Director of IT and Security

Location: Costa Rica or North America or LATAM

SweetRush has an exciting opportunity for a talented professional to lead our IT and Security team!

Who We Are

At SweetRush, we believe that when you put people at the center of business, magic happens. As a global leader in learning and development, we blend high-end storytelling, emerging tech like AI and VR, and deep psychological insights to help organizations—from iconic global brands to essential nonprofits—flourish. We are a remote-first, tight-knit community built on a foundation of radical empathy and creative excellence. Our work isn’t just about the awards we win with incredible partners such as Hilton, Google, Bridgestone, Adidas, SHRM, and numerous others; it’s about balancing profit with a genuine desire to spread good in the world. If you are a caring innovator who believes work should be life-centered and impactful, then this is where you come in…

About the Opportunity  

The Director of IT and Security serves as a strategic leader in the organization’s technology landscape, responsible for overseeing all aspects of IT strategy, security, and operational management. This role requires a strong focus on aligning technology initiatives with business objectives while ensuring the highest standards of data integrity and security. The ideal candidate will foster innovation within the IT team, manage budgets effectively, and implement best practices for technology governance, security, and compliance.

Location: North America or LATAM
Contract Type: Full-Time Employment
Start Date:  ASAP 

SweetRush is a remote organization, and as such, all resources must be technically savvy, have access to a strong internet signal, be comfortable with virtual/instant messaging and conferencing tools, and generally be available during established working hours.

Key Responsibilities 

Vision and Strategy

• Develop and implement a forward-looking IT and security strategy that aligns with SweetRush’s goals and enhances overall organizational impact.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to assess and respond to current and future technology needs and opportunities.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements to track IT performance and service delivery.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and inspire the IT and security team, promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance assessments and provide professional development opportunities for team members.

Project Management

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of IT projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and completion within established timeframes and budgets.
• Utilize structured approaches to support the planning and execution of IT initiatives, ensuring process efficiency and effectiveness.

Security Governance

• Ensure the security, integrity, and availability of data and IT systems by implementing robust security measures, including access controls, monitoring, and incident response protocols.
• Create and customize homegrown tools for security validation and access control, ensuring they are effectively integrated into existing security frameworks.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans to mitigate the impact of potential IT disruptions and enhance organizational resilience.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards regarding data privacy and information security.
• Ensure annual SOC2 recertification, including engaging and managing the third-party vendor, along with managing the internal process.

Technology Infrastructure and Operations

• Lead the design and implementation of a scalable and secure technology infrastructure that supports operational needs, including cloud and on-premises solutions.
• Manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective resources while optimizing technology investments and contract negotiations.

Innovation and Emerging Technologies

• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends, proactively identifying opportunities for adoption to enhance operational effectiveness and drive innovation.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate new technologies effectively and leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence to support strategic decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring alignment on technology initiatives and fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Provide timely support to other departments, especially sales and legal, for client-facing opportunities and documents
• Advocate for technology initiatives that enhance organizational capacity and deliver measurable impact.

Qualifications  

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in IT management, with strong expertise in technology operations and security oversight.
• Equivalent technical experience and accomplishments will be considered in lieu of formal educational qualifications.
• Proven experience leading IT teams and managing cross-functional projects, with a track record of successful technology strategy implementation.
• Deep hands-on experience in Linux environments, as well as a strong foundation in security best practices and compliance standards.

 Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build trusting relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and execute tactically.
• High level of emotional intelligence, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Passion for technology and innovation, with a proactive approach to staying ahead of trends and challenges in the IT landscape.

SweetRush Is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, or belief; national, social, or ethnic origin; sex (including pregnancy); age; physical, mental, or sensory disability; HIV status; sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; family medical history or genetic information; family or parental status; or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. SweetRush will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We encourage applicants of all ages.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Call to Action: Submit Your Resume!

Team chemistry is everything to us, so our ultimate goal is to find the right fit. If the above describes your interests and experience, and you believe this will be a dream job, please submit your resume. We are excited to hear from you!

Please note: We're all about remote work and have collaborators based all around the world; however, SweetRush is a US-based company, and English is our primary language. If you'd like to be considered for this opportunity, please submit your resume in English.

SweetRush believes in transparency and fairness. And for that reason, all of our active searches are available on the SweetRush “Join Us” page at https://www.sweetrush.com/join-us/.  You can also find our openings posted on our LinkedIn company page under the “Jobs” tab at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sweetrush/jobs/. 

Unfortunately, cybercriminals take advantage of good people. Please know that SweetRush would never ask for your personal information, such as SSN, banking information, credit cards, etc., during the application or interview process. Always be mindful to protect your personal and financial information, and use careful judgment when providing information to talent acquisition professionals.