Director of Information Technology

Director of Information Technology

Company Overview:

Scenthound is the nation's first franchise concept providing monthly hygiene services and wellness care for dogs. Dogs need consistent, routine care to keep all their parts clean and healthy, from their Skin and Coat to their Ears, Nails, and Teeth (S.C.E.N.T.). At Scenthound we're committed to providing every dog with the care necessary to help maintain their health and keep them clean and happy.

Franchising since 2019, our revolutionary concept, technology-driven strategy, and proven business model are fueling rapid nationwide expansion. Scenthound currently has nearly 130 locations open with a total of 200 projected to be open by the end of 2025.

Job Overview

This role requires a balanced technology leader who can independently manage the IT function while aligning with the CTO's vision. The ideal candidate combines strong technical knowledge with excellent people leadership skills and business understanding. They will oversee the complete IT portfolio including infrastructure, applications, security, and support services while managing budgets, resources, and vendor relationships effectively.

The Director will build and develop high-performing teams, instituting appropriate governance and processes. They must communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating business requirements into technology solutions. While maintaining high standards and driving results, they should foster a collaborative culture that supports innovation while ensuring operational stability and security.

Decision-making should be informed by both technical expertise and business impact, with appropriate stakeholder consultation when needed. The role requires someone who can operate independently but recognizes when to escalate issues to the CTO and how to effectively advocate for IT needs across the organization.

LOOKING FOR

Strategist

A Strategist is results-oriented, innovative and analytical with a drive for change that balances technical expertise with business acumen.

Leader

A Leader who builds and develops high-performing teams, delegates effectively, and communicates persuasively across all organizational levels.

CollaboratorA Collaborator who partners effectively with stakeholders, translates business needs into technical solutions, and aligns IT initiatives with organizational goals.

You

Will be

• Strategic yet practical
• Decisive and thoughtful
• Collaborative while driving accountability

Will need

• Autonomy to shape IT direction
• Clear organizational objectives
• Regular strategic alignment with CTO

Will Like Hearing

• "Build and lead the IT function with minimal oversight"
• "Partner with business leaders to deliver technology solutions"
• "Develop and execute our technology roadmap"
• "Manage your team and budget to achieve results"

Job Characteristics

• Strategic leadership of the IT function with minimal CTO oversight
• Development and execution of IT roadmaps aligned with business objectives
• Budget planning, management and optimization
• Team building, coaching and performance management
• Vendor and partner relationship management
• IT governance, risk management and compliance
• Cross-functional collaboration with business units
• Balancing innovation with operational stability
• Regular reporting on IT metrics, projects and initiatives
• Identification and mitigation of technology risks
• Effective communication with technical and non-technical audiences

Noteworthy Behaviors

• Strategic thinking balanced with operational excellence
• Effective delegation and team development
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Excellent communication across technical and non-technical audiences
• Financial and resource management aptitude
• Proactive risk management and governance
• Technical credibility with subject matter expertise
• Business acumen and organizational awareness

Technical Experience

• 7+years of IT leadership experience with at least 3 years managing distributed technology environments
• Proven expertise implementing and managing Office 365 ecosystem (Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, etc.)
• Experience with hybrid cloud environments and SaaS application management
• Strong background in network infrastructure supporting multiple locations
• Experience implementing and managing cybersecurity frameworks for distributed organizations
• Track record of successful IT disaster recovery and business continuity planning

Multi-location Experience

• Experience supporting multi-location business operations
• Background in developing scalable technology standards across multiple sites
• Knowledge of implementing consistent IT support models for geographically dispersed locations
• Experience standardizing technology deployments while accommodating local site requirements

Leadership and Management

• History of leading remote/distributed IT teams effectively
• Experience managing IT vendor relationships and contracts
• Track record of developing and executing IT strategic plans aligned with business objectives
• Budget management experience for organizations of similar size and complexity
• Experience presenting technology initiatives to executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders

Specific Knowledge Areas

• Point-of-sale (POS)systems implementation and support
• Customer data management and privacy compliance
• E-commerce integration with physical locations
• Mobile device management for distributed workforces
• IT service management (ITSM) frameworks and implementation
• Standardization of technology across business units

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (MBA or technical master's preferred
• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, PMP, Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert, or CISSP

Soft Skills

• Exceptional communication skills, particularly the ability to translate technical concepts for stakeholders with varying levels of technical sophistication
• Strong negotiation skills for vendor management and technology adoption
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with distributed stakeholders
• Change management experience in complex organizational structures

Industry Knowledge

• Understanding of technology trends affecting multi-location business models
• Knowledge of compliance requirements relevant to our industry

Bonus Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting franchise business models
• Understanding of the unique technology needs of franchisors and franchisees
• Background in creating technology onboarding processes for franchise partners
• Experience in our specific industry verticalTraining in franchise business models

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision
• Life insurance and short term disability
• Paid Time off
• 401k with company match
• Free grooming services for your dog
• Energentic, fun, loving work environment
• Competitive compensation

This is a remote position.

Compensation: $130,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year