Director of IT Affairs - IT Business Unit

SUMMARY

We're seeking an experienced Director of IT Affairs to serve as a strategic partner to our IT Business Unit leadership team. This role will drive critical initiatives, optimize organizational effectiveness, and ensure seamless execution of our technology strategy while managing complex engineering programs and stakeholder relationships.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Partner with IT Business Unit leadership to define and execute strategic initiatives, establishing clear priorities and success metrics across engineering teams.
• Drive operational excellence by developing and implementing processes that improve efficiency, transparency, and collaboration across multiple engineering functions.
• Lead strategic planning sessions and oversee the execution of key organizational changes, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Manage complex, cross-functional projects and programs, including resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communications.
• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, providing data-driven insights and recommendations on organizational structure, talent development, and technical direction.
• Foster strong relationships with internal partners, external vendors, and executive stakeholders to advance strategic objectives.
• Oversee budget planning and resource management for multiple engineering teams and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between IT Business Unit directors and VP of IT/CTO, facilitating clear communication channels and ensuring strategic alignment.
• Orchestrate regular syncs with Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, and Product directors to ensure alignment on technical initiatives and resource allocation.
• Consolidate status updates, KPIs, and risk assessments from director reports into executive-ready briefings for the VP of IT/CTO.
• Proactively identify and escalate critical issues from director teams to the VP of IT/CTO, providing context and recommended solutions.
• Facilitate cross-functional planning sessions between director teams to resolve dependencies and optimize delivery timelines.
• Drive quarterly business reviews with director teams, synthesizing outcomes and recommendations for the VP of IT/CTO.
• Establish standardized reporting frameworks for consistent tracking and communication of director level initiatives.
• Mediate resource conflicts and priority discussions between director teams.
• Coordinate director’s involvement in strategic planning and annual budget processes.
• Lead regular director forums to share learnings, align technology standards, and drive collaboration.
• Filter and prioritize requests and communications between directors and VP of IT/CTO to ensure effective use of executive time.
• Translate executive vision and strategy from VP of IT/CTO to actionable initiatives for director teams.
• Other duties as assigned. 

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical & Engineering Leadership
  • Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale technical initiatives and managing multiple engineering teams.
  • Deep understanding of software development methodologies, IT operations, and technology infrastructure.
  • Experience in digital transformation initiatives and modernization of legacy systems.
  • Experience with agile methodologies and modern software development practices.
• Strategic & Organizational Leadership
  • Strong background in strategic planning, program management, and organizational development.
  • Experience with startup organizations and technology development initiatives.
  • Strong financial acumen and experience managing substantial departmental budgets.
  • Track record of building and maintaining high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results in complex organizational structures.
• Problem Solving & Communication
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven approach to decision making.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Education & Experience
  • 10 years of progressive experience in IT and software development leadership roles, including significant director-level experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field required; Master's degree preferred. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling, and operating office equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, such as laptops, IT equipment, or office supplies.
• Occasional standing, walking, and reaching to access files, hardware, or IT infrastructure.
• Ability to adjust focus and maintain visual acuity for reading technical documents, screens, and reports.
• Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, or company locations.
• Availability for extended or irregular hours during critical IT incidents, system updates, or emergency situations.