Director of IT
Director of IT
Category:
IT - Leadership and Management
Employement Type:
Full Time
Industry:
Salary:
$100,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annual
Date Published:
07-Apr-2025
Role: Director of IT (Path to VP of IT)
Location: Ottawa, ON (Onsite or Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Industry: Managed IT Services / MSP
Salary: < $120,000.00
About the Company
Our client is a highly respected and rapidly expanding Managed Services Provider (MSP) based in Ottawa. They deliver secure, scalable, and client-centered IT solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across various industries. Known for their integrity, responsiveness, and deep expertise, they have built long-term relationships based on trust. As part of their growth strategy, they are seeking a Director of IT with exceptional leadership capabilities and a mandate to take full ownership of technical operations, staff development, and service excellence—with a direct succession path to the Vice President of IT role.
About the Role
The Director of IT is a mission-critical leadership position carrying extremely high responsibility for all aspects of technical service delivery, operations, and personnel. You will have full oversight and decision-making authority over all IT staff, hiring, training, performance management, service standards, and delivery processes. You will also work closely with executive leadership to align IT strategy with organizational growth goals and long-term client success.
You will be responsible for the structure, culture, and execution of the company’s IT organization—owning everything from technical roadmaps and compliance to project success and talent development.
Key Responsibilities
Executive-Level IT Leadership
- Own the delivery, integrity, and performance of all IT services across the organization and client base
- Serve as the most senior technical leader in the company, reporting to executive leadership with a path to VP of IT
- Drive the strategic direction of the IT department, aligning internal growth with client and market demands
- Take full accountability for success metrics across service uptime, security, compliance, and satisfaction
Extreme Ownership of Staff & Hiring
- Fully manage all IT personnel: hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, mentorship, and performance evaluation
- Build career progression roadmaps, learning paths, and internal certifications for technical staff
- Set high standards of accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence
- Create and lead internal training programs to upskill the team and standardize knowledge across service lines
- Actively participate in hiring strategy, jobrole definition, and team expansion initiatives
Operational Excellence and SLA Compliance
- Oversee day-to-day operations of infrastructure, support, cloud services, and cybersecurity
- Enforce strict adherence to SLAs, client satisfaction benchmarks, and internal KPIs
- Create systems and reports that ensure proactive performance monitoring, rapid response, and continuous improvement
- Establish and audit internal documentation, ticketing workflows, escalation paths, and standard operating procedures
Project Planning and Execution
- Work in collaboration with the Project Manager to define scope, allocate resources, and ensure timely delivery of technical projects
- Provide hands-on technical oversight and executive guidance during all phases of deployment
- Participate in client meetings, pre-sales planning, and technical strategy presentations
Cybersecurity and Compliance Management
- Direct internal and client-facing cybersecurity strategy, tooling, and compliance support
- Oversee implementation of security controls, policies, and monitoring solutions (e.g., SIEM, EDR, MFA, DLP)
- Ensure full alignment with CIS Controls v8, NIST, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 frameworks
- Guide clients through audits, risk assessments, and remediation planning
Infrastructure and Network Oversight
- Lead the architecture, maintenance, and optimization of cloud, virtualized, and on-premise environments
- Supervise network design, firewall security, segmentation, and high-availability planning
- Ensure system resiliency, redundancy, and backup/DR readiness across client and internal environments
Client Leadership and Executive Advisory
- Act as a trusted advisor to C-suite and leadership at client organizations
- Translate complex technical risks and solutions into clear, actionable business language
- Lead or support QBRs, audits, executive briefings, and technology roadmaps for key clients
What You Bring
- 8+ years of progressive IT experience, including 2+ years at the Director level or equivalent senior leadership role
- Direct experience leading high-performing teams in an MSP or multi-client environment
- Proven ability to hire, train, mentor, and lead cross-functional IT personnel
- Strong background in infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, and service delivery
- Hands-on experience with tools like Autotask, ConnectWise, Datto RMM, IT Glue, Microsoft 365, SentinelOne, Fortinet, and Azure
- Deep understanding of compliance frameworks and reporting: CIS v8, NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2
- Excellent leadership presence, organizational skills, and communication ability
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, PMP, ITIL, CISM, Microsoft/Azure, or CCNP are preferred
Nice to Have
- Experience building out IT leadership structure or scaling teams in high-growth environments
- Familiarity with internal audit preparation and GRC practices
- Background in vendor management, licensing, or CapEx/OpEx planning
- Experience in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, or legal
Why This Role
- Take full command of IT strategy, staff, and service delivery within a growing MSP
- Play a direct role in shaping the organization’s next chapter as future VP of IT
- Build and lead a team where your decisions and leadership truly matter
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and dedicated support for your own professional development
- Hybrid work flexibility and a company culture built around excellence and trust