IT Director, Operations & Infrastructure

Who We Are

NIP Group www.nipgroup.com is a rapidly growing insurance service provider of specialty programs for commercial insurance brokers and carriers providing underwriting, distribution, product management, administration, and risk management services primarily by acting as a managing underwriter (MGA) and a Reciprocal Services Manager (RSM).

Our culture is one that empowers and encourages employees to be innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking. If you are interested in being a part of a growing, entrepreneurial spirited organization, we’d love to hear from you!

About the Position

Reporting into the CIO, we are seeking a highly skilled Microsoft Azure expert with strong leadership experience to join our Technology Team at NIP Group. As the Director, Operations and Infrastructure you will be responsible for overseeing the management and availability of technology services, and implementation of various new technology initiatives, with a particular focus on leveraging and optimizing advanced Microsoft O365 and Azure features. You will also be tasked with providing support for facilitating regulatory audits, maintain a strong cybersecurity stance, and troubleshooting various IT systems and infrastructure.

What You'll Do

• Manages, develops, and leverages internal and external teams ultimately responsible for accelerating the organization’s reputation as a state-of-the-art company, including Service Desk, Deskside Support, and IT Architecture.
• Maximize staff performance and technical expertise through clearly defined objectives, training, skill development and performance measurement.
• Lead and mentor our team of IT professionals, providing experienced guidance, offering constructive feedback, improving / automating manual processes, and demonstrate exceptional communication skills.
• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and support of all technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and security systems.
• Own corporate-wide communications on behalf of the IT Department regarding Infrastructure & Operations updates, maintenance, issues, etc.
• Focus on maximizing the potential of Microsoft advanced features and Azure cyber security features such as Threat Protection, Defender for Identity, and Azure Gateway.
• Operate a formal governance mechanism to establish and monitor effective controls for the processes and functions performed by Infrastructure and Operations teams. Support ongoing evaluations within internal audit, compliance teams, and other risk-related functions as required.
• Respond to vendor risk assessments (surveys) and ensure compliance with industry regulations such as SOC 2, HIPPA, GDPR, and states (NYCRR-500, NYDFS, CCPA, etc.).
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in the insurance industry and provide recommendations for their adoption.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
• Provide regular reports to senior management on IT performance, projects, risks, and opportunities, highlighting the effective utilization of Microsoft 365 advanced features and Azure cyber security capabilities.
• Manage our email defenses with Mimecast and Microsoft equivalent.
• Respond to Cyber security events by conducting root-cause analysis investigations and reports.
• Create and maintain excellent written documentation and self-help guides.
• Other special projects and duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in the IT technology sector, preferably in the insurance or finance industries.
• Certifications in Microsoft Azure (various).
• Experience with data integration tools and technologies (e.g., SQL, Python, ETL frameworks).
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus. Proven experience with writing PowerShell Scripts.
• Solid understanding of regulatory requirements related to data privacy and security (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Competencies

• Possess strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively manage and motivate a team. This includes providing guidance, setting clear objectives, delegating tasks, and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Demonstrated outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate complex ideas effectively.
• Proven ability to think strategically, identify technology opportunities, and align IT initiatives with business objectives.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to analyze complex data sets.

What You'll Receive

At NIP Group, we recognize there are many factors that contribute to your overall satisfaction both at work, and in your personal life. For that reason, we provide a perfect mix of compensation, benefits, company culture, and resources to ensure your everyday happiness. Below are some benefits that you’ll receive.

• Competitive compensation to reward you for your hard work every day.
• Progressive Paid-Time Off program for you to enjoy time out of the office, including time off for volunteering and life events.
• Group Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
• Pretax Health and Dependent Care Spending Accounts to ease taxes on spending.
• Discounts in retail and entertainment.