Director Of Information Technology

Position Purpose
The Director of Information Technology is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, implementation, and management of all information technology systems and infrastructure. This role is critical in driving technological advancements and maintaining existing technological integrity within the organization to support short and long-term efficient operations and growth. This is a key leadership position responsible for providing tactical and technical direction for a comprehensive technology forecast which informs the company's overall strategic plan.
Leadership Duties

• Creates, maintains, and communicates departmental goals and metrics that align with and support the continued accomplishment of company goals.
• Serves as a member of Houston's senior leadership team, collaborates with other senior leaders to build and maintain long-term technology strategy that aligns with company Core Values and project goals, balancing a growth focus for both employees and business.
• Oversees departmental performance to ensure duties and goals are executed timely; identifies potential performance and execution roadblocks before they occur and provides solution options.
• Supervises the activities of all IT staff; provides regular coaching and growth opportunities for employees to promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.

Functions Or Duties

• Develop technology roadmaps for all business units in collaboration with departmental managers, prioritizing by each department's growth strategy, organizational impact, required resources, and general business need.
• Prepare project plans and proposals, outlining project objectives, IT requirements, future business impact, and investment requirements for proposed systems.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Provide leadership for the IT Manager and IT employees through coaching, guidance, training, and growth opportunities.
• Minimum Qualifications:
• Develop and implement business continuity protocols to minimize disruption to business operations in the event of emergency situations or data loss.
• Create a holistic technology plan aligning individual department needs with company needs; leverage guidelines to facilitate strategic planning, including staffing, budgeting, rollout timing and ongoing technical support.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external IT vendors and service providers; oversee negotiation and administration of vendor, outsourcer, and consultant contracts and service agreements.
• Establish efficiency and efficacy standards; analyze IT infrastructure and systems performance to assess operating costs, productivity levels, upgrade requirements, and other metrics and needs.
• Lead development and implementation processes for the organization's major IT systems and technology projects.

Knowledge And Skills

• Innovative, strategic, and logical thinker with strong analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of Linux server operating systems and PICK Multi Value Databases required.
• Working knowledge of virtual machines and network-attached storage preferred.
• Management and decision-making skills that demonstrate value around cross-functional input, and measure success in the strength of relationships as well as on-time/on-budget task completion.
• Demonstrated experience managing preparation, testing, and rollout for large system implementations, and managing the upstream and downstream workflows.
• Extensive knowledge of IT-related functions, including server computer hardware, network design, implementation, operation, security, telecommunications, databases, and storage systems.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to actively coach and shape a collaborative, solution-focused culture in line with company Core Values.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Office365/Exchange), Infrastructure planning experience, and disaster recovery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to listen well, resolve conflicts among diverse perspectives and lived experiences, and communicate technical concepts in laymen's terms.
• Strong project management experience, with the ability to train and lead various company resources in meeting project support deadlines.
• Working knowledge of the Apache web server, network routing, and IP-based phone systems preferred.
• Proven experience as IT Director or similar role.

Education And Experience
Git, PHP, and jBASE experience preferred.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• 7+ years' experience managing an IT operation and staff.
• 10+ years' experience in Information Technology.
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or related technical discipline required.

While performing the duties, this position is frequently required to sit; look at the computer screen; use hands to finger. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Some lifting up to 30 lbs, is required.
The work involves performing complex tasks with very close accuracy and quality.
Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Travel:

10%
Organizational Data

• This position directly supervises: IT Manager
• This position reports to: President

AAP/EEO Statement
Houston's Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Houston's Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Houston's Inc. expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Houston's' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.