IT Manager

We're seeking an experienced, hands-on IT Manager to lead the design, implementation, and operation of our IT/IS environment. You will oversee a complex, multi-site infrastructure with 24x7 uptime requirements, manage a small IT team, and drive the adoption of modern technologies that enhance security, reliability, and user experience. If you're a strategic thinker with a proven track record in Windows-heavy environments, strong DevOps interests, and a passion for building scalable, user-friendly systems, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Lead and mentor a 3-5 person IT team; drive staffing, training, and performance to deliver reliable IT services.
• Own disaster recovery, business continuity, and high-availability strategies (Microsoft Hyper-V with Storage Spaces Direct, offsite backups, tertiary redundancy).
• Design, deploy, and maintain core infrastructure: LAN/WAN, routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, virtualization, file services, AD, Exchange, SQL Server, IIS, and telephony (Asterisk on Linux).
• Manage both physical and virtual servers, endpoint devices, printers, phones, and copiers; oversee asset management and lifecycle planning.
• Lead the strategic planning and governance of the organization's Azure tenancy (Azure AD, Azure VMs, Azure Blob storage, and Enterprise applications), ensuring alignment with security, compliance, and business goals.
• Manage service providers contracts and relationships for the IT management function, including contract negotiation, vendor performance oversight, SOWs/RAs, renewals, and alignment with cost and service level objectives.
• Implement, enforce, and document IT policies and procedures covering security, backup, change management, incident response, and compliance.
• Administer user accounts, directories, access controls, and security hardening across on-prem and cloud environments.
• Lead software and hardware upgrades, patches, and migrations; test and validate upgrades with minimal downtime.
• Monitor, analyze, and optimize performance and capacity; implement automation and DevOps practices to shorten delivery cycles and improve reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support multi-platform back-end integrations and front-end applications.
• Plan and execute infrastructure updates during off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
• Support and coordinate IT operations across two data centers, two office locations, and cloud resources.

Do you have experience in Windows?, Do you have a Bachelor's degree?, * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or related field.

• 10+ years in complex IT administration; 5+ years in IT leadership/management with proven people management experience.
• Strong Windows Server expertise (2019+), AD, DNS/DHCP, Group Policy, MS Exchange, MS SQL Server (2014+), IIS and Azure Environment.
• Deep knowledge of disaster recovery and high-availability technologies, especially Hyper-V and Storage Spaces Direct.
• Experience with desktop software ecosystems (Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat, Visio, etc.).
• Familiarity with Linux/UNIX-based systems and networking/firewall gear (e.g., Juniper, SonicWall, HP/Aruba switches).
• Solid understanding of virtualization, storage, backups, and cloud integration.
• DevOps mindset with comfort in automation, scripting, and modern CI/CD practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong problem-solving and leadership abilities.
• Self-starter who works well independently and within a team; thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Nice to Have

• Certifications (e.g., MCSE/MCITP, VMware, PMP, CCNA/CCNP, Microsoft 365, Cybersecurity certificates).
• Experience with MS Storage Spaces Direct, Asterisk administration, and multi-site IT operations., * Bachelor's (Required), * IT Administration: 10 years (Required)
• IT management: 5 years (Required)
• Hyper-V: 5 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Allentown, PA 18101 (Required)

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Relocation assistance, * Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; premiums paid by the company
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option
• Competitive 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and observed holidays, Ideal Concepts, Inc. has modernized insurance through technology for over 20 years, partnering with 100+ carriers across 50 states to serve Health, Medicare, Life, Property & Casualty, and supplemental lines. We're recognized for growth and innovation, committed to integrity, ingenuity, tenacity, mastery, and simplicity. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a dynamic, inclusive workplace.

Equal Opportunity Ideal Concepts, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any type.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year, * 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance