Director of Information Technology (IT)

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading sports agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Our success is rooted in our people, our high character reputation and our commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace. We focus on team chemistry, collaboration, strong relationships, valuable networks, and ambitious ideas to deliver innovative solutions that keep our clients and agency ahead of the curve.

Excel Sports Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Overview: The Director of Information Technology (IT) drives the technology strategy and operational capabilities for the company. This leader partners closely with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure that our technology resources are aligned with business objectives, and will be the primary liaison for managing our critical relationships with Managed Service Provider (MSP). This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can balance strategy, vendor management, and execution, requiring a unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and financial discipline. This role is based in our NY office.

Role and Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and own a comprehensive IT strategy and roadmap in partnership with the ELT, providing technology leadership and driving digital transformation initiatives that support business growth.

• Develop and manage the annual IT budget (OpEx/CapEx) in collaboration with the CFO, ensuring cost-effective procurement, transparent reporting, and maximum ROI on technology investments.

• Oversee all IT operations and infrastructure, ensuring the stability, security, and high availability of networks, servers, cloud environments, and end-user computing.

• Manage the lifecycle of core business applications, including selection, implementation, integration, and support, to ensure they meet evolving business needs.

• Identify and deploy AI and automation solutions to enhance productivity and decision-making.

• Act as the primary liaison for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and key technology vendors, defining service levels and managing performance, contracts, and negotiations to maximize value and mitigate risk.

• Lead the enterprise-wide cybersecurity program alongside the Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), including threat management, incident response, security awareness training, and the development of policies to protect company data and assets.

• Ensure IT compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, establish IT governance policies, and manage risk through regular audits and assessments.

• Build and lead the in-house IT function, fostering a high-performance, customer-centric culture and effectively communicating technical concepts to all business stakeholders.

Professional Qualifications

• A minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in IT, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., IT Manager, Senior IT Manager, Director).

• Demonstrated ability to create and execute a clear strategic vision that supports business objectives, and flex readily when business circumstances change.

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence all levels within an organization, most importantly at the senior executive level.

• Sharp business acumen and extremely comfortable building budgets, managing and negotiating contracts, and fostering cross-functional partnerships.

• Experience building collaborative, trusting relationships, and being comfortable working with colleagues across a range of locations and levels of technology expertise.

• Proven track record of success within a VC or private equity-backed environment is preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Master’s degree is a plus.

• Relevant professional certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or ITIL Foundation are highly desirable.

The pay range for this position is: $185,000-$215,000 per year. This position is also eligible for benefits and discretionary bonus.

Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Excel Sports Management provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation and training.