Director of IT

Description

About Us:

Optus Bank is on a mission to empower our communities to build wealth and live better financial lives. We've expanded significantly in recent years, serving customers across the U.S. with personalized banking and advanced digital solutions, led by exceptional bankers.

Position Summary

Optus Bank is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Information Technology (IT) to lead the development, implementation, and governance of the Bank’s IT infrastructure and information security program. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all technology operations, ensuring robust cybersecurity controls, managing vendor relationships, and driving digital transformation to support the Bank’s mission of financial empowerment.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in information security with broad experience managing enterprise technology systems. The Director will collaborate closely with executive leadership and department heads to align IT initiatives with business goals while ensuring regulatory compliance and data protection standards are met.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Information Security & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Monitor and respond to network security incidents; investigate and document security breaches.
• Conduct risk assessments and vulnerability testing to identify and mitigate system weaknesses.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable standards, including GLBA, FFIEC, FDIC, and other banking regulations.
• Educate and train staff in information security awareness and policies.
  
  

Technology Leadership & Infrastructure Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for IT operations, including infrastructure, applications, systems administration, and data integrity.
• Manage IT staff and vendors to ensure timely, secure, and efficient implementation of systems and technology projects.
• Evaluate and recommend technology solutions to enhance productivity, efficiency, and customer experience.
• Ensuring business continuity and disaster recovery planning and testing are up to date and effective.
• Maintain an inventory of technology assets and lifecycle management.
  
  

Compliance & Vendor Management

• Serve as the primary liaison for technology audits, exams, and compliance assessments.
• Oversee management of IT-related vendor relationships, including contracts, performance monitoring, and risk assessments.
• Partner with compliance and operations teams to develop and implement IT-related policies and procedures.
  
  

Requirements: Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in IT management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within financial services or a regulated industry.
• Professional certifications preferred (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CISA, PMP).
• Demonstrated experience with core banking systems, cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO), and IT governance.
• Strong leadership, project management, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive enterprise-level IT initiatives.