Head of IT

About the role

Osmo is a digital olfaction company building technology to give computers a sense of smell. We are looking for a hands-on IT leader to manage our infrastructure, security, and internal support operations as we scale. This role requires a balance of strategic planning and tactical execution to ensure our systems are secure, efficient, and reliable. You will be responsible for establishing the technical foundation that allows our teams to collaborate effectively and securely from day one. You will translate complex technical concepts into clear strategies that align with business objectives. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments and can build processes from the ground up. You will act as a key technical advisor to leadership and ensure that our technology investments support long term growth.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Oversee the end to end lifecycle of all company devices, ensuring hardware is procured, configured, tracked, and retired in alignment with business needs.
• Architect and manage identity and access systems, defining roles, permissions, and authentication workflows to support secure collaboration.
• Design and operate an internal service desk model, including ticketing procedures, service level agreements, and user onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Implement and monitor security controls such as multi factor authentication, access reviews, and continuous system monitoring to protect corporate assets.
• Coordinate incident response activities, including detection, analysis, containment, and recovery, while maintaining detailed records for post incident review.
• Prepare the organization for external security assessments and audits by maintaining accurate records and remediating identified gaps.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to design secure cloud architectures, optimize network access, and manage integration touchpoints.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and manage relationships with SaaS and hardware vendors to balance cost, functionality, and service quality.
• Author and maintain clear documentation for assets, configurations, and operational procedures to support continuity and scalability.
• Define and track key performance indicators and risk metrics, presenting findings and recommendations to the executive team on a regular basis.
• Establish IT playbooks and standard operating procedures that reflect best practices and the unique needs of a high growth startup.
• Lead the deployment of endpoint protection platforms and ensure consistent application of security policies across all user devices.
• Coordinate with finance and procurement to forecast technology spend and align purchasing decisions with budget constraints.
• Mentor junior team members and foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Act as the primary point of contact for technical inquiries related to infrastructure, security, and user support.

Requirements

• Hold a minimum of 7 years of cumulative experience in information technology roles, with at least 3 years in a leadership or people management capacity.
• Demonstrate prior experience working within a Series B or similarly scaled high growth startup environment.
• Show hands on expertise with single sign on and identity providers such as Okta, as well as MDM platforms including Jamf, Intune, or Kandji.
• Exhibit familiarity with major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure and a foundational understanding of networking principles.
• Provide evidence of successfully managing vendor negotiations, contracts, and relationships to achieve favorable business outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non technical audiences, translating complex risks into clear, actionable insights.
• Apply proven methods for managing security incidents and implementing baseline security controls that reduce organizational risk.
• Understand the importance of compliance, governance, and documentation in maintaining a robust technology posture.
• Commit to working legally in the United States and passing all required background and eligibility checks upon hire.

Nice to have

• Experience building IT processes and playbooks specifically for Series B startups.
• History of directing outsourced IT contractors and third party service providers.
• Knowledge of compliance frameworks such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001.
• Familiarity with service management tools like Notion or Atlassian products.
• Willingness to be physically present in New Jersey for hardware management, team meetings, and occasional onsite work.

Practical notes

• This is a full time position based in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
• All new employees must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States before starting employment.
• Compensation package includes base salary, medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k with company match, flexible paid time off, and equity or incentive compensation components.
• Osmo does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment or staffing agencies.