Director, Infrastructure

Mazda North American Operations

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Infrastructure is responsible for leading and executing the strategic vision for Enterprise Infrastructure, End-User Support, and Enterprise Solutions, ensuring operational excellence, innovation, and alignment with the organization’s business goals. This role oversees the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable, secure, and high-performing IT infrastructure solutions, fostering a seamless employee experience while driving cloud modernization, digital transformation, and technology-driven efficiencies. With a strong focus on resiliency, security, and cost-effectiveness, the Director ensures that global IT operations run efficiently and support the evolving needs of the business. This individual provides leadership across networking, data centers, telephony, and enterprise IT operations, while also managing end-user computing, collaboration tools, and digital workplace technologies to enhance productivity and service delivery. Additionally, they will oversee Audio/Visual infrastructure, Corporate Security systems, and Studio 7 production technologies, ensuring these solutions meet enterprise standards for quality and reliability. By collaborating with executive leadership, business units, and vendors, the Director will drive strategic IT investments, enhance risk management and compliance practices, and cultivate a high-performing IT team. Through innovation and operational excellence, this role will play a pivotal part in strengthening the enterprise IT ecosystem and ensuring long-term business success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
12+ years of experience in the IT field or related business area required, to include:
7+ years’ experience serving as a global IT leader with budgetary responsibilities
5+ years’ experience leading and managing large teams, including cross-functional teams, including outsourced vendors
3+ years managing enterprise solutions such as Audio/Visual systems, security systems, and event production technologies.
3+ years managing complex cloud migration projects from planning to execution, including assessment, optimization, and workload transitions to cloud platforms.
3+ years’ experience leading high priority incidents and building the necessary response protocols as well as executive level communications
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong ability to balance priorities and driving to execution
Ability to develop and integrate new ideas and initiatives that improve the performance of the organization
Ability to manage complex customer interactions, products, and services.
Strong understanding of multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments required.
Advanced level knowledge and understanding of monitoring tools, networks, servers, incident management best practices, and user support/client experience strategies
Expertise in IT infrastructure, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Private-Cloud Architecture), virtualization technologies, storage solutions, and network architecture.
Proficiency in cloud architecture design, covering networking, storage, compute, security best practices, and migration strategies (e.g., "lift and shift," re-platforming, re-factoring).
Proven experience managing cloud migration projects, from planning to execution, including defining scope, timelines, and deliverables while overseeing supplier networks.
Strong project management skills, ensuring complex project are delivered on time and within budget.
Deep understanding of IT governance and regulatory compliance, particularly for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and captive auto finance.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
ITIL, PMP, or other relevant certifications.

Nice To Haves

Cloud certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive IT Operations strategy, integrating infrastructure services, collaboration tools, system monitoring, recovery, and environment management in a global 24X7 framework.
Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives ensuring scalability, security, and cost efficiency while aligning with industry best practices.
Provide and maintain a strategic robust technology roadmap for oversight for enterprise IT services, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and emerging technologies.
Develop and maintain a robust technology roadmap for infrastructure, end-user support, and enterprise solutions, incorporating long-term vision and operational priorities.
Oversee enterprise infrastructure operations, including network, data center, telephony, and system administration, ensuring high availability and performance across platforms.
Direct end-user support functions, including service desk, VIP support, virtual desktop environments, unified collaboration tools, and device management, with a focus on exceptional user experience.
Develop a strategy to provide efficient 24x7 operations through a sourcing and location strategy for Infrastructure & Operations.
Manage enterprise solutions related to Audio/Visual (AV) infrastructure, Corporate Security systems, and Studio 7 production operations, ensuring quality and reliability for all events and productions.
Monitor and provide regular updates on the overall resiliency of the IT environment (applications, infrastructure, and end-user computing).
Establish, monitor, and continuously improve SLAs, SOPs, and KPIs for all infrastructure and support services to ensure operational excellence.
Implement avenues for gaining employee feedback on their IT experience and develop action plans based on this feedback.
Create and publish IT metrics to ensure quality, timely, and consistent delivery and progress against strategy.
Conduct infrastructure and application analysis to determine cloud migration readiness.
Develop cloud migration strategies with timelines, cost estimations, and risk mitigation strategies.
Encourage implementation of innovative technologies, inclusion, outside-the-box thinking, teamwork, and self-organization.
Establish standardized cloud migration patterns and target platforms (Azure, AWS, Private-Cloud) based on business needs.
Designate target cloud (CSP: Azure, AWS, Private-Cloud) for application workloads, and select appropriate cloud services based on business needs.
Lead VM migration processes, including data migration, application re-architecture, and infrastructure configuration.
Partner with architects, product owners, and software engineers to drive delivery.
Work within and across Agile teams to design, develop, test, implement, and support technical solutions across the full stack.
Foster a culture of continuous delivery and improvement with full lifecycle ownership of delivered applications.
Manage workload transitions to the cloud with minimal business disruption, monitoring progress and addressing technical challenges.
Optimize migration infrastructure for cost-efficiency and performance improvements.
Implement cloud-native architectures and leverage advanced cloud services to enhance application functionality.
Identify opportunities for innovation and digital transformation through cloud capabilities.
Deploy and support technical SWAT teams for capacity enhancement or migration support efforts.
Plan, execute, and oversee large-scale infrastructure projects, such as hardware refreshes, software upgrades, and facility expansions.
Lead budget planning and cost management for infrastructure and enterprise solutions, ensuring alignment with financial goals while delivering value.
Evaluate new technologies, platforms, and trends to identify opportunities for enhancing infrastructure capabilities and user experience.
Manage third party staff augmentation firms, leveraging staff and contractors appropriately with regards to budget, timelines, and skillsets
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including other teams in the Office of the CTO, business stakeholders, and security teams to ensure alignment and smooth migration
Communicate migration plans and progress to key decision-makers
Address concerns and manage expectations throughout the cloud transformation journey
Ensure compliance with audit, security, and regulatory standards, including internal controls and industry best practices.
Implement and maintain robust security measures for infrastructure, devices, and systems, ensuring protection against cyber threats.
Collaborate with the Cybersecurity team to ensure Infrastructure & Operations embrace and apply security strategy.
Manage disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring readiness and minimizing downtime during incidents.
Lead a multidisciplinary team across Enterprise Infrastructure, End User Support, and Enterprise Solutions, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of enterprise architects and digital transformation professionals.
Provide operational leadership for direct reports and managed service providers, ensuring day-to-day activities are aligned with organizational priorities.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the digital and IT teams, encouraging collaboration and quality in all initiatives.
Provide coaching and manage the performance of staff, promoting teamwork, accountability, and a commitment to excellence across the team.
Manages the performance of direct reports by developing accountabilities, establishing performance objectives, providing career counseling, feedback and guidance and ensuring that all policies are understood and adhered to.
Partner with Human Resources for talent acquisition, training, and development to build a high-performing team aligned with organizational needs.
Promote adherence to company policies, including the MNAO Code of Conduct and security practices.