Sr. Manager, IT

Sound is seeking a Sr Manager, IT to bolster the organization’s IT infrastructure, security, and systems leading to higher efficiency and better employee experience. We’re growing fast, and this is a critical role to develop our technology infrastructure, both in our office and across our software stack. 

The two most important needs this role will encounter in the first 90 days are 1) partner with key stakeholders to implement a security roadmap, and 2) centralize management of and support for company-wide IT infrastructure and systems. Beyond that, building out an IT infrastructure to support our company’s growth from 135 employees today to 300 over the next couple of years will be critical. Standout candidates are able to demonstrate a talent for risk assessment, response planning, and an ability to function as a player-coach while building a team. 

The Sr. Manager, IT reports to the VP, People, and is based out of our state-of-the-art life sciences lab and HQ in Emeryville, CA. The role is required to be in office at least 3 days out of the week, with the remaining days flexible on working from home or office.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain flexible, scalable, secure, and stable IT infrastructure, including basic hardware and modern SaaS stacks
• Ensure high efficacy IT security programs, including SSO, multi-factor authentication, and vulnerability testing, along with necessary training to prevent phishing and other data breaches
• Facilitate IT security audits or investigations and satisfy third-party reporting needs
• Identify technology needs and make recommendations to business decision-makers. Perform capability analysis and guide build-versus-buy decision making to properly stage both technical debt and delivery of value
• Implement company-wide technology updates and hold sessions to teach employees on new features
• Develop and implement business continuity plans, including coordinating off-line data backups
• Create and operate an IT support SOP and ticketing system, ensuring high levels of service for all employees’ IT support needs
• Establish and track dashboards, KPIs and SLAs for the IT function and share to relevant functions within the company
• Work with functional leads across the company to refine and deploy Sound's document, data, and knowledge management framework
• Build, retain, and grow the internal and external IT teams, including support technicians, service providers and vendors
• Develop and operate within an annual budget
• Must be willing and able to respond after hours in the event of an urgent need to maintain critical systems operations, or in response to security needs
• Special projects and other duties, as needed

Targeted Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar degree preferred
• Experience leading and managing large IT projects and rolling out IT infrastructure across various technologies
• Excellent working knowledge of cloud based solutions, on-premises computer systems, security, network and systems administration, databases and data storage systems, and phone systems
• Proficiency in administering Google Suite, Zoom, Slack and other common software productivity solutions
• Experience with Salesforce and NetSuite or Sage Intacct is a plus
• Excellent project management, interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• Ability to coach and train others 
• Security related certification (CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security +, SSCP) preferred 
• Passion for mission-based work, especially in sustainable food and agriculture

This role demonstrates our core values by

• Boldness: Set audacious goals and work towards achieving them with a sense of urgency. Envision and execute IT strategy that is always ahead of the organizational needs.
• Ownership: Display a high degree of accountability and bias for action. Go the extra mile to exceed expectations.
• Respect: Understand the organizational and employee needs, synthesize the feedback, and incorporate them in building IT strategy and plans. Create secure and efficient IT infrastructure leading to a great employee experience.
• Creativity: Challenge the status quo, focus on continuous improvement, and find extraordinary solutions to deliver exceptional results staying within budgets and timelines.