Head of Information Technology

Lead is a fintech building banking infrastructure for embedded financial products and services. We operate an FDIC-insured bank headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.  Additionally, we have offices in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and New York City, where our technical, product, design, and legal teams operate.

We are built for a constantly evolving financial landscape, where new ventures and technological advancements emerge daily. Guided by a team of entrepreneurs and technologists with decades of experience navigating intricate banking and payments regulations, Lead blends regulatory and technological expertise to help our fintech partners scale their operations with compliance and creativity.

Simply put, Lead offers the essential attributes that every fintech seeks in a partner bank. First, unparalleled technical expertise from a distinguished team of developers with an extensive understanding of the banking and payments systems. Second, oversight expertise, automated compliance systems, and bespoke program management to navigate the ever-shifting regulatory landscape. Finally, a commitment to transparency and operational rigor to ensure everyone’s money does what it’s supposed to do. 

Role Description: We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Head of Information Technology to lead and oversee the critical IT systems, applications, and operations that support the organization's day-to-day activities. This role combines expertise in IT infrastructure, operations, and team management to ensure the availability, security, and performance of systems while delivering an exceptional employee technology experience. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership ability to manage infrastructure and IT operations in a scalable, secure, and efficient manner.

This role requires a hands-on leader with a strong technical background and exceptional people management skills to support and scale IT infrastructure and operations effectively in alignment with business goals. The position will support team members in Kansas City, Missouri, and remote team members across the United States.

In this role you will:

• Infrastructure Management:
• Design, implement, and manage scalable, cloud-based IT infrastructure to support business operations.
• Maintain and optimize branch office and on-prem networking equipment, ensuring reliable connectivity with critical systems.
• Oversee administration of Windows and Linux servers, ensuring performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Collaborate with engineering and security teams to optimize infrastructure and ensure system reliability.
• System Security and Availability:
• Ensure high availability and resilience of critical systems and applications used by employees.
• Harden systems and maintain compliance with cybersecurity standards.
• Conduct regular system patching, updates, and risk assessments.
• IT Operations Oversight:
• Manage IT assets, helpdesk systems, and ticket resolution processes.
• Oversee onboarding/offboarding workflows, ensuring efficient provisioning and de-provisioning of resources.
• Lead identity and access management (IAM) to maintain secure and appropriate user access.
• Administer IT operations systems, including MDM solutions and productivity tools, and support audit requirements.
• Employee Connectivity and Productivity:
• Implement and manage remote work technologies, including remote access, VPN and virtual desktop solutions.
• Deploy and manage MDM solutions to support a diverse range of devices securely.
• Provide technical support to maximize employee productivity and ensure a seamless technology experience.
• Team Leadership and Development:
• Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing IT operations team.
• Set performance goals, provide guidance, and foster a culture of innovation and client focus.
• Strategic Planning and Improvement:
• Identify and implement new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• Align IT processes and infrastructure with organizational goals.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of systems, processes, and procedures to support operational continuity.
• All other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, related field, or equivalent work experience. Relevant certifications are a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure and operations, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Proven expertise in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), networking technologies, and server administration (Windows and Linux).
• Strong understanding of IT service management (ITSM) frameworks and tools.
• Experience in financial services or regulated industries is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with ITSM frameworks and tools, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and MDM solutions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and lead teams effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage IT assets, helpdesk systems, IAM processes, and compliance and security requirements.

What we offer:

• At Lead, we design our benefits to support company culture and principles, to foster an efficient and inspiring work environment, and to create the conditions for our team to give their best in both work and life
• Competitive compensation based on experience, geographic location, and role
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k Matching, and other wellness benefits, including FSA, HSA and HRA
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible vacation policy, including PTO and paid holidays
• A fun and challenging team environment in a dynamic industry with ample opportunities for career growth

*Lead Bank is proud to have an inclusive culture committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

*Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

**Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on geographical market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Zone 1: $140,000 - $185,000 (SF/Bay Area, NYC, Seattle)

Zone 2: $127,000 - $166,000 (Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Denver, Boston, Washington DC, San Diego, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento)

Zone 3: $117,000 - $153,000 (Other US Metros)

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