Director of IT

Anza MI is a fintech startup using technology and analytics to drive growth & innovation within the US mortgage market. Anza Mortgage Insurance Corporation is empowering homeownership through credit risk protection. Our Mission Our mission is to empower homeownership by mitigating credit risk through mortgage insurance. We strive to leverage technology and operational excellence to deliver exceptional service to our lender and servicer partners, offer reliable and secure capital support for our insureds, generate leading returns for our shareholders, and foster a fulfilling, rewarding environment for our team members. Technology Forward We differentiate ourselves by designing, architecting, and developing our operating systems in-house. This unique approach creates a platform tailored to the needs of today's housing market. It positions us to achieve unparalleled processing efficiency and adaptability to changing industry standards and customer demands. Fundamentally, we are a process optimization company that harnesses technology to revolutionize the mortgage insurance experience and fulfill our mission. Customer Centric We dedicate ourselves to provide competitive pricing tailored to risk profiles. Our commitment to our partners goes beyond pricing and product offerings. We prioritize a customer-centric approach focused on meeting customer needs and enhancing their experience. This approach is underpinned by transparency throughout the process and prompt issue resolution. Risk Management Excellence Risk Management is our foundation. Our risk management framework uses advanced technology, innovative strategies, and modern modeling techniques to manage risks ranging from credit risk to information security risk. Our customers and partners can rely on us to handle their information with the utmost care and responsibility. Our dedication to risk management is designed to reassure our partners about our stability and reliability. About the role The Director of IT is responsible for leading Anza’s IT infrastructure, systems administration, endpoint and identity management, and day-to-day information technology operations. Reporting directly to the COO/CIO, this role manages IT staff and vendor relationships, oversees the company’s internal-facing cloud and on-premises environments, and plays a key role in achieving and maintaining our security posture. The Director of IT bridges tactical execution and strategic planning, ensuring Anza’s technology stack is secure, scalable, and operationally resilient as the company scales. What you'll do Lead and manage the IT function, including direct supervision of current employees and future IT hiresOversee and administer end-user equipment, cloud infrastructure, networking and VPNs.  Under supervision of the CISO, support our security and privacy posture and governanceIT vendor managementDefine and maintain IT policies, procedures, and security controls aligned with business requirements and industry best practicesOversee endpoint management, device provisioning, and IT onboarding/offboarding workflowsLead disaster recovery (DR) planning, testing, and documentation to meet audit and operational standardsCollaborate with the COO/CIO and engineering team on infrastructure architecture decisions, including our cloud infrastructure  strategyManage IT budget planning and vendor renewal cyclesAct as primary escalation point for IT incidents and ensure timely resolution with appropriate documentationEvaluate, recommend, and implement new technologies aligned with Anza’s growth trajectory and security postureProactive, mature IT Service Management Qualifications Minimum Education  Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent professional experience Preferred Education  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Information Systems, or Cybersecurity Minimum Experience  8+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3 years in a people management or IT leadership role Preferred Experience 10+ years of IT experience with demonstrated progression to leadershipExperience in a regulated financial services, fintech, or insurance environmentHands-on experience managing AWS cloud environments (multi-account preferred)Experience in collaborating with Information Security teams to acquire and maintain a compliant postureExperience managing MSP/vendor relationships and SLAs Minimum Skills Proficiency in AWS cloud servicesIdentity and access management platformsNetwork security concepts and toolsIT and Security Monitoring and InstrumentationEndpoint management and IT asset lifecycle processesStrong written and verbal communication skills; ability to interface with executive leadershipDemonstrated ability to manage direct reports and develop team members Preferred Skills Familiarity with Camunda or workflow automation toolsExperience managing and provisioning heterogeneous environments with Linux, Windows and MacOSScripting/automation skills (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for infrastructure tasksExperience with DR planning, RTO/RPO definition, and tabletop exercisesComfort using AI/LLM tools (Claude, Copilot, Gemini) to accelerate delivery and documentation Minimum Certification(s) None required; relevant certifications in lieu of experience considered Preferred Certification(s) AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional)CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CISMITIL Foundation or equivalent IT service management certification Locations: Wilmington, NC