IT Operations Manager

Vaco Recruiter Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian investment firm is seeking an IT Operations Manager to lead their IT operations and manage a team of support specialists. This role involves overseeing the M365 stack and Azure Cloud, ensuring operational excellence, and implementing ITIL/COBIT best practices. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of System Administration experience, 5+ years in a management role, and expertise in networking and cybersecurity. The position offers a competitive salary, numerous benefits, and a modern office environment in North York.

Benefits

1-month Bonus

4 Weeks Vacation

3% RRSP Match

Access to an on-site gym

Qualifications

• 10+ years of System Administration experience with a stable career trajectory.
• 5+ years in a formal IT Manager or Team Lead role, managing teams.
• Direct experience within Banking, Finance, Insurance, or Big Tech.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily IT operations and lead a team of support specialists.
• Manage, mentor, and lead a team of internal IT recruiters.
• Take accountability for the M365 stack, Azure Cloud, and network environments.

Skills

Microsoft Mastery

Team Leadership

Cybersecurity Management

Operational Excellence

Networking/Servers

Proficiency in Mandarin

Education

4-year Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

M365 Stack

Azure Cloud

Windows/Linux Servers

Cisco/FortiGate/Juniper/Palo Alto

Job description

IT Operations Manager

Location: North York, Toronto (100% On-site)
Reporting to: Head of IT
Compensation: $100,000 – $120,000 + 1-month Bonus + 4 Weeks Vacation + RRSP Match

The Opportunity

Our client is a Canadian investment firm (Family Office) with a global reach across public equities, private equity, venture capital, and real estate. As their organization grows beyond 100 employees, we are seeking a hands‑on IT Operations Manager to lead our day‑to‑day infrastructure and support functions.

This is a newly created role for a technical leader who can transition our reliance away from external vendors and build a robust, high‑performing internal IT engine.

The Role

You will oversee daily IT operations and provide direct leadership to a team of support specialists. This is a “player‑coach” position requiring deep technical mastery of the Microsoft ecosystem and the ability to manage complex infrastructure projects.

• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and lead a team of internal IT recruiters and support staff.
• Infrastructure Ownership: Take full accountability for the M365 stack, Azure Cloud, and on‑premise network/server environments.
• Operational Excellence: Implement ITIL/COBIT best practices to streamline service delivery and risk management.
• Security & Compliance: Manage Entra ID, Intune, Defender, and overall cybersecurity posture.

Technical Requirements

• Experience: 10+ years of total System Administration experience with a stable career trajectory.
• Leadership: 5+ years in a formal IT Manager or Team Lead role, managing teams of 3–5+ members.
• Microsoft Mastery: Expert‑level knowledge of the M365 Stack (Entra ID, Exchange, Intune, SharePoint) and Azure Cloud (Compute, Storage, Networking, DevOps).
• Networking/Servers: Hands‑on experience with Windows/Linux servers and enterprise networking (Cisco, FortiGate, Juniper, or Palo Alto).
• Industry Background: Direct experience within Banking, Finance, Insurance, or Big Tech.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering.
• Language: Proficiency in Mandarin is a strong asset due to global collaboration requirements.
• Vendor Experience: Candidates with prior experience at large tech firms or within Canadian “Big 5” banking are highly preferred.
• Certifications: CCNP/CCIE, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or M365 Administrator Expert.

Perks & Benefits

• Total Rewards: Annual bonus equivalent to 1 month’s salary and 3% RRSP matching.
• Work‑Life: 4 weeks of paid vacation and comprehensive benefits after 3 months.
• On‑site Amenities: Modern office space in North York with access to an on‑site gym.