Director of IT & Security (Permanent – Onsite – Dallas, TX)

An opportunity has come through our network for a Director of IT & Security at a prominent food manufacturer with a national footprint. This permanent position, based onsite in Dallas, Texas, offers a competitive salary ranging from $190,000 – $220,000 annually. This is a pivotal senior leadership role, reporting directly to the CIO, where you’ll be responsible for aligning technology strategy with core business goals while ensuring unwavering operational excellence and robust security across the entire organization.

What You’ll Be Doing: Orchestrating Technology, Operations, and Security

As the Director of IT & Security, you’ll be the driving force behind the organization’s technological landscape. Your responsibilities will encompass comprehensive leadership, strategic planning, and meticulous oversight across development, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, ensuring IT directly empowers business growth.

• Lead and Mentor IT Teams: You will strategically lead and mentor IT teams across diverse functions, including infrastructure, development, and security. This involves providing clear direction, fostering skill development, setting performance expectations, and cultivating a collaborative and high-performing culture within your departments. Your leadership will inspire innovation and ensure operational excellence.
• Oversee Enterprise Applications, Network Architecture, and System Operations: You will provide comprehensive oversight for enterprise applications, ensuring their optimal performance, availability, and alignment with business needs. You’ll manage network architecture, guiding its design, implementation, and maintenance for scalability and security. Furthermore, you’ll oversee system operations, ensuring the efficient and reliable functioning of all IT systems that support the organization’s national footprint.
• Drive Cybersecurity Strategy, Compliance, and Risk Management: You will be responsible for defining and executing the organization’s cybersecurity strategy. This includes developing robust defense mechanisms, implementing security controls, and fostering a security-first mindset. You’ll ensure strict compliance with internal policies and external regulations, and lead risk management efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber threats, safeguarding the company’s critical assets and reputation.
• Manage Vendor Relationships and Service Delivery Standards: You will expertly manage vendor relationships crucial to IT and security operations. This involves overseeing contracts, evaluating vendor performance, and ensuring that all third-party products and services meet established service delivery standards. Your effective vendor management will guarantee optimal support and value from external partners.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership: You will foster close relationships and collaborate directly with executive leadership across various business units. This partnership is essential for ensuring that IT and security strategies actively support business growth through technology, translating organizational priorities into actionable IT initiatives that drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.

What You Bring to the Table: Qualifications for Strategic IT & Security Leadership

To excel as the Director of IT & Security, you’ll need extensive experience in IT leadership, deep knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, and a proven ability to manage complex technical and financial aspects within an enterprise environment.

• Educational Background: You must possess a Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred, indicating advanced academic specialization and strategic thinking capabilities. This strong educational foundation is crucial for leading diverse technology functions.
• Extensive IT Leadership Experience: You bring 10+ years of verifiable experience in IT leadership, encompassing management roles across both infrastructure and development teams. This extensive background demonstrates a seasoned leader capable of overseeing the full spectrum of IT operations and driving technological innovation in a complex organizational setting.
• Strong Background in Cybersecurity Frameworks: You possess a strong background in cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), and OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project). This knowledge ensures your approach to security is aligned with industry best practices and international standards. You also have proven expertise in risk management, enabling you to proactively identify and mitigate potential security threats.
• Proven Management Abilities: You have a proven ability to manage budgets, ensuring financial discipline and optimal allocation of IT and security resources. Your expertise extends to leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and alignment across different departments, and successfully delivering complex projects from concept to completion.
• Technical Expertise Across Domains: You bring comprehensive technical expertise across various critical domains, including cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), networking (design, security, protocols), application development (methodologies, programming languages, architectures), and managing diverse enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, CRM, specialized manufacturing systems). This broad technical acumen is essential for informed leadership.

Why This Opportunity: Impact and Growth in a Leading Industry

This permanent Director of IT & Security position offers a compelling environment for professional growth and significant impact within a rapidly expanding industry leader.

• Join a Fast-Growing, Industry-Leading Organization: You’ll have the invaluable opportunity to join a fast-growing, industry-leading organization that boasts a strong reputation for quality and innovation. This provides a dynamic environment where your contributions directly influence the company’s trajectory and competitive edge.
• Be Part of a Collaborative Leadership Team: You’ll be an integral part of a leadership team that highly values collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This fosters an environment where ideas are openly shared, responsibilities are taken seriously, and there’s a collective drive towards excellence, ensuring your leadership thrives.
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits: The role offers competitive compensation and benefits, reflecting the senior-level expertise and critical responsibilities required. This ensures that your contributions are recognized and rewarded appropriately.
• Commitment to Professional Development: The organization demonstrates a strong commitment to professional development and team member success. This means access to resources for continuous learning, opportunities for skill enhancement, and a supportive culture that empowers you to grow your career to its fullest potential within the company.