Director of IT

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>ABOUT PLACER.AI:</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Placer.ai is transforming how organizations understand the physical world. Our location analytics platform provides unprecedented visibility into locations, markets, and consumer behavior. Placer empowers thousands of customers—from Fortune 500 companies, to local governments and nonprofits— to make smarter, data-driven decisions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What sets us apart? We've built the most advanced location intelligence platform in the market while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to privacy, proving that powerful analytics and responsible data practices can coexist.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our growth reflects the market's demand: we reached $100M in annual recurring revenue within just 6 years of launching, achieved unicorn status with a $1B+ valuation in 2022, and continue to expand rapidly as one of North America's fastest-growing tech companies. We're creating a $100B+ market opportunity, and we're just getting started.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Named one of Forbes America's Best Startup Employers and a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 company, we're building a culture where innovation thrives, collaboration is the norm, and every team member contributes to reshaping how the world understands location.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>SUMMARY:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are seeking an innovative, hands-on and strategic technology leader to serve as our global Director of IT, based in Austin, TX. This role owns the entire Enterprise Technology function for Placer.ai — across all regions, including the U.S. and Israel — and is responsible for the systems, identity, endpoints, and IT services that ~500 employees depend on every day. This role requires balancing hands-on execution with strategic leadership in a lean, fast-scaling environment.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Director of IT is both a builder and an operator. You will lead a globally distributed IT team, own our identity and endpoint stack (Okta, Google Workspace, JumpCloud, Intune/JAMF), and play a leading role in Placer's AI-centric reinvention — using AI to make our IT operation faster and leaner, and putting in place the security, governance, and risk frameworks needed for the rest of the company to adopt AI safely. You will set the global IT roadmap, own the budget, and report directly into senior leadership.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This role oversees five primary pillars of Corporate IT: Help Desk, Applications, Endpoint Management, Identity &amp; Access Management, and Procurement. Ensuring these functions are aligned to deliver a secure, scalable and high-performing employee technology experience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>RESPONSIBILITIES:</strong></span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Global Leadership &amp; Strategy</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Own the global IT function end-to-end — strategy, roadmap, budget, team, and delivery — across all Placer regions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lead a globally distributed IT team across the U.S. and Israel; set goals, mentor team members, and build a high-performing, customer-oriented organization.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Set global standards for identity, endpoints, SaaS, and IT operations; drive consistency across regions while respecting local needs.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deliver KPIs and executive reporting on performance, cost, and risk; manage vendor relationships and contracts globally and drive measurable cost optimization.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Champion an efficiency-of-operations mindset across the IT org — automate aggressively, reduce ticket volume, shorten cycle times, and continuously raise the bar on cost-per-employee.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Operate effectively in a lean IT team environment while building a roadmap to scale IT capabilities, coverage and service levels globally.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Navigate cross-functional stakeholders (Revenue, Finance, Security, R&amp;D) with competing priorities and drive alignment on technology decisions that impact systems, data, and operations.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Identity, Access &amp; Endpoint Management</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Own the identity stack end-to-end: Okta SSO, SCIM provisioning, lifecycle automation, RBAC, access reviews, and integrations across our SaaS portfolio.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Manage Google Workspace administration globally, including Gmail, Drive, security controls, and access management.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Operate and evolve our endpoint management stack (JumpCloud, Intune, JAMF) across macOS and Windows; set patching, compliance, and posture standards.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drive automation across onboarding/offboarding, access requests, and asset lifecycle to reduce ticket volume and accelerate employee time-to-productivity.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drive standardization of access and identity across all enterprise applications, ensuring consistent enforcement of SSO, RBAC and lifecycle management.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>AI Adoption &amp; AI Security</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner with R&amp;D, Security, Legal, and HR on the safe, scaled rollout of AI tools, copilots, and agents to the workforce.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Help build the governance framework for enterprise AI use — acceptable-use policy, AI tool inventory, access controls, and data-handling standards — and stay current on emerging AI security risks (shadow AI, data leakage to LLMs, third-party model exposure, agentic AI).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Make IT itself AI-first — evaluate, pilot, and operationalize AI-powered IT tooling (helpdesk automation, identity copilots, endpoint analytics) to materially reduce IT cost and effort.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Evaluate technology decisions (including AI initiatives) based on total cost of ownership, factoring in operational overhead, support complexity, and long-term maintainability.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Security, Compliance &amp; Risk</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner with the Security team on identity-driven security controls, zero-trust principles, MFA, conditional access, and SaaS security posture.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support and operate within ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance programs globally; own IT-side controls, evidence collection, and audit readiness.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lead IT components of incident response, business-continuity planning, and disaster recovery for corporate systems.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oversee security of corporate systems, networks, endpoints, and SaaS services across the global user base.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>IT Operations &amp; Employee Experience</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Own the global helpdesk function and SLA delivery; build toward follow-the-sun&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coverage across U.S. and Israel time zones.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Own SaaS governance across the organization, including application inventory, SSO enforcement, vendor lifecycle management and reduction of shadow IT.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Run a global Asset Management program covering procurement, deployment, refresh, return, and decommissioning of all employee equipment.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support the full employee lifecycle in partnership with HR and Operations — from onboarding through offboarding — across all regions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Continuously raise the bar on employee IT experience: self-service, automation, knowledge base, and proactive communications.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>REQUIREMENTS:</strong></span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Experience</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Minimum 7 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Proven track record of owning IT for companies with 200+ employees (ideally 500+); experience scaling IT through high-growth phases is strongly preferred.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hands-on experience in a fast-paced SaaS, cloud, or AI-first technology company.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience leading globally distributed teams and operating across multiple regions and time zones is strongly preferred.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Technical Skills</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Deep, hands-on expertise with Okta — SAML (SSO), Groups, Rules, Workflows, SCIM provisioning, lifecycle automation and SaaS integrations (4+ years).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong administration of Google Workspace at scale — Gmail, Drive, security, DLP, and access management (4+ years).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hands-on experience with JumpCloud and/or comparable directory/MDM platforms; familiarity with Intune and JAMF for endpoint management.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience administering and integrating modern SaaS portfolios (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Atlassian, Salesforce, NetSuite, Rippling, or similar).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Solid understanding of network fundamentals, identity protocols (SAML, OIDC, SCIM), and endpoint security.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>AI &amp; Security Acumen</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Working familiarity with enterprise AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or domain-specific copilots) and a genuine interest in adopting and governing them at scale.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Awareness of AI-related security risks — shadow AI, data leakage to LLMs, third-party AI vendor risk — and the curiosity to grow this expertise as the field evolves.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Working knowledge of SOC 2 and ISO 27001; experience contributing to audits.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Leadership &amp; Soft Skills</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Highly committed, ownership-driven, and self-motivated.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong strategic thinking and prioritization; able to balance day-to-day operations with multi-quarter roadmap execution.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting to executives and translating technical topics for non-technical audiences.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Customer-oriented mindset — treats employees, vendors, and partners as customers of the IT function.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Comfortable operating across time zones in a globally distributed company (U.S. and Israel).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to introduce structure and decision-making discipline in environments with evolving processes, ensuring scalable and consistent technology operations.</span></li> </ul> <h1><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>NICE TO HAVE</strong></span></h1> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Relevant certifications: Okta Certified Professional/Administrator, Google Workspace Admin, AWS/Azure/GCP fundamentals, CISSP, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Prior experience deploying and governing enterprise AI tools, or standing up an AI Governance Council or cross-functional AI risk committee.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Familiarity with frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, ISO/IEC 42001, OWASP Top 10 for LLMs, or the EU AI Act.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience with AI-native IT tooling (e.g., AI helpdesk agents, identity copilots, automated SaaS spend management).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience working with or managing teams across the U.S. and Israel.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>WHY JOIN PLACER.AI?</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Join a rocketship! We are pioneers of a new market that we are creating</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Take a central and critical role at Placer.ai</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Work with, and learn from, top-notch talent</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Competitive salary</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excellent benefits</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The U.S. annualized pay range for this position is $200,000 - $220,000 USD. In addition, certain roles have the opportunity to earn sales-based commissions. Base pay offered within the stated range may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including job-related skills, professional experience, education and licenses (if applicable), work location and compensation market data.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Base pay is just a part of our total rewards program. Placer provides medical, dental and vision coverage as well as flexible time off, 401K and equity awards for certain roles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>NOTEWORTHY LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLACER</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCwJVdKq-mo&amp;list=PLVpWfXWcX_ax43WxXX-BII6Ndg8vQ5ced&amp;index=1" target="_blank">About Placer.ai</a></span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/12/placer-ai-a-location-analytics-startup-finds-100m-at-a-1b-valuation/" target="_blank">Placer.ai's $100M round C funding (unicorn valuation!)</a></span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">See our data in action at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.placer.ai/anchor" target="_blank">The Anchor</a></span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.placer.ai/resources/press/" target="_blank">Placer.ai in the news</a></span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCwJVdKq-mo" target="_blank">Video: About Placer for Commercial Real Estate</a></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Placer.ai is committed to maintaining a </em><a href="http://www.placer.ai/company/we-are-hiring/drug-policy"><em>drug-free workplace</em></a><em> and promoting a safe, healthy working environment for all employees.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Placer.ai is an equal opportunity employer and has a global remote workforce. Placer.ai’s applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Placer.ai applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact Placer.ai’s Human Resources Department to make the need for an accommodation known.</em></span></p>