IT Manager - Hybrid IT Engineering and Operations

Optomi, in partnership with an industry leading client of ours, are seeking an experienced IT Manager to lead their IT Engineering and Operations functions. This role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day technology operations, managing a hybrid IT team (internal and MSP), and designing scalable business solutions using off-the-shelf products, integrations, and modern cloud technologies. This will be a 6 month long contract to hire, on a fully remote basis. *No C2C or 3rd party sponsorship available*

The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical foundation, a customer-first mindset, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to deliver secure, reliable, and user-focused solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage hybrid IT engineering and operations teams (internal staff and MSP partners), driving performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Oversee daily IT operations including infrastructure, cloud services, service desk, and SaaS administration
• Establish and enforce best practices for SLA-driven IT support, change management, incident response, and system operations
• Champion a customer-first service mindset, delivering high-quality IT support and an exceptional end-user experience
• Design and implement business solutions leveraging off-the-shelf platforms, AI tools, APIs, integrations, and automation workflows
• Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies to support business growth and digital transformation
• Administer and manage Microsoft 365 ecosystem (E3/E5), including Entra ID (Azure AD), Defender, Exchange Online, Intune, and security policies
• Oversee Azure cloud infrastructure including virtual machines, storage, databases, networking, and identity management
• Lead enterprise identity initiatives including SSO, MFA, Conditional Access, and SaaS integrations
• Manage corporate networking including firewalls, VPNs, and wireless infrastructure
• Establish and maintain IT and Information Security policies, procedures, and standards

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• Lead vulnerability management, patching, endpoint security, logging, and monitoring initiatives
• Implement and maintain security controls across cloud platforms, systems, and SaaS applications
• Support security awareness programs, SOC 2 compliance efforts, audits, and risk assessments
• Manage the full SaaS lifecycle including procurement, onboarding, integration, support, and offboarding
• Maintain strong vendor relationships across MSPs, SaaS providers, and cloud partners
• Monitor system performance, licensing, and cost optimization initiatives
• Oversee IT Service Desk operations, ensuring timely issue resolution and continuous process improvement
• Develop and track IT KPIs, SLAs, and operational dashboards
• Lead cross-functional IT projects, including M&A initiatives, from planning through execution

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in IT engineering, system administration, or IT operations
• 5+ years of experience in IT leadership or team management
• Proven experience designing and delivering business solutions using off-the-shelf applications and system integrations

Preferred Certifications

(At least one of the following is required)

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
• Azure Administrator or Azure Solutions Architect
• ITIL Foundation (or higher)
• CISM or CISSP

Key Competencies

• Strong commitment to delivering best-in-class IT service and end-user experience
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Solid understanding of security, compliance, and governance frameworks
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on scalability and reliability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Self-starter with the ability to operate independently and drive initiatives forward