SBA Communications

Director, Service Desk Operations

SBA Communications$120K — $150K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS or equivalent.
  • 10+ years in IT Service Desk operations and ITSM with experience managing multi-tiered support teams and ServiceNow.
  • 7-10 years of management or director-level experience in Service Desk, ITSM, or IT operations environments.
  • Expertise in IT Service Management strategy and ServiceNow platform roadmap ownership.
  • Proven track record of leading teams to drive ITSM process maturity and platform adoption beyond traditional IT boundaries.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the Service Desk and ITSM strategy aligned with business objectives.
  • Own the roadmap for ServiceNow adoption and expansion into service catalogs beyond IT.
  • Accountable for Service Desk performance, quality, and SLA compliance.
  • Drive maturity across ITSM processes and ensure continuous improvement.
  • Establish and evolve the Service Desk KPI/SLA framework and reporting.
  • Serve as primary contact for business units and senior leadership on IT Service Desk matters.
  • Lead and develop direct reports, fostering a culture of technical ownership and accountability.

Benefits

  • Leadership development and career growth opportunities.
  • Exposure to strategic ITSM initiatives and innovation.
  • Engagement with executive-level stakeholders and teams in various business units.
  • A collaborative work environment focused on team member engagement and success.
  • Access to modern technologies and tools relevant to IT service management.
Full Job Description
Your Next Career Opportunity - Director, Service Desk Operations

The Director, Service Desk Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational accountability, and continuous evolution of the enterprise Service Desk function and the broader IT Service Management (ITSM) capability at SBA Communications. This role provides leadership over both the operational management of the Service Desk and the technical expertise that supports enterprise end-user computing. The Director is accountable for driving ServiceNow adoption and maturity by extending the ITSM platform and into other enterprise service domains. This role ensures strategic alignment between IT service delivery and business objectives, owns the SLA/KPI framework, and serves as the primary executive interface for all Service Desk and ITSM matters. The Director will drive projects and ensure proper handover from engineering and application teams for any support responsibilities required of the Service Desk, fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement. The Director will build credibility with senior leadership through proactive communication, data-driven reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to service excellence and innovation.

What You Will Do - Primary Responsibilities
  • Strategic Leadership & Business Alignment: Define and execute the enterprise Service Desk and ITSM strategy in alignment with IT and business objectives. Serve as the strategic voice for end-user services and ITSM capabilities to IT leadership, executive stakeholders, and business unit leaders. Translate business requirements into service delivery models and platform capabilities.
  • ServiceNow Platform Strategy & Expansion: Own the strategic roadmap for ServiceNow adoption across the enterprise. Drive platform expansion beyond ITSM into adjacent ITSM and other enterprise service catalogs. Partner with business units to identify service management opportunities and build business cases for platform investment.
  • Operational Accountability: Maintain overall accountability for Service Desk performance, service quality, and SLA adherence while delegating day-to-day operational management to the operations management function. Establish governance frameworks, escalation paths, and performance standards. Conduct periodic operational reviews and ensure alignment between operational execution and strategic goals.
  • ITSM Process Ownership & Maturity: Own and drive maturity across ITSM processes including Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management (CAB leadership), and Service Request fulfillment. Ensure all processes are documented, enforced, and continuously improved in alignment with industry frameworks and organizational needs.
  • Metrics, Reporting & Executive Communication: Define, own, and evolve the Service Desk KPI/SLA framework. Build and deliver executive-level reporting that communicates service performance, trends, risks, and improvement initiatives. Establish a metrics-driven culture that creates accountability at every level of the organization.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Support: Serve as the primary IT Service Desk point of contact for business units and senior leadership. Build trust and alignment with executives through proactive communication and responsive service delivery. Oversee white-glove support escalation protocols for executive and VIP users.
  • Team Development & Organizational Design: Lead, mentor, and develop direct reports across both the operational management and senior technical functions. Define organizational structure, role clarity, and career pathing within the Service Desk function. Identify and develop Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to distribute technical ownership and reduce single points of dependency.
  • Vendor, Technology & Budget Management: Oversee vendor and contractor relationships, technology investments, and budget planning for the Service Desk and ITSM functions. Ensure effective lifecycle management of end-user devices, software licensing, and IT asset tracking through the ITSM platform.
  • Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Champion process improvement and automation initiatives. Evaluate emerging technologies, AI-driven support capabilities, and self-service models to improve service quality, efficiency, and user experience.
  • Completes other projects and duties as assigned.


Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Work with Talent Acquisition to recruit, interview, select, hire, and employ a talented and diverse group of high-performing team members.
  • Provide oversight and direction to team members in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures.
  • Coach, mentor, and develop team members, including overseeing new team member onboarding and providing career development planning and growth opportunities.
  • Empower team members to take ownership of their job and goals. Delegate responsibilities as needed and provide routine constructive feedback on performance.
  • Create a culture that is consistent with the organization's focus on team member engagement, and that aligns with the organization's mission, vision, and values.
  • Lead team members using a performance management and development-focused approach to assist in goal setting, two-way feedback, and performance development planning.
  • Lead team members to meet the organization's expectations for productivity, quality, and goal accomplishment.


What You'll Need - Qualifications & Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS or equivalent.
  • Minimum of seven (10) years of progressive experience in IT Service Desk operations and ITSM, including managing multi-tiered support teams, ITSM platforms (ServiceNow required), and enterprise end-user computing environments.
  • Seven (7) to ten (10) years in a management or director-level role within a Service Desk, ITSM, or IT operations environment, with demonstrated success leading teams, owning SLAs, driving ITSM process maturity, and expanding platform adoption beyond traditional IT boundaries.
  • Expert level competencies in:
    • Enterprise IT Service Management strategy and ServiceNow platform roadmap ownership
    • ServiceNow administration, governance, and cross-domain expansion (ITSM, ITAM, Workflows) KPI/SLA framework design and metric-driven performance management
    • Service Desk operations leadership and enterprise IT support management
    • Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management (CAB), and Service Request fulfillment
    • KPI/SLA framework design, executive reporting, and metric-driven performance management
    • Executive and VIP stakeholder engagement
  • Advanced level competencies in:
    • End-user device lifecycle management and Microsoft Intune
    • Vendor, contractor, and technology budget management
    • IT asset and license management
  • Strong level competencies in:
    • Process automation, AI-driven support, and self-service model development
  • Extensive experience with:
    • Business Process Improvement
    • Decision Making and Critical Thinking
    • Global Perspective
    • Knowledge of Organization
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Resource Management


Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Ability to stoop, bend, kneel or crouch.
  • Ability to stand, walk and sit.
  • Ability to reach with hands and arms.
  • Visual ability correctable to 20/20.
  • Sitting up to 90% of the day.
  • Ability to respond verbally in an understandable, professional manner in person and over the telephone.
  • Manual dexterity to input data into the computer and the calculator and operate the equipment listed above.
  • Ability to lift up to15 pounds.


Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Office/ Cubicle workspace.
  • Moderate noise level.


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About SBA Communications

SBA Communications Corporation is a first choice provider and leading owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in North, Central, and South America. By "Building Better Wireless," SBA generates revenue from two primary businesses - site leasing and site development services. SBA's primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on its multi-tenant communication sites to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts. SBA also provides site development services to wireless service providers and operators.
Learn more about SBA Communications
Size
1,596 employees
Market Cap
$30.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$24.1 million
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+7.2%
Revenue
$2 billion
NASDAQ

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