IT Manager

Position Overview

Lakeside Companies is seeking a hands-on, strategic IT Manager to drive the performance, security, and scalability of our technology environment across multiple portfolio companies. This role is ideal for a multi-disciplined IT Manager eager to step into a diverse/expanding organization. You’ll lead a team, execute IT strategy, and ensure our systems, infrastructure, and security practices support business growth, operational excellence, and long-term innovation.

What You’ll Do

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Execute IT strategy aligned with Director of IT’s developed company growth initiatives 
• Partner with cross-functional teams to execute their business needs and deliver scalable technology solutions 
• Define KPIs and metrics to measure IT team’s performance, communicate progress to Director of IT, and drive continuous improvement 
• Assist Director of IT with managing IT roadmaps, including system upgrades, new platforms, and digital transformation initiatives 

Infrastructure & Operations

• Manage and optimize enterprise IT infrastructure (network, cloud, on-premises systems, storage, and virtualization) 
• Design, implement, and maintain secure WAN/LAN environments and Microsoft 365 ecosystems 
• Ensure system reliability through patching, upgrades, monitoring, and performance tuning 
• Support multi-site operations, including periodic on-site coordination and travel as needed (potential up to 30% in Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene region)

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

• Execute cybersecurity strategy developed by Director of IT, including risk mitigation, audits, and incident prevention 
• Ensure alignment with frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI, CMMC, and other regulatory standards 
• Implement and enforce security policies (e.g., GPO, access controls, data protection practices) 
• Maintain disaster recovery, backup, and business continuity planning 

Team Leadership & Execution

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Systems Administrators, Helpdesk professionals, and/or interns 
• Manage project delivery, including ERP implementations and other enterprise systems 
• Balance strategy execution with hands-on support and technical problem-solving 
• Foster and promote a high-performance, service-oriented IT culture 

Vendor & Financial Management

• Evaluate and recommend hardware, software, and services aligned with business goals to Director of IT 
• Build and manage vendor relationships and negotiate cost-effective contracts 

What You Bring

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive IT experience, including infrastructure, systems, and security 
• 5–10+ years of experience managing IT teams or departments 
• Proven success delivering IT strategy and executing cross-functional initiatives 
• Experience in multi-site environments

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of: 
  • Network architecture (LAN/WAN) and infrastructure 
  • Microsoft 365, Active Directory, virtualization, and cloud platforms 
  • Backup/recovery, disaster recovery, and business continuity 
  • Cybersecurity tools, frameworks, and compliance standards 
• Experience implementing enterprise systems (ERP or similar) 

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate technical concepts into business value 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills 
• Highly organized, analytical, and results-driven 
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field required 
• MBA or advanced degree preferred 

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to shape and execute IT strategies across a growing, multi-entity organization 
• High visibility role with direct impact on business outcomes 
• Collaborative culture with knowledgeable and industry expert employees and strong leadership alignment 
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and access to direct primary healthcare