IT Operations Manager (Hands On)

IT Operations Manager (Hands On)

Location: Cockeysville, MD (Hybrid)

You’re the person everyone comes to when technology HAS to work.

You enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and making technology simpler—not more complicated. You're just as comfortable provisioning a laptop for a new employee as you are participating in a client security audit, reviewing Microsoft 365 security settings, or explaining a technical issue to senior leadership in plain English.

If you've spent your career wearing multiple IT hats in a small to mid-sized organization, this could be exactly the opportunity you've been looking for.

We're seeking a

hands-on IT Operations Manager

to own and execute the day-to-day technology operations supporting our nationally distributed workforce. This is a

working manager

role—not one where you'll simply delegate work to others. You'll be the primary technology leader responsible for maintaining secure, reliable systems while partnering with our Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) to strengthen our internal IT capabilities.

We want someone who can be innovative and help our teams work more efficiently using the systems we have and who can take those systems, like Microsoft 365, to the next level.

Our environment is highly regulated. We support clients who trust us with sensitive information, so security, compliance, and operational excellence are part of everything we do.

This role is for you if...

• You still enjoy being hands-on with technology every day.
• You've supported Windows-based environments and Microsoft 365 extensively.
• You understand that cybersecurity is about people, processes, and technology—not just firewalls.
• You've participated directly in HIPAA, client security assessments, cyber insurance reviews, or other compliance audits.
• You know how to balance business needs with security requirements.
• You enjoy finding practical, cost-effective solutions rather than throwing money at problems.
• You're comfortable making decisions independently while communicating clearly with non-technical leaders.
• You take ownership and don't wait for someone else to solve problems.

This probably isn't the right opportunity if...

• You're looking for a large enterprise IT management position where you primarily manage people or vendors.
• Your experience has been focused primarily on software development or network engineering.
• You prefer designing enterprise infrastructure over owning day-to-day IT operations.
• You've never personally participated in compliance audits or security assessments.
• You enjoy strategy but no longer want to perform technical work yourself.

What You'll Do

As our Systems Administrator / IT Operations Manager, you'll own technology operations across the organization, including:

• Administering Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, Entra ID (Azure AD), Teams, SharePoint, and Windows environments.
• Managing user provisioning, onboarding, offboarding, VPN access, endpoint configuration, and hardware deployment for a remote workforce.
• Supporting Windows desktops, laptops, servers, printers, and related infrastructure.
• Managing software licensing, asset inventory, and lifecycle planning.
• Serving as the primary liaison with our Managed Security Service Provider and other technology vendors.
• Participating in security audits, client security questionnaires, cyber insurance renewals, and compliance initiatives.
• Monitoring cybersecurity controls, endpoint protection, backups, user permissions, and security best practices.
• Supporting our customized business applications through testing, deployment coordination, and issue resolution.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, AI, and process improvements while maintaining strong governance and security.
• Managing technology within realistic budgets, making thoughtful recommendations that maximize value.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who brings practical experience—not just technical knowledge.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressively responsible Systems Administration or IT Operations experience.
• Strong Microsoft 365 administration experience, including Exchange Online, Entra ID, Teams, SharePoint, and Windows environments.
• Experience provisioning users, endpoints, and remote access.
• Experience supporting a Windows-based organization.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity principles, endpoint security, user access management, backups, and disaster recovery.
• Experience participating directly in compliance audits, client security reviews, HIPAA environments, cyber insurance renewals, or similar regulated environments.
• Excellent troubleshooting, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into language business leaders understand.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare, healthcare technology, transportation, legal, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience working alongside a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP).
• Familiarity with HIPAA, PII, PHI, security questionnaires, and vendor risk assessments.
• Experience supporting organizations with approximately 50–500 employees.
• Industry certifications such as Security+, Network+, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft 365, Azure Administrator, or equivalent.

Why You'll Enjoy This Role

This position offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact. You'll have ownership, visibility, and the ability to influence technology decisions while remaining technically engaged. If you're energized by improving operations, strengthening security, solving real business problems, and helping a growing organization succeed, we'd love to meet you.

If you're the kind of IT professional who enjoys rolling up your sleeves, thrives in a collaborative environment, and believes the best technology solutions are both secure and practical, we encourage you to apply.

Work Environment

This position is primarily onsite, allowing only 1 day a week to work from home and when the other team member is OOO, you'll be required to work the whole time in office. The job requires dedicated and uninterrupted time identical to the conditions of working in an office environment when working from home. The content of information received and communicated contains confidential information, including PHI.

While performing the duties of this job, it is the responsibility of this position to make all efforts to secure the clients confidentiality and always protect clients PHI information. The hybrid worker must abide by the Remote Work Policy.

Pay on this role is between 115K-130K. ASAP provides a full array of benefits to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO/Sick leave, and 401(k).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, transfer, or promotion without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information marital status, veteran status or any other protected status under federal and state laws.

ASAP provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.