Role description
Director, IT
TENEX.AICompany Overview:
TENEX is an AI-native, automation-first, built-for-scale Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider. We are a force multiplier for defenders, helping organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture through advanced threat detection, rapid response, and continuous protection. Our team is composed of industry experts with deep experience in cybersecurity, automation and AI-driven solutions. Backed by leading investors, we are rapidly growing and seeking top talent to join our mission of revolutionizing the AI-Native MDR landscape.
We’re a fast growing startup backed by industry experts and top tier investors led by Crosspoint Capital Partners and also backed by Shield Capital, DTCP (formerly Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners), Deepwork Capital, and the Florida Opportunity Fund. Seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). As an early employee, you’ll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture. Get in on the ground floor. We’re a small but well-funded team that just raised a substantial round – joining now comes with limited risk and unlimited upside.
Culture is one of the most important things at TENEX.AI—explore our culture deck at culture.tenex.ai to witness how we embody it, prioritizing the irreplaceable collaboration and community of in-person work.
Position Summary:
The Director of IT will own TENEX.ai's internal Information Technology function end to end: strategy, operations, tooling, vendors, budget, and team. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can set a clear IT vision for a fast-growing, remote-friendly, security-conscious company, and then build and run the operating model that delivers it. The Director of IT will lead the IT administrators, ensure employees have secure, reliable, and well-supported technology from their first day, and scale IT operations as the company adds people, offices, and systems.
The role also supports TENEX's certification and compliance commitments, including FedRAMP, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, and SOC 2 Type II, by owning the IT systems, controls, and evidence those programs depend on.
Key Responsibilities:
IT Strategy & Leadership
Develop and maintain the IT roadmap, aligning technology investments to company growth and the needs of the business. Own the IT budget, forecasting, and vendor spend. Establish IT policies, standards, and operating procedures, and report on IT status, risks, and progress to the CISO and executive leadership. Build the case for, and execute, IT staffing plans as headcount and office footprint grow.
Team Management
Directly manage the IT administrators, providing coaching, prioritization, performance management, and career development. Define roles, on-call and support coverage, and service-level expectations. Hire, onboard, and develop IT team members as the function scales.
End-User Computing & Endpoint Management
Own the lifecycle of company-issued devices, including procurement, provisioning, configuration, patching, refresh, and retirement across macOS, Windows, and mobile platforms. Manage the mobile device management (MDM) platform and standard device builds. Oversee asset inventory and ensure accurate tracking of hardware and software.
Identity, Access & SaaS Administration
Administer the corporate identity provider and single sign-on, including user provisioning, role and group management, and multi-factor authentication. Own joiner/mover/leaver processes so that employee access is granted, changed, and removed accurately and on time. Manage the SaaS application portfolio, including licensing, renewals, integrations, and application owner relationships.
Helpdesk & Employee Experience
Run the internal IT helpdesk and ensure employees receive fast, courteous, and effective support. Define ticketing workflows, knowledge base content, and self-service options. Track and improve support metrics such as response time, resolution time, and employee satisfaction.
Corporate Infrastructure & Networking
Oversee corporate infrastructure, including collaboration platforms, email, file sharing, networking, Wi-Fi, VPN/zero-trust access, and any on-premises or cloud-hosted internal systems. Plan for business continuity, backup, and recovery of corporate IT systems. Lead IT planning and buildout for new office locations, including the transition from flexible or co-working space to long-term leased offices.
Software Integration, Process Automation & AI Enablement
Lead enterprise-level SaaS integrations across business functions to eliminate silos and create seamless data flows. Digitally transform and streamline internal processes to maximize operational efficiency, and drive company-wide adoption and optimization of AI tools and workflows across all departments.
Oversee corporate infrastructure, including collaboration platforms, email, file sharing, networking, Wi-Fi, VPN/zero-trust access, and any on-premises or cloud-hosted internal systems. Plan for business continuity, backup, and recovery of corporate IT systems. Lead IT planning and buildout for new office locations, including the transition from flexible or co-working space to long-term leased offices.
Certification & Compliance Support
Support TENEX's FedRAMP, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, and SOC 2 Type II efforts, along with other certifications the company may pursue, by implementing and operating the IT controls those frameworks require. This includes endpoint configuration and patching, identity and access management, access reviews, asset inventory, device and media handling, backup and recovery, and onboarding and offboarding procedures. Collect and maintain IT evidence for audits and assessments, respond to IT-related requests from auditors and assessors, and remediate IT findings on agreed timelines. Where a framework imposes additional requirements on corporate systems, such as FedRAMP boundary, personnel, and system-environment requirements, plan and carry out the IT changes needed to meet them.
Vendor & Contract Management
Evaluate, select, negotiate, and manage IT vendors, resellers, and managed service providers. Hold vendors accountable to service levels and drive cost optimization without compromising reliability.
Operational Alignment with Security Policy
Ensure IT systems and practices operate in line with the security policies and standards established by the CISO's organization, and respond promptly to IT-related requests arising from those standards.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
8+ years of experience in IT operations or corporate IT, with at least 3 years in a management or director-level leadership role.
Proven experience leading and developing IT administrators or similar technical teams.
Deep hands-on experience with identity and access management (e.g., Okta, Entra ID, Google Workspace), endpoint management (e.g., Jamf, Intune, Kandji), and SaaS administration.
Strong vendor management, budgeting, and procurement skills.
Experience operating IT controls in an environment audited against a recognized framework such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present to executive stakeholders and external auditors.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a security-focused company, such as an MDR/MSSP, or other technology-driven, high-growth environment.
Experience supporting a FedRAMP authorization or other U.S. federal compliance program, or ISO 42001 or other AI management system certification.
Experience building IT for a distributed workforce and standing up new physical offices.
Familiarity with ITIL or similar service management practices.
Experience integrating AI-enabled tools into IT operations and employee workflows.
Relevant certifications such as ITIL, CompTIA, or vendor-specific credentials.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 90 days, the Director of IT will have assessed the current IT environment, met with every function to understand its needs, and built a prioritized IT roadmap with quick wins identified. Within 6 months, the IT team will operate with clear roles, documented processes, and measurable service levels, with consistent and secure employee onboarding and offboarding, and IT controls and evidence mapped to the requirements of each active certification. Within 12 months, TENEX will have a scalable IT operating model that supports company growth, additional offices, an excellent employee technology experience, and audit cycles that pass without IT findings.
Why Join Us?
Opportunity to set the threat-research direction at an MDR company changing the space, with the influence and growth of a founding technical voice.
Collaborate with a talented and innovative team focused on continuously improving security operations.
Competitive salary and benefits package.
A culture of growth and development, with opportunities to expand your knowledge in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
If you're passionate about combining cybersecurity expertise with artificial intelligence and have experience with MS Sentinel, Google SecOps and Chronicle, we encourage you to apply!