Director of Infrastructure, Cloud & Cybersecurity
Kreate · Sarasota, Florida, United States
We are seeking a hands-on Director of Infrastructure, Cloud & Cybersecurity to lead the architecture, security, modernization, and operational governance of our enterprise technology environment.
This role will own the technical strategy and architecture for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure, Intune, networking, endpoint management, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
A major initial responsibility will be leading our evolution from an MSP-owned technology environment to a company-owned, co-managed operating model. The Director will establish internal ownership of core platforms, administrative access, architecture, security standards, licensing, and vendor relationships while continuing to leverage our MSP and other partners for operational support and specialized expertise.
This is not simply a vendor-management position. The successful candidate must have sufficient technical depth to understand, challenge, design, and troubleshoot the environment while establishing the standards under which external providers operate.
Key Responsibilities
Cloud & Microsoft Platform
- Own the architecture and governance of Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure and Intune.
- Establish and maintain identity, authentication, Conditional Access, MFA, RBAC and privileged-access standards.
- Lead endpoint-management strategy including Intune, Windows Autopilot, device compliance, application deployment and mobile-device management.
- Establish cloud architecture, security, availability, backup and disaster-recovery standards.
- Develop automation using PowerShell, Microsoft Graph and other appropriate technologies.
Infrastructure & Networking
- Own enterprise infrastructure architecture across corporate offices and manufacturing facilities.
- Establish standards for LAN/WAN, wireless, firewalls, switching, internet connectivity, servers, virtualization and cloud infrastructure.
- Ensure infrastructure is resilient, scalable, monitored and appropriately documented.
- Partner with plant and application teams to ensure reliable connectivity for manufacturing systems and operational technology.
Cybersecurity
- Own the company's infrastructure cybersecurity architecture and technical security roadmap.
- Implement and continuously improve Zero Trust principles across identity, endpoints, networks and cloud services.
- Oversee endpoint protection, vulnerability management, SIEM/MDR, security monitoring and incident-response capabilities.
- Establish security baselines and ensure technology environments comply with company cybersecurity policies.
- Lead technical response and coordination during cybersecurity incidents.
MSP & Vendor Management
- Define the operating model and division of responsibilities between internal IT and managed service providers.
- Lead the transition of appropriate technology platforms, licensing, administrative authority and vendor relationships from MSP ownership to company ownership.
- Establish clear SLAs, escalation procedures, performance metrics and accountability for MSP services.
- Ensure the company maintains appropriate administrative access, documentation and institutional knowledge of its technology environment.
- Manage infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity and telecommunications vendors and contracts.
Leadership & Governance
- Serve as the company's senior technical authority for infrastructure, cloud, identity and cybersecurity.
- Develop technology standards, reference architectures, policies and operating procedures.
- Partner with Business Applications, Data/AI, Operations and plant leadership on technology initiatives.
- Develop infrastructure and cybersecurity roadmaps aligned with company growth, acquisitions and integration requirements.
- Build internal technical capabilities while determining where managed services provide greater scalability or specialized expertise.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise infrastructure, cloud, networking or cybersecurity, including leadership responsibility.
- Strong hands-on knowledge of Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure and Microsoft Intune.
- Deep understanding of identity and access management, Conditional Access, MFA, RBAC and privileged-access concepts.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise networking, firewalls, wireless, VPN, switching and multi-site connectivity.
- Experience with endpoint security, EDR/XDR, SIEM/MDR, vulnerability management, backup and disaster recovery.
- Demonstrated experience working with and governing MSPs, MSSPs and other technology providers.
- Experience designing or operating hybrid and cloud-first Microsoft environments.
- Strong understanding of Zero Trust architecture and modern cybersecurity practices.
- Experience supporting multi-site organizations; manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
- Ability to communicate technical risks and architectural decisions clearly to executive leadership.
Preferred Experience
- Experience transitioning from an outsourced/MSP-led environment to a co-managed IT operating model.
- Experience with Microsoft Defender, Azure networking and security services, Windows Server and Active Directory.
- Experience with Cisco Meraki or comparable enterprise networking platforms.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations or rapidly growing multi-site organizations.
- Familiarity with manufacturing environments, ERP systems and operational technology.
- Relevant Microsoft, Azure, networking or cybersecurity certifications are beneficial but not required.
What Success Looks Like
During the first year, this leader will establish clear company ownership and governance of the core technology environment, develop a documented enterprise architecture, strengthen identity and cybersecurity controls, clarify the division of responsibility between internal IT and the MSP, and create a scalable infrastructure platform capable of supporting continued growth and acquisitions.
The objective is not to eliminate managed services. It is to create an operating model in which the company owns its technology architecture, standards, security and accountability while using strategic partners to provide operational scale and specialized expertise.
Company Details:
- Location: Sarasota, FL
- This position will report to the VP of IT
Kreate is an equal opportunity employer. The Statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.