Director of IT – Automation

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop the IT roadmap encompassing enterprise technology, support, security, and automation.

• Lead IT support, endpoint management, and major incident response initiatives.

• Define the IT operating model and team structure as Appen expands.

• Oversee the health, configuration, and integration of Appen's core enterprise technology environment.

• Provide technical guidance across Microsoft 365, including administration, identity management, access, and security.

• Supervise environments including Salesforce, Workday, Atlassian, AWS, Databricks, and Anthropic.

• Manage IT's responsibilities regarding SOC 2 and ISO 27001, including controls, audit readiness, evidence collection, and remediation efforts.

• Ensure the maintenance of security, access, and endpoint controls while identifying technology and operational risks.

• Establish governance protocols for AI usage within IT.

• Implement AI, automation, agents, and self-service solutions for help desk triage, onboarding, provisioning, IT management, and vendor oversight.

• Utilize Claude, Cowork, agents, and AI-enhanced workflows to develop and refine solutions.

• Collaborate with Engineering and Product on extensive automation projects.

• Manage technology vendors, overseeing selection, negotiation, performance evaluation, and contract renewals.

• Drive license rationalization, vendor consolidation, and technology cost optimization efforts.

• Monitor technology expenditures and collaborate with Finance on investment strategies.

• Build and nurture a high-performing IT team across support, enterprise technology, and automation functions.

• Foster a culture centered on problem-solving and accountability.

⛳️ Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in IT, with substantial leadership roles.

• Proven track record in leading IT, encompassing IT support and service delivery, in a dynamic technology, software, or services setting.

• Hands-on expertise with Microsoft 365 and enterprise IT administration.

• Technical credibility across enterprise SaaS, cloud infrastructure, endpoints, identity management, and integrations.

• Ability to diagnose issues, challenge technical decisions, and comprehend system functionalities.

• Experience with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and IT security governance practices.

• Strong commercial insight in vendor management, negotiation, and technology expenditures.

• Demonstrated success in leveraging AI and automation to create effective solutions for real-world IT challenges.

• Executive presence with the capability to establish credibility with senior leaders, technical teams, and vendors.

• Proactive, resourceful, and adept at navigating uncertainty.

• Particularly advantageous: extensive AWS experience, cloud cost management, Salesforce, Workday or Atlassian administration, familiarity with Databricks or Anthropic, and exposure to DevOps/SRE.

🏝️ Benefits

• Permanent - Regular Full-time employment.

• Remote work opportunities within the US.