IT Manager

Keen; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A technology company in Cape Town is searching for an IT Manager to own and improve its IT infrastructure and technology environment. The successful candidate will manage internal support, relationships with vendors, and ensure systems are secure and efficient. Responsibilities include overseeing network health, managing device lifecycles, and developing IT strategies aligning with business growth. Benefits include a competitive salary, medical allowance, and a supportive work culture. This position requires commitment to in-office work at Wembley Square, Cape Town.

Benefits

Competitive full-time compensation

Collaborative office space and culture

Medical allowance

Birthday leave

Professional development budget

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an IT Manager, IT Lead, or similar role.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra (Azure AD).
• Experience managing vendors and third-party service providers.
• Solid understanding of IT security, device management, and access control.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior IT staff.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage Keen's full IT infrastructure, including networks and cloud services.
• Manage relationships with Internet Service Providers to ensure stable connectivity.
• Monitor and maintain network health and performance.
• Oversee daily IT operations ensuring smooth functioning of systems.
• Develop and maintain Keen's IT roadmap aligned with business growth.

Skills

Networking concepts

Microsoft Intune

Vendor management

IT security

Desktop support

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Job description

Overview

The IT Manager at Keen is responsible for owning, managing, and continuously improving the company's entire IT infrastructure and technology environment. This role ensures that Keen's systems are secure, reliable, scalable, and aligned with business needs, enabling teams to work efficiently and without disruption. The IT Manager will act as the strategic and operational owner of IT, overseeing vendors, infrastructure, platforms, security, and internal IT support, while managing and developing the IT Coordinator who handles day-to-day support activities.

Key Responsibilities

• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Own and manage Keen\'s full IT infrastructure, including networks, hardware, software, and cloud-based services
• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Manage relationships with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), ensuring stable, high-performance connectivity at all times
• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Proactively assess connectivity performance and make recommendations on ISP selection, redundancy, and failover solutions
• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Monitor and maintain network health, including switches, access points (APs), firewalls, and related infrastructure
• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Ensure uptime, performance, and reliability across all office and remote working environments
• IT Infrastructure & Network Management – Maintain a comprehensive Asset Register, ensuring all hardware and software licenses are tracked, tagged, and audited regularly

• Platform & Systems Ownership – Own and administer Microsoft 365 environment including and not limited to Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) environments
• Platform & Systems Ownership – Ensure devices, users, and applications are correctly installed, configured, secure, and up to date
• Platform & Systems Ownership – Manage device lifecycle processes (onboarding, offboarding, replacements, upgrades)
• Platform & Systems Ownership – Maintain system patching, updates, and compliance policies across all devices

• Vendor & Third-Party Management – Engage, evaluate, and manage all IT vendors and service providers
• Vendor & Third-Party Management – Ensure Keen receives best-in-class solutions, coverage, and value for money
• Vendor & Third-Party Management – Negotiate contracts, manage renewals, and ensure vendors meet agreed SLAs
• Vendor & Third-Party Management – Identify opportunities to consolidate tools, improve efficiency, or reduce costs
• Vendor & Third-Party Management – Manage the IT budget (OPEX and CAPEX), tracking spend against forecasts and optimizing software licensing to prevent wastage

• Security, Compliance & Risk Management – Own IT security best practices across the business
• Security, Compliance & Risk Management – Implement and maintain security policies, access controls, and data protection measures
• Security, Compliance & Risk Management – Monitor risks, vulnerabilities, and incidents, and take corrective action where required
• Security, Compliance & Risk Management – Ensure compliance with relevant data protection and security standards appropriate to Keen\'s operations

• Day-to-Day IT Operations – Oversee daily IT operations and ensure smooth functioning of all systems
• Day-to-Day IT Operations – Proactively identify and resolve infrastructure or system issues before they impact the business
• Day-to-Day IT Operations – Maintain documentation for systems, processes, and configurations
• Day-to-Day IT Operations – Provide escalation support for complex technical issues when required
• Day-to-Day IT Operations – Establish SLA\'s and implementing/managing ticket systems

• Team Leadership & People Management – Manage, support, and develop the IT Coordinator, who handles day-to-day IT administration and user support
• Team Leadership & People Management – Set clear priorities, workflows, and performance expectations for the IT function
• Team Leadership & People Management – Coach and upskill the IT Coordinator to improve service delivery and technical capability
• Team Leadership & People Management – Implement or refine IT support workflows (ticketing systems) to track response times, identify recurring issues, and measure service performance

• Strategy & Continuous Improvement – Develop and maintain Keen\'s IT roadmap aligned with business growth and strategy
• Strategy & Continuous Improvement – Recommend and implement improvements to systems, tools, and infrastructure
• Strategy & Continuous Improvement – Ensure IT can scale with the business as Keen grows
• Strategy & Continuous Improvement – Partner with leadership to understand operational needs and translate them into IT solutions

Requirements

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an IT Manager, IT Lead, or similar role
• Strong knowledge of networking concepts (switches, APs, firewalls, ISPs, redundancy)
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra (Azure AD)
• Experience managing vendors and third-party service providers
• Solid understanding of IT security, device management, and access control
• Proven experience in desktop support for Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, Android and iOS devices
• Experience managing or mentoring junior IT staff
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Nice-to-Have / Advantageous

• Experience in a creative, digital, or agency environment
• Exposure to cloud-first or hybrid IT environments
• Experience with IT budgeting and cost optimisation
• Familiarity with remote and hybrid workforce setups

Key Competencies & Behaviours

• Ownership and accountability for outcomes
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
• Strong communication skills, able to translate technical concepts for non-technical teams
• Calm, structured, and reliable under pressure
• Continuous improvement and growth mindset

Reporting Line

• Reports to: [Insert Role - e.g. Head of Operations / COO / Managing Director]
• Manages: IT Coordinator

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Minimal downtime and reliable IT systems across the business
• Secure, well-managed devices and platforms
• Proactive IT improvements that support team productivity
• Strong vendor partnerships and cost-effective IT solutions
• A well-supported and high-performing internal IT function

Benefits

• Competitive full-time compensation
• Collaborative office space and culture
• Medical allowance
• Exposure to a fast-growing global client in the SaaS/tech space
• Birthday leave + professional development budget
• Join a supportive, resourceful, and global team that values action, clarity, and empathy

This is a full-time position working from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am SAST. This is an in-office role, based at our Wembley Square, Cape Town location. Reliable commuting to and from the office is required.