Support

• Oversee day-to-day IT support and serve as the senior escalation point, partnering with the existing IT team member to triage and resolve helpdesk tickets and ensure timely resolution.
• Administer and maintain core IT infrastructure including Windows/macOS endpoints, cloud services (Microsoft 365, Azure AD/Entra ID), networking equipment, and office A/V systems
• Manage user accounts, access permissions, and identity lifecycle (onboarding, offboarding, role changes) across all enterprise platforms
• Maintain hardware inventory, procurement, and asset lifecycle management for laptops, peripherals, and office equipment
• Monitor system health, uptime, and performance using observability and alerting tools

AI-Powered Automation & Process Innovation

• Identify, design, and implement AI-driven automations to eliminate repetitive IT tasks (e.g., automated provisioning, self-service password resets, intelligent ticket routing, AI-powered knowledge bases)
• Leverage AI and scripting tools (PowerShell, Python, Bash, Power Automate, n8n, or similar) to build workflows that reduce manual intervention and accelerate response times
• Stay current with AI advancements in IT operations and proactively recommend tools and strategies to leadership

Disaster Recovery, Security & Business Continuity

• Design, implement, and regularly test disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans, including backup strategies, failover procedures, and recovery time objectives
• Manage backup solutions across cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring data integrity and compliance with retention policies
• Implement and maintain security best practices including endpoint protection, MFA, conditional access policies, vulnerability patching, and security awareness training
• Conduct periodic security audits and risk assessments, remediating findings and documenting compliance posture
• Coordinate with external vendors and managed security providers as needed

Enterprise IT Initiatives & Strategic Projects

• Lead and execute enterprise IT projects such as SaaS platform rollouts, infrastructure migrations, network upgrades, and system integrations
• Develop, document, and maintain IT policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that scale with the organization
• Evaluate new technologies and vendor solutions, preparing business cases and recommendations for leadership
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, Sales, and Operations to understand their technology needs and deliver solutions
• Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, and software licensing to optimize cost and value

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and develop Giatec's existing IT team member, setting priorities and managing workload
• Delegate frontline support and operational tasks while focusing on strategy and automation
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the IT function

Must-Haves:

• 5-8 years of experience in IT systems administration, IT operations, or a related technical role
• Experience mentoring, leading, or coordinating IT staff.
• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 administration (Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, Entra ID/Azure AD)
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (PowerShell, Python, or Bash) with a proven track record of automating IT workflows
• Experience with endpoint management tools (Intune, JAMF, or similar MDM solutions)
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (DNS, DHCP, VPN, firewall configuration, TCP/IP)
• Demonstrated experience designing and testing disaster recovery and backup solutions
• Familiarity with security frameworks and best practices (CIS benchmarks, NIST, or ISO 27001)
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
• Diploma or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with AI/ML tools for IT operations (AIOps platforms, Claude integrations, AI-powered monitoring)
• Cloud certifications (Azure Administrator, AWS SysOps, or equivalent)
• Experience in a startup or scale-up environment where wearing multiple hats is the norm
• ITIL certification or experience with IT service management frameworks
• Experience managing SaaS integrations and SSO/SCIM provisioning

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

• Competitive company-paid benefits plan
• Generous professional development budget
• Volunteer and Life Days that make work/life balance easier to achieve
• Your birthday off (because we want you to celebrate)
• RRSP matching program through RBC

At Giatec, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is critical to our success. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Giatec is committed to providing a barrier-free recruitment process. Accommodations and support are available upon request throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact [e-mail]. All accommodation-related information will be kept confidential.