IT Ops Director

Ports North; Shoreview (MN); Hybrid; USD 110,208 - 137,760; Full time

Job summary

Ports North is seeking an IT Operations Director to oversee infrastructure, cybersecurity resilience, and PMO governance in a mature enterprise. You will optimize on-prem and hybrid cloud environments, drive service delivery improvements, and establish a robust operating model across multi-site operations.

Responsibilities include vendor governance, ITIL program standardization, and leading modernization initiatives while balancing legacy systems and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience.
• Strong background in infrastructure operations, networking, cybersecurity, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience managing MSP/MSSP providers and service governance.
• Proven success leading IT transformation, process improvement, and operational stabilization initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with ITIL, PMO, and technology governance frameworks.
• Strong project/program management and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead optimization of on-prem and hybrid cloud infrastructure (Azure).
• Define and implement the right balance of internal IT capabilities and outsourced services (MSP/MSSP).
• Manage vendor relationships, service governance, escalations, and KPI reporting.
• Oversee multi-site network operations, security, resiliency, and lifecycle planning.
• Standardize ITIL processes including incident, problem, and change management.
• Establish IT governance, solution evaluation processes, and Change Control Board practices.
• Serve as PM for key IT initiatives and modernization efforts.
• Optimize technology spend, vendor contracts, and software licensing.
• Ensure effective backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity practices.
• Partner with business and IT stakeholders globally to drive operational excellence.

Skills

IT leadership

Infrastructure operations

Cybersecurity

Hybrid cloud

Vendor management

PMO governance

Stakeholder management

Tools

ITIL

PMO

Change control

Job description

We have partnered with our client in their search for a hands‑on IT Operations Director to lead IT infrastructure, cybersecurity resilience, and PMO governance within a mature enterprise environment. This role will focus on optimizing and stabilizing existing systems, reducing technical debt, improving service delivery, and establishing an effective IT operating model.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead optimization of on-prem and hybrid cloud infrastructure (Azure).
• Define and implement the right balance of internal IT capabilities and outsourced services (MSP/MSSP).
• Manage vendor relationships, service governance, escalations, and KPI reporting.
• Oversee multi-site network operations, security, resiliency, and lifecycle planning.
• Standardize ITIL processes including incident, problem, and change management.
• Establish IT governance, solution evaluation processes, and Change Control Board practices.
• Serve as PM for key IT initiatives and modernization efforts.
• Optimize technology spend, vendor contracts, and software licensing.
• Ensure effective backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity practices.
• Partner with business and IT stakeholders globally to drive operational excellence.

Required Experience

• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience.
• Strong background in infrastructure operations, networking, cybersecurity, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience managing MSP/MSSP providers and service governance.
• Proven success leading IT transformation, process improvement, and operational stabilization initiatives.
• Hands‑on experience with ITIL, PMO, and technology governance frameworks.
• Strong project/program management and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to balance modernization efforts with legacy system support.
• Experience managing EOL transitions and technology refresh cycles.
• Practical, execution-focused leader who can drive results and organizational change.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience supporting global teams across multiple regions.

IT Operations Director

Shoreview, MN - hybrid schedule

Manufacturing

$80-100/hr DOQ

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