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IT Operations Manager

Chicago, IL

The IT Operations Manager is a senior, hands‑on individual contributor responsible for the firm’s IT operations, cloud infrastructure, security, and vendor‑managed services. This role serves as the internal escalation point for complex and business‑critical issues while owning the reliability, security, and scalability of the firm’s technology environment.

With deep expertise in Microsoft Azure, identity and access management, and enterprise systems, this role ensures secure, compliant, and efficient technology operations in a demanding professional services environment. The IT Operations Manager also plays a strategic role—translating business needs into practical technical solutions and developing a proactive IT roadmap aligned with firm growth and risk requirements. 

 Duties and Responsibilities 

 IT Operations & Support  

  • Act as escalation point beyond outsourced helpdesk for business‑critical issues 
  • Resolve complex user, system, access, and application issues 
  • Improve reliability, responsiveness, and accountability of outsourced IT support 

Cloud & Infrastructure  

  • Own identity and access management using Entra ID and other systems 
  • Manage Azure networking, infrastructure, VMs, storage, and backup/disaster recovery 
  • Support and deploy data analytics platforms such as Databricks and Snowflake 
  • Implement security, governance, and compliance controls within cloud environments 

Security & Compliance 

  • Own the firm’s overall security posture across endpoints, cloud, and data 
  • Implement and enforce policies related to access control, data handling, and device management 
  • Ensure compliance with client confidentiality and information‑security requirements 

Vendor & Systems Ownership 

  • Oversee MSP/helpdesk, MSSP, and other IT vendors 
  • Evaluate and implement new security, data, and productivity tools 
  • Own full system lifecycle: selection, implementation, maintenance, and retirement 

Strategic IT Leadership 

  • Translate business needs into scalable, secure, cost-effective technical solutions 
  • Build and document reliable policies and processes appropriate for a small firm in a demanding industry 
  • Develop and execute a proactive organizational IT roadmap 

Qualifications  

  • 7+ years of experience in IT operations, systems administration 
  • Experience supporting technology needs in a professional services environment strongly preferred 
  • Strong working knowledge of enterprise systems and platforms, including Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, and Azure cloud environments 
  • Experience with PowerShell, deploying infrastructure as code, and automating complex workflows 
  • Experience with enterprise backup and recovery procedures, systems performance monitoring, and the implementation, configuration, testing, and documentation of IT solutions 
  • Ability to diagnose issues, identify root causes, and propose practical, scalable solutions 
  • Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail and process improvement 
  • Professional and service‑oriented demeanor, with the ability to support executives, internal teams, clients, and external partners 
  • Clear and effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical audiences 
  • Exceptionally detail‑ and process‑oriented work style, with strong follow‑through and accountability 
  • Ability to commute to the Chicago office on Tuesdays and Thursdays 
  • No travel is required; some weekend and evening maintenance work is expected 

Culture  

We take great pride in our culture. The entire Coherent Economics team worked together to develop our Values, and each new team member must agree to uphold them. Our Core Values guide the firm's philosophy, vision, and strategy, and our Workplace Values guide our daily actions. Together, these values define who we are as a firm and as professionals. 

Among our Workplace Values, you will find critical behaviors such as "challenge, celebrate, and support each other," "every challenge is an opportunity to learn," and "offer candid, timely, and actionable feedback."  

These processes, combined with the on-the-job training and mentorship provided by our staff, will provide you with the tools and confidence to contribute in a meaningful way on every project, gain exposure to clients and experts, and advance your career. 

Salary range: $120,000-$150,000

 

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