IT Lead – Strategy, Systems & AI Enablement
Description
About MN Custom Homes
Founded in 2011 by two Bellevue locals, we have grown to become the preeminent Eastside luxury home builder today. Since Day 1 we have been driven by innovation and obsessed with setting our homes apart through their overall design and functionality. We truly get a thrill doing what we love most: building thoughtful homes that inspire community. Learn more about us and see our work at: https://mncustom.com
Why MN?
We pride ourselves on our empowered team environment and dedication to taking care of our people. We believe in setting you up to succeed with clear career progression, learning opportunities, and ownership of your role from the get-go. Accountability is huge for us, and we place a lot of trust in our employees to do the right thing. We believe that a supportive and inclusive culture yields happy people, and happy people are the most successful at what they do.
About This Role
We are looking for a strategic and hands-on IT Leader (IT Manager, Strategy, Systems & AI Enablement), to oversee our managed IT services and drive internal technology initiatives that support scale, security, and innovation. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and can balance operational oversight with forward-looking technology planning—including AI enablement.
You will be responsible for managing our MSP relationship, owning select internal IT capabilities, and leading initiatives across automation, cloud platforms, data systems, and AI adoption. You’ll also play a key role in shaping our enterprise IT architecture and ensuring our systems are secure, standardized, and future-ready.
On a Given Day, Your Work Might Include
- Serves as the primary liaison with the Managed Service Provider (MSP), ensuring high-quality service delivery and alignment with business needs.
- Defines and monitors SLAs, escalate issues, and drive continuous improvement in IT operations.
- Leads internal IT planning and budgeting in collaboration with leadership.
- Drives improvements in aspects of IT including but not limited to: SharePoint administration and governance; IT dashboards and reporting (e.g., Power BI); IT, Data, InfoSec policy development, deployment and monitoring; Device selection and lifecycle management; and Account management centralization and monitoring.
- Leads deployment and adoption of Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools across the organization.
- Develop training programs and change management strategies to support AI literacy and responsible use.
- Identifies and implements automation opportunities using tools like Power Automate, scripting, or low-code platforms.
- Oversees backend platform management, including cloud infrastructure (Azure), SaaS tools, and identity systems.
- Administers and optimizes data platforms and integrations to support analytics and reporting.
- Collaborates with data and engineering teams to ensure secure, scalable data access and governance.
- Contributes to enterprise IT architecture planning, ensuring alignment with business goals and scalability.
- Evaluates emerging technologies and recommends solutions that enhance productivity, security, compliance, and collaboration.
- Drives standardization of tools and platforms while remaining open to innovation and new ideas.
- Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer familiarity with Salesforce, Salesforce apps (TaskRay, Accounting Seed) and integrations, Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM Revit, and Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Microsoft Copilot and Agentic AI, Microsoft Power Platform.
- Knowledge of backend platform management, including cloud infrastructure (Azure), SaaS tools, and identity systems.
- Familiarity with Cloud and IT security standards and compliance requirements, such as GDPR and ISO 27001
- Knowledge of SCIM, SSO, SAML, IAM
- Knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
- Must have a solid understanding of technology, MSP, hardware, software, and project management skills.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive product initiatives from concept to completion.
- Ability to work independently with little direction or oversight.
- Ability to work in a high-growth and/or transformation-stage organization.
- Ability to adopt MN processes and standards.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision-making and measure product success.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Strong organizational and time management skills. Must be able to effectively multitask and juggle simultaneous demands while remaining flexible and efficient in a fast-paced environment.
What You Bring to MN Custom Homes
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, business, or a related field; and
- 7+ years of experience in IT leadership, system administration, and/or enterprise technology roles; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong understanding of Microsoft enterprise stack (Azure, M365, Intune, SharePoint, Power Platform).
- Experience managing MSPs or outsourced IT providers.
- Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot), automation platforms, and data systems.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to translate business needs into scalable IT solutions.
- Excellent communication, vendor management, and project leadership skills.
- Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, Power Platform, or AI Fundamentals, preferred.
- Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), preferred.
Working Environment & Physical Requirements
- Ability to work within a typical office environment; moving around from desk to conference spaces, etc., 5-days per week with core hours of 8 am – 5 pm.
- This position requires extensive use of a computer, including keyboard functions and visual acuity of 20 inches or fewer on a daily basis.
- Must be able to lift up to 10 lbs occasionally with or without accommodation.
Travel & Vehicle Requirements
- Periodic travel to a conference, another office location may be available but not required.
Employee Benefits
- 100% covered employee premiums for medical and dental self-coverage
- 100% employer-paid life insurance
- 100 % employer-paid long term disability insurance
- Paid medical and family leave
- Critical illness insurance
- 401(K) with generous company match, no vesting schedule, and access to professional financial advisors
- Lifestyle reimbursement account
- 20 days of PTO & 9 holidays
- New iPhone for your personal and business use
- Free onsite parking
- Company paid events
- Complimentary snacks & beverages
Hours & Compensation
This is a full-time position paying $120,800 - $181,200 (+ discretionary bonus). The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary range for this position. Individual placement within a salary range will vary based upon factors including but not limited to candidate experience, knowledge, individual, skills, and organizational performance.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At MN Custom Homes we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
MN Custom Homes is an equal opportunity employer