[Hiring] Information Technology (IT) Manager @Trees for the Future

Role Description

TREES is building a dedicated internal IT function for the first time, and the Information Technology (IT) Manager will play a foundational role in shaping it. This is a hands-on role focused on enabling staff to do their best work. The IT Manager will oversee day-to-day IT operations, including:

• Staff support
• Microsoft 365
• Identity and access management
• Cybersecurity
• Device management
• Software licensing
• Vendor relationships

Reporting to the Vice President of People & Culture, the IT Manager will partner closely with People Operations, managed service providers, and external technical advisors to deliver a secure, reliable, and people-centered IT experience. The role will also lead key initiatives such as:

• The rollout of Rippling IT
• SharePoint governance
• AI governance

Additionally, the IT Manager will provide day-to-day guidance to in-country IT Coordinators as TREES expands its IT presence across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in IT management, IT operations, or a systems/infrastructure role, ideally in a nonprofit or distributed organization.
• Hands-on Microsoft 365 suite administration.
• Experience managing an MSP relationship - directing their work, managing escalations, and holding them accountable.
• Solid understanding of identity and access management: SSO, MFA, RBAC, and user lifecycle.
• Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to make technology accessible to non-technical staff.
• Experience with Rippling IT or a comparable HRIS-integrated IT service management platform is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting a globally distributed workforce, particularly in regions with infrastructure constraints. Africa experience is a meaningful plus.
• Prior experience as the sole dedicated IT person at an organization is a plus.

Requirements

• Be the person TREES’ staff trust for IT support: responsive, approachable, and able to translate technical issues into plain language.
• Serve as the organization's internal IT escalation point, triaging requests and routing to vendors when appropriate.
• Own and govern TREES' Microsoft 365 suite, including onboarding and offboarding of staff licenses as necessary.
• Lead a meaningful SharePoint governance effort: audit the current state, establish clear information architecture, define permissions and access standards, and build staff guidance for navigating the shared file environment.
• Champion adoption of M365 tools across the organization, helping staff get more value from platforms already in place.
• Own TREES' core vendor relationships for IT services, including our MSP and Rippling IT.
• Direct the MSP’s work on behalf of TREES, managing escalations, reviewing contract value, and ensuring their support serves our staff.
• Lead the Rippling IT rollout (August 2026 target), including architecture validation, coordination with the MSP on handoffs, and staff change management.
• Manage software license needs by role and location and make cost-conscious recommendations to leadership on renewals and investments.
• Own identity and access management: user provisioning and deprovisioning, RBAC, SSO, MFA, and app access governance.
• Maintain and improve TREES' security posture in partnership with the MSP’s security operations.
• Maintain and execute an IT Improvement Plan, a phased roadmap covering Rippling IT rollout, SharePoint governance, and infrastructure stabilization.
• Lead TREES' approach to AI tools and policy, supporting the development and rollout of AI governance.
• Provide dotted-line management and day-to-day guidance to in-country IT coordinators as TREES builds out its IT presence across countries of operation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Workers’ compensation.
• Substantial paid time off.
• Fully remote position, with some overlap required across global time zones.
• Multicultural, collegial work environment with a commitment to staff development and mission-driven work.

Company Description

TREES is a people-first organization, and that includes how we take care of our own staff. We are committed to building a workplace where talented people can do meaningful work and grow.

Trees for the Future is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We embrace and value diverse skill sets and backgrounds.