IT Manager at Kontak Recruitment

• If you thrive in a fast-moving, creatively charged environment where no two days look the same, this is the kind of role that will keep you sharp, challenged, and genuinely invested in what you do. This is a well-known, independently owned creative agency, operating across multiple disciplines including advertising, media, PR, and design. With employees spread across South Africa, the business has built a reputation for high performance, international recognition, and a culture that genuinely puts people first. This is not a corporate box-ticking environment. It is a founder-led business where leadership is accessible, accountability is valued, and growth, both personal and professional, is built into the DNA of the organisation.
• The successful candidate will step into the IT Manager role as the most senior IT person in the business, owning the full technology function from the ground up. Reporting directly into the Finance Director, this person will lead a small internal IT team, manage the end-to-end IT environment, and act as a true strategic partner to the business.
• Given that the majority of the environment runs on Mac and Apple products, deep knowledge of Apple operating systems and their integration with Microsoft 365 and other platforms is non-negotiable. This is an operational and strategic role in equal measure, requiring someone who can get their hands dirty when needed, plan two to five years ahead, and keep everything running seamlessly in a creative agency where downtime is simply not an option.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years experience in an IT Manager role with direct reports
• Proven experience managing a full IT function independently, without reporting into a more senior IT executive
• Exceptional knowledge of Mac, Apple, and iOS environments including network integration with Microsoft 365
• Solid expertise in network and wireless infrastructure, troubleshooting, and ensuring zero service interruption
• Experience with boardroom AV and hybrid meeting setup across multiple platforms
• Strong understanding of cyber security, POPIA, ISO 27000, and general IT compliance requirements
• Financial acumen with the ability to propose, manage, and track an annual IT budget
• Experience managing supplier relationships, contracts, and IT procurement
• Hands-on experience with asset management, onboarding and offboarding processes, and software licensing
• Understanding of AI technologies and their implications for IT security, network usage, and licensing
• Prior exposure to a creative, advertising, or similarly fast-paced and dynamic environment is a strong advantage

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior escalation point for all IT-related issues across the business
• Lead, guide, and develop a small internal IT team, including performance management and skills development
• Oversee daily IT operations including service desk management, walk-in support, boardroom readiness checks, and backup and server health monitoring
• Take full accountability for network, wireless, and server infrastructure, including weekly patch management and ongoing maintenance
• Drive and implement IT strategy, roadmaps, and planning aligned to the broader business vision
• Manage IT budget planning, financial tracking, and quarterly forecasting
• Own compliance requirements including POPIA, PIIA, and the ISO 27000 project, and act as Information Officer for regulatory liaison
• Maintain and update network and server environment diagrams
• Manage all software licensing including Adobe, Microsoft, and Slack
• Oversee hardware allocation, asset management, and the tracking and retrieval of all company-issued property
• Manage onboarding and offboarding of users in line with HR requirements, including email signature management across all group companies
• Support and set up technology for client events, presentations, and hybrid meetings
• Manage IT supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee procurement
• Identify and mitigate potential cyber security risks and ensure proactive security monitoring including internal camera systems
• Stay current on AI technology trends and manage the security, licensing, and network implications of AI tool adoption across the business