Manager – Information Technology & Security
About Cref
Cref is dedicated to providing strategic real estate solutions, focused on helping organizations maximize their physical infrastructure. By enhancing resiliency, improving user experiences, reducing costs, and unlocking capital, Cref plays a critical role in ensuring facilities are not just spaces but strategic assets that drive organizational success.
Redefining real estate management through innovation and strategic partnership, we specialize in offering long-term, integrated solutions tailored to address industry specific complexities. By partnering with leading operators, we focus on resolving our clients’ challenges and ensuring a streamlined approach to real estate. This approach not only fosters growth and innovation but instills a sense of purpose and achievement across all of our clients’ business objectives.
About Information Technology & Security
The Manager, Information Technology & Security is responsible for supporting the company’s software and hardware infrastructure, ensuring Cref remains a leader in technology and aligns with all business units to ensure they have the appropriate software and hardware technology to perform as a leader in their respective area. Using a variety of cloud-based strategies and technologies, the Manager, Information Technology & Security will leverage appropriate resources to ensure that IT functions of the business remain intact and continuously improve processes and procedures using technology. Security is the number one priority for the IT Manager, and therefore, the person in this role will stay current with, and employ, industry best practices to achieve this goal.
This is a generalist role within a startup environment. The ideal candidate can manage all aspects of IT and Security and has the drive and ability to move forward in their career and can scale with the company as the company grows.
Manager – Information Technology & Security
The Manager, Information Technology & Security’s core responsibilities are:
- Software and Hardware Support (for ~100 to 125 employees)
- Security & Compliance support
- Systems Integration and Administration
- Infrastructure Administration
As Cref’s Manager, Information Technology & Security, you will assist with streamlining the IT operation across the business. The Manager, Information Technology & Security will manage and support IT related activities across the organization and will provide hands-on IT support for daily operational activities. The Manager will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions across the organization for both current and future needs. The Manager will also maintain up-to-date IT policies, procedures, and best practices.
Cref has three distinct business lines, each with varying needs. It will be important for the Manager to understand the needs of each business line and build appropriate relationships to help manage and support their needs.
This role will also manage and support our existing security practice and maintain the frameworks, policies and processes we need to scale. The Manager will be responsible for supporting the strategy, roadmap development and program/project implementation of a wide array of information security services that focus on the protection of our data, technology assets, networks, and workforce identities.
Core Responsibilities
The Manager’s primary core competencies are:
- Technical Abilities
- Business Acumen
- Decision Making
- Customer/Client Focus and Support
- Communication
Information Technology
- Provides excellent support to clients and end users, both in person, and remotely across the continental United States
- Provides system administrator functions across the various software platforms the business uses; proactively managing subscriptions, users, renewals, and opportunities to make improvements
- Recommends and plans information technology to support and meet company objectives based on research and evaluation.
- Supports new/upgraded information systems via well-defined plans.
- Maintains up-to-date IT procedures and equipment for maximum efficiency and cost containment.
- Provides users/customers with professional, courteous, and timely support and service.
- Works within established department budget.
- Stays abreast of trends and regulations to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
- Manages/conducts user training.
- Maintains all IT policies, practices, and procedures, including those for architecture, security, and disaster recovery, asset management and service provision.
- Communicates effectively with Cref’s executives, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent IT activities.
Security & Compliance
- Manages Cref’s security practices and maintains best-in-class security programs and policies that are flexible enough to protect Cref and its customers without restricting growth.
- Manages compliance issues across the organization and provides hands-on support when a fix is required.
- Handles security incidents when they arise, ensuring the response is thorough and the underlying issues are addressed through collective learning and without blame.
- Works to regularly identify and remediate vulnerabilities that may impact the business.
- Ensures Cref has the highest standards of security in all customer-facing applications and cloud deployments.
- Maintains and promotes a healthy and security-conscious culture and is open and available to all employees in matters of security.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by leadership.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field
- Strong understanding of cloud technologies including SaaS and IaaS, especially Microsoft’s M365 service platform
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others and achieve desired results
- Relevant experience in information technology and cyber security
- Ground up experience originally as a network or systems administrator and/or experience in a global security provider a bonus
- Ability to communicate and manage Compliance across a diverse global organization
- Demonstrated ability to think ahead and plan over a 12–24-month time span
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively prioritize
- Experience with problem analysis and problem resolution
- Employee training and development
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a customer service focus
- Experience in compliance programs (HIPAA, SOC2, ISO 27001)
- Flexible and adaptable with the ability to work effectively in a fast-moving environment
Beneficial Skills and Experience
- Relevant certifications (CISSP, S+, PMP, M365)
- IT management within a manufacturing environment
- Technical software skills and experience
- System conversion experience
- Experience in a start-up and/or growing organization
- Experience managing change through influence
- SaaS provider experience
- Compliance experience
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Work Location
Boston, MA (Hybrid)
Travel
Up to 20%
Why Cref?
Cref is committed to finding the best talent to support our growth. Our success is rooted in our commitment to remain the leader in providing strategic real estate solutions through our dedication to continuous improvement, engaging our people, and delivering on our promise to help organizations more efficiently and productively manage their real estate assets.
At Cref, we want our employees to have a peace of mind when caring for themselves and their families. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits package, and the opportunity to work on a growing and innovative team.
Cref is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation due to a disability in order to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources at 508-562-4181 or submit a request in writing to jchace@cref.com. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, parental and marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Cref is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and represents employees across a variety of skill sets. We are dedicated to the standard of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to creating and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment.
Cref is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.