Title                                     IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager

Department                       Information Technology

Location                             Niwot/Hybrid

ReportsTo                         Vice President, IT

The Role

Particle Measuring Systems has recently transitioned ownership of infrastructure, network, security operations, and end-user support from an outsourced managed service model to an internally led IT organization. We are now building a stronger internal Infrastructure and Operations function to support the continued growth of our global organization, improve service quality, increase accountability, and provide more proactive, business-aligned technology support.

To support our IT strategic plans, we are recruiting for an experienced IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager to lead a department of IT professionals. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both technical depth and operational discipline, with responsibility for building a reliable, secure, service-oriented infrastructure and operations function.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead the newly insourced Infrastructure and Operations team, setting direction, building internal capabilities, developing talent, and establishing a culture of ownership, accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with IT leadership and business stakeholders to align infrastructure priorities with business growth, operational resilience, Cybersecurity, compliance, and global support needs.

• Analyze the current technical environment and develop a practical infrastructure roadmap that improves reliability, scalability, security, user experience, and cost effectiveness across PMS’s global operations.

• Provide regular updates, reports, and presentations on infrastructure priorities, operational performance, risks, and improvement plans.

• Develop measurable team objectives and operational KPIs, including service levels, incident response, problem resolution, change success, asset lifecycle, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement outcomes.

Global Network Management:

• Own the design, implementation, lifecycle management, and operational performance of the global network, server, storage, endpoint, cloud, telecom, and collaboration infrastructure.

• Ensure the network's security, reliability, and scalability to support the company's growth.

• Establish proactive monitoring, alerting, capacity planning, patching, backup, disaster recovery, and lifecycle management practices to reduce business disruption and improve operational resilience.

Cyber Resilience

• Support our cybersecurity program to protect the company's assets and data.

• Oversee cybersecurity policies, procedures, and controls.

• Stay informed about the evolving threat landscape and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks.

• Work closely with Spectris Cybersecurity team to ensure alignment.

• Lead operational practices for backup/recovery, disaster recovery testing, vulnerability remediation, patch governance, audit support, and infrastructure risk management.

Operational Excellence and Proactive Support

• Move the organization from reactive ticket handling to proactive service management through monitoring, root cause analysis, automation, standard work, and recurring service reviews.

• Build and maintain runbooks, knowledge articles, support procedures, asset inventories, and operational documentation to improve consistency, resilience, and knowledge transfer.

• Lead incident, problem, request, change, and escalation management processes to ensure timely resolution, effective communication, and sustainable corrective actions.

Service Management

• Own the delivery and continuous improvement of infrastructure, service desk, endpoint, and operational support services, ensuring high levels of availability, performance, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction.

• Develop and implement service management best practices, processes, and KPIs.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to anticipate business needs, improve the employee technology experience, and ensure IT services are easy to access, consistently delivered, and aligned to business priorities.

Governance and Compliance

• Lead compliance initiatives, audits, and assessments, making sure the organization meets all required digital standards.

• Ensuring data is handled, transferred, or processed according to legal and company guidelines.

• Manage and enforce IT policies and procedures.

Technology Evaluation and Adoption:

• Stay current on relevant infrastructure, cloud, security, and operations technologies, and recommend practical improvements that support business needs.

• Recommend and implement innovative technologies to enhance company productivity and competitiveness.

Vendor Management:

• Manage strategic vendor, contractor, and technology partner relationships while ensuring PMS maintains internal ownership, technical accountability, and clear service expectations for all infrastructure-related products and services.

• Continuously evaluate processes for improvements in efficiency, quality, and safety

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  Responsibilities may evolve over time, and other related duties may be assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the company.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

• 8+ years of progressive IT Infrastructure, operations, service desk, or enterprise technology experience including 3+ years leading technical teams or managing infrastructure/operations services.

• Experience with Microsoft 365, Azure, Entra ID/Active Directory, endpoint management, identity/access management, and collaboration platforms.

• Demonstrated experience leading or transforming an internal infrastructure, operations, service desk, or end-user support team, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and capability development.

• Strong understanding of information security frameworks, standards, and best practices (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, CIS).

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management and budgeting principles.

• Knowledge of ITIL or other IT service management frameworks  

• Experience establishing operational KPIs, service level expectations, governance routines, and continuous improvement practices for internal IT services. 

• Ability to design, develop, operate, and manage Network (LAN, WAN), Server/Storage, Security, Telecom, Data Center, Unified Communications, and other Infrastructure technologies.

• Ability to coach technical staff, set priorities, manage performance and build role clarity.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Background supporting distributed/global locations and time zones.

• Ability to manage escalation and service expectations across regions.

• Understanding of business continuity needs in operational/manufacturing settings.

• Proven ability to lead through change.

• Ability to exercise discretion and ensure a high level of confidentiality.

• Experience coordinating support across manufacturing, office and remote environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred certifications include ITIL Foundation, Microsoft Azure or Microsoft 365 certifications, CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCNA/CCNP, Security+, PMP, or equivalent practical experience.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This role is hybrid, with expectations to be on-site minimum of 3-days per week.

• This role primarily operates in an office/lab/manufacturing environment.  Must be able to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods of time

• Occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs. may be required

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary range: $110,000 - $160,000 depending on experience

  • Our compensation philosophy: we offer competitive pay based on market data, including local, national, and industry benchmarks.  For new hires, offers are generally within the established min- to mid-point of the range for the role, with flexibility to recognize experience, skills, and education.  Our approach ensures fair pay internally while remaining competitive externally and allows room for growth.

• Performance bonus eligible

• Comprehensive benefits package:

  • Health coverage: medical, dental, vision, fsa, onsite clinic (CO employees), life insurance

  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match

  • Vacation, holiday, and leave policies

  • Tuition reimbursement, Employee recognition programs, Employee assistance programs

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