IT Systems Administration / Director, Wealth Management Client

IT Systems Administration / Director Wealth Management Client

Midtown- Hybrid Long term contract and possible Contract to hire
Role Summary
Our Wealth Management client is seeking a Director of IT Systems Administration to provide leadership and hands-on management of our on-premises IT infrastructure. This is a contract-to-hire position (initial two-year contract) based in New York City with a hybrid work structure. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Director will ensure that all critical systems including servers, networks, and key financial applications are secure, reliable, and effectively support our wealth management operations. This senior role offers an exciting opportunity for a seasoned IT professional to shape the technology environment of a leading financial services firm while coordinating closely with multiple business teams.
The ideal candidate is an experienced IT leader with a strong background in systems administration and team management. They will combine strategic oversight with hands-on technical expertise to maintain high availability of on-premises systems. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential, as this role involves collaborating across departments (Operations, Investment Management, Compliance, etc.) to align technology solutions with business needs.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily operations of on-premises IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance for all critical applications (e.g. Practifi CRM, SS&C Advent APX, Advent Moxy, and Eze OMS.)
• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the IT systems administration team, overseeing a small group of system administrators and support staff. This includes assigning tasks, guiding professional development, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Oversee maintenance, configuration, and upgrades of servers, storage, networks, and databases. Ensure regular patching, updates, and system backups are performed, and implement robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party services related to IT infrastructure and enterprise applications. Coordinate with vendors (including SS&C for Advent and Moxy) to troubleshoot issues, plan upgrades, and evaluate new solutions to improve our technology stack.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and leadership (Portfolio Management, Trading, Operations, Compliance, etc.) to ensure IT systems effectively support business workflows. Act as a liaison between IT and other departments, translating business requirements into technical solutions and ensuring timely communication of system changes or incidents.
• Develop and enforce IT policies, procedures, and best practices for systems administration, security, and compliance. Ensure that all on-premises systems adhere to firm-wide security standards and relevant regulatory requirements for data protection in the financial services industry.
• Work closely with the COO and senior management on IT strategy and planning. Prepare and manage the IT infrastructure budget, identify opportunities for process improvements or technology innovation, and lead initiatives to enhance system efficiency and scalability in alignment with business goals.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. 10 years of IT experience with a focus on systems administration and infrastructure, including 5 years in a leadership role managing IT teams or departments.
• Technical Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with on-premises IT environments including Windows and/or Linux server administration, enterprise storage, virtualization (VMware or similar), and network management (LAN/WAN, firewalls, VPNs). Proven track record of maintaining enterprise servers, databases, and networks for high availability and performance.
• Systems Administration Skills: In-depth knowledge of backup and recovery strategies, system monitoring, and troubleshooting. Experience implementing security best practices (user access controls, patch management, anti-virus, etc.) and ensuring compliance with IT policies.
• Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and organize IT teams. Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize initiatives, manage multiple tasks/projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Able to effectively communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders and senior executives. Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships across various departments and with external vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Financial Services Experience: Prior experience in the wealth management or financial services industry is highly desirable. Familiarity with the regulatory environment and the importance of data security and compliance (e.g. SEC/Client regulations for IT systems) in a financial context.
• SS&C Advent and Moxy Expertise: Hands-on experience with SS&C Advent portfolio management software (such as Advent Portfolio Exchange) and the Advent/SS&C Moxy Order Management System. Ability to support and troubleshoot these specific applications or similar investment management systems will be a significant plus.
• Certification & Advanced Education: Relevant industry certifications (e.g. ITIL, MCSE, AWS/Azure, CISSP or other security certifications) that demonstrate expertise in IT systems, infrastructure, or security. A Master's degree in IT, Information Systems, or Business Administration can be an advantage.
• Strategic Planning: Experience in developing IT roadmaps or contributing to long-term IT strategy. Proven success in executing infrastructure upgrades or migrations (for example, data center refreshes, system integrations, or cloud-adoption projects) while minimizing impact on business operations.
• Vendor & Budget Management: Strong skills in managing vendor contracts, software licenses, and IT budgets. Experience negotiating with technology vendors and ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met for critical support contracts.

Sumeet Chhatwal
Sr Technical Recruiter
Lenmar Consulting, Inc.
1440 Plaza Five, Suite 1440
Harbor side Financial Center
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Ph: Ext 4012, Cell