South Africa: IT Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION: IT Infrastructure Management & End User Support: Oversee and maintain IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, storage, and endpoints. Ensure the high availability and performance of mission‐critical systems. System Administration: Manage and administer enterprise systems such as ERP, WMS, CRM, and trading platforms. Maintain Active Directory, cloud services (AWS/Azure), virtualization, and backup systems. Manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls across various IT systems and applications. Develop and maintain system documentation, including standard operating procedures and configuration guides. IT Security & Compliance: Implement and enforce robust cybersecurity measures, in line with industry standards. Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements (e.g., SOC and ISO 27001). Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Respond to security incidents, conduct forensic investigations, and implement remediation measures as needed. Strategic Planning & Leadership: Align IT strategy with business goals, and contribute to long‐term technology planning. Evaluate and adopt new technologies that support operational efficiency and risk reduction. Provide strategic guidance on IT initiatives, including CRM adoption (e.g., Salesforce) and emerging technologies. Project Management: Lead IT initiatives from planning to execution, ensuring on‐time and on‐budget delivery. Coordinate cross‐functional efforts and report progress to stakeholders. Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external IT vendors, service providers, and software partners. Negotiate contracts and ensure that service levels are met. Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate IT and cybersecurity risks. Maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Staff Management & Development: Lead and mentor a small IT team, and promote a culture of accountability and growth. Oversee workload distribution, performance reviews, and skills development. Qualifications and Skills Bachelors Degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (Degree preferred). Minimum 5 years of experience in IT management, preferably within the trading or financial services industry. Strong technical expertise in IT infrastructure, systems administration, and cybersecurity. Experience managing enterprise systems such as ERP, WMS, CRM, and trading platforms. Proven track record of leading IT projects with successful, on‐time delivery. Relevant certifications, such as CISSP, PMP, or ITIL, are a strong plus. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non‐technical stakeholders effectively. Preferred Skills: Experience with Windows/Linux environments, firewalls, VPNs, and MDM tools. Strong communication and leadership skills with a proactive, solutions‐oriented mindset