Director, IT

at  OakFort CAN HQ Support Office

WHY OAK?

OAK + FORT is a fashion and lifestyle brand that provides attainable luxuries consisting of modern essentials in full collections of womenswear, menswear, accessories, jewelry, beauty, and homeware. We are a female-founded and led business that is brought together by a passionate group of people with a natural bond over an aesthetic vision that radiates throughout our collections. From our first studio that opened in 2010 in Vancouver, BC, we now have 40+ locations across North America with a global e-commerce presence.
At the heart and core of it all, it’s our people that matter most. We offer a work ethos that is driven by endless passion, intellectual curiosity, and perennial creativity. Here you get the opportunity to influence our global strategy and growth, while working alongside incredibly talented people.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

As the Director, IT, you will play a key role in the senior management team as well as the organization as a whole. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing all aspects of IT and technology within the organization including but not limited to high level strategic planning, execution and implementation, as well as the day-to-day operations, ensuring performance and work processes are optimized to achieve defined KPI’s. As Director, IT, you will also be responsible for growing and developing your team members.

WHAT YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Hardware, Software and Infrastructure:

• Ensure all programs and systems are running smoothly at all times, some examples include but not limited to the company network and servers, ERP system (NetSuite), Accounting system, POS system, phones, computers, printers, security cameras, etc.
• Ownership of NetSuite: ex. act as the NetSuite Administrator, NetSuite SCA Developer and NetSuite Support Case Management
• Develop and maintain company websites (Shopify+)
• Evaluate the efficiency existing hardware and programs on a regular basis, recommend solutions to improve efficiency of the operations
• Assess and evaluate the existing network and network requirements on a regular basis, recommend solutions to allow the company to operate at maximum efficiency

Cybersecurity:

• Develop, implement, and enforce robust IT security policies, covering data protection, network security, and incident response.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and legal regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
• Lead cybersecurity initiatives, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and implementing security awareness training for all employees.

Support:

• Provide and implement technical support and recommendations for any software, hardware and network connectivity issues across all stores, staff and offices
• Maintain and improve internal Help Desk ticketing system; Provide tier 3 help desk support when required
• Provide technological administration support for Accounting, Retail, E-Commerce, ICT

Warehouse operations

• Provide user training, support, advice and feedback – from general user guidance to special project roll-outs
• Support the E-Commerce department in the roll out of new campaigns, initiatives and implementation
• Support the implementation of digital marketing initiatives through tag, pixel placement, etc.
• Develop, implement and educate IT related policies, ex. security policy
• Collaborate with various departments to plan, implement and support IT projects

Operations:

• Oversee the company’s technological workflows
• Ensure site uptime and optimal load times exceeding industry standards
• Conceptualize and implement technology for new retail stores and warehouse operations
• Participate in new store opening – plan and coordinate the required software and hardware to ensure a smooth technical launch
• Continuously evaluate and implement cost saving initiatives across existing company service agreements and technical infrastructures
• Evaluate the operations of the company systems on a regular basis, recommend solutions to improve efficiency of the operations
• Source competitive quotes for all IT related purchases for the organization
• Review and report IT expenditures against budgets
• Maintain accurate records for all tangible and intangible technical assets in the company some examples include but not limited to computers, monitors, printers, user accounts, licenses, etc.

Budgeting and Vendor Management:

• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring alignment with business goals and fiscal responsibility.
• Lead vendor selection and contract negotiations, ensuring cost-effective procurement of IT solutions and services.
• Monitor service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure vendor performance meets expectations.

People Management:

• Optimize team performance: set goals, measure progress, provide feedback, give clear directions, encourage critical and business thinking, etc.
• Empower the IT and technical teams to present ideas for new initiatives
• Participate in annual performance meetings and recommend S.M.A.R.T objectives for each team member
• Actively participate in the succession planning process, identifying and developing the next successor