VP Infrastructure and Operations Director

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We're always looking for bright individuals to join our growing organization. As a part of the First Financial Family, we will invest in your development and provide a dynamic work environment where you're challenged, valued and empowered every day. We strive to be the best destination for the industry's top talent, creating a diverse, collaborative workplace that celebrates innovation and change. We are one team, working together to get things done.

Job Description:

Office Location:

Abilene, Texas, United States

*This is an in-office position in Abilene, Tx.

Description of Duties:

Provide strategic leadership and hands-on oversight of infrastructure, cloud, and support systems, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security across all platforms. This role will drive modernization initiatives, automation, and alignment with business objectives to support digital transformation and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructure solutions.
• Drive automation and orchestration initiatives using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools to streamline operations and improve reliability.
• Oversee integration and implementation of advanced cybersecurity controls and compliance frameworks (NIST, CIS, Zero Trust) in collaboration with the CISO and Security Operations Center.
• Implement modern monitoring, observability, and incident response practices leveraging DevOps/SRE principles.
• Align infrastructure strategy with business objectives and bank modernization goals.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies such as AI/ML infrastructure, edge computing, IoT, and 5G.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing, future-ready infrastructure team; lead organizational change to adopt new technologies and processes.
• Collaborate with business units to ensure infrastructure supports data governance, privacy, and regulatory compliance (GDPR, CCPA, FFIEC).
• Responsible for IT Day-to-Day operations of support, network, server, storage, operating systems, databases and communication systems; collectively "Infrastructure Systems". 
• Work with Senior IT Management to evaluate, develop and implement plans for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity including periodic validation and testing of DR/BCP plans for Infrastructure Systems recoverability.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:

EDUCATION:  

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• Industry certifications such as ITIL, CISSP, CISM, AWS/Azure Cloud Architect, or equivalent are highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE: 

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience managing infrastructure operations, including cloud and hybrid environments, networking, infrastructure automation, telecommunications, and cybersecurity.  

SKILLS

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid infrastructure design.
• Infrastructure as Code tools (Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell DSC).
• Cisco networking and advanced network security technologies.
• Server virtualization (VMware) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Windows Server, Active Directory, and modern identity management solutions.
• Monitoring and observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk).
• Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Windows Desktop Operating Systems
• Process design and implementation for greater efficiency

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated orientation towards providing support service to a staff of professionals; demonstrated ability to work well with others; ability to use time effectively, and demonstrated ability to communicate well both orally and in writing. Must have the ability to influence change by presenting clear and convincing reasoning through decisive and analytical problem resolution.  

The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to decide the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR c)