IT Operations Lead

NEON Rated is an independent film studio and distributor renowned for boundary-pushing cinema, spanning theatrical and digital/home entertainment releases. As the IT Operations Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling the technology function for a fast-growing, creative organization. This is a unique opportunity to own the end-to-end IT landscape, relieve the executive team of day-to-day IT decision-making, and build robust systems from the ground up. You will be the first dedicated IT hire, responsible for creating a secure, scalable, and efficient technology environment that supports NEON's multi-site offices and distributed teams.

Core IT Operations

• Own and operate the company's technology function end-to-end, setting strategy and executing hands-on technical work
• Manage and secure company systems, removing IT operational burden from executives
• Perform hands-on systems administration and cybersecurity operations, implementing security best practices
• Plan and scale infrastructure to support growth and evolving business needs
• Administer Box (governance, permissions, security), Google Workspace, and/or Microsoft 365
• Oversee identity and access management, including SSO/IAM solutions
• Manage endpoint/device management and SaaS tool administration
• Support multi-site offices and hybrid/remote teams
• Manage networking and cloud infrastructure, as well as vendor relationships
• Implement security frameworks and ensure protection of IP and digital media assets

Box Migration & Collaboration Infrastructure

• Lead ongoing transition from Google Workspace environment into Box ecosystem
• Build secure Box architecture, permissions, folder structures, governance, and workflows
• Establish long-term Box administration standards
• Integrate Box with collaboration, production, legal, finance, and distribution workflows
• Create scalable access models for employees, contractors, filmmakers, agencies, and external partners

Vendor & Budget Management

• Own IT budget and vendor relationships
• Negotiate software, hardware, and security contracts
• Drive fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency
• Reduce redundant tools and unnecessary spend
• Build multi-year infrastructure roadmap aligned with company growth

Our target salary range for this role is between $115,000 to $140,000. Actual starting salary within the range will depend on various considerations, including: work experience, skills, specializations, and training. In the interest of transparency, the salary rate shown reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on experience, knowledge, skills and internal equity. This role is based in New York, NY or Los Angeles, CA, with a hybrid work arrangement and occasional travel between locations.

Requirements Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in IT, Systems, Workplace IT, or Security Operations roles
• Experience owning an end-to-end IT function, including strategic planning and hands-on execution
• Proven ability to build or rebuild IT systems and processes in lean or fragmented environments
• Experience as IT Director, Senior Systems Administrator, or IT Operations Lead at a startup, media company, entertainment company, agency, or high-growth creative business preferred
• Experience supporting multi-site offices in a fast-paced setting
• Hands-on administration of Box (governance, permissions, security) and Google Workspace
• Hands-on experience implementing or administering Okta for SSO/IAM
• Hands-on endpoint/device management experience with Jamf
• Hands-on cybersecurity operations experience implementing security best practices such as least privilege and MFA
• Experience partnering with non-technical executives to own day-to-day IT decisions and operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience protecting IP or digital media assets in an IT/security context
• Background in media, entertainment, content distribution, or high-growth creative environments
• Experience supporting hybrid or remote teams
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration
• Strong organizational and process-oriented mindset
• Excellent communication skills with non-technical stakeholders
• Financial discipline and high trust/discretion in handling sensitive information

Benefits NEON offers all of its full-time employees a robust range of benefits

• Get peace of mind with our comprehensive Health Care Plan, covering medical, dental, and vision expenses
• Secure your future with our Retirement Savings Plan, offering options like 401k and Roth IRA
• Stay protected with our Life Insurance Coverage, including both Basic and Voluntary plans, as well as AD&D
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our Unlimited Vacation policy, sick days, public holidays, and office closure for winter break
• Take care of your loved ones with our Family Leave Options, including Parental and Caregiver Leaves
• Invest in your well-being through our Wellness Programs and Resources

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive, high-performance culture where everyone can do their best work. We do not discriminate in hiring based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. The job description serves as a guide and is not an exhaustive list of duties; requirements may evolve with business needs. All requirements and skills are subject to change as business needs evolve. Applicants in the U.S. have rights under Federal Employment Laws including the Family & Medical Leave Act, Equal Opportunity Employment, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act. NEON is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you need accommodations for the job application, interview, or to perform essential job functions, please inform your NEON contact/recruiter.