Director of IT

Our client is a leading restaurant franchise operator with a strong presence across the Northeast, managing many locations. Known for their emphasis on community, operational excellence, and high standards of customer service, they are committed to enhancing the guest experience through strategic leadership and advanced technology solutions. Their flat organizational structure supports clear communication and collaborative problem-solving, driven by a dedicated team of senior staff and operations professionals.

Our client values integrity, longevity, and continuous improvement. They seek individuals who align with their culture of respect, diligence, and growth. This position represents an opportunity to make a significant impact across their enterprise, especially as they undergo a major technological transition with the upcoming rollout of a new POS system.

Essential Job Functions

As the Director of IT, you will lead all aspects of information technology operations and strategy across a multi-unit restaurant enterprise. You will manage a small but dynamic team, oversee IT infrastructure, ensure effective rollout and adoption of enterprise systems—including a new POS solution—and maintain service continuity across geographically dispersed sites.

This role is based in Buffalo, NY and requires travel across the company’s territory. The individual must bring a mix of leadership, technical acumen, project management skills, and strong communication capabilities. The role will report directly to the President and will be expected to contribute to both tactical execution and strategic planning.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the successful implementation and adoption of a new POS system across all restaurant locations.
• Manage, support, and mentor a team including an IT Field Manager and a POS Coordinator.
• Ensure IT systems and applications are reliable, secure, and meet operational requirements.
• Provide excellent cross-functional communication, training, and change management during system transitions or upgrades.
• Act as a liaison to franchise-wide IT leadership councils, representing the company in collaborative initiatives.
• Oversee the technology budget and vendor contracts, including forecasting needs and strategic planning for IT infrastructure and systems.
• Ensure proactive planning and response for technical issues, including travel to onsite locations as needed for critical interventions.
• Develop and communicate long-term IT strategies aligned with business goals, including 3-, 5-, and 7-year plans.
• Evaluate current systems and processes, providing clear, actionable recommendations for staffing, outsourcing, and systems improvements.
• Ensure consistent communication and collaboration with leadership and operational teams regarding IT projects, statuses, and needs.

Position Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in IT leadership roles, preferably within restaurant, hospitality, or retail environments.
• Proven experience with POS systems.
• Strong project management skills, including rollout planning, training facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effective upward, downward, and lateral communication.
• Hands-on knowledge of IT systems, infrastructure management, and application support.
• Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and multi-site IT operations.
• A strategic mindset with a practical approach to systems and staffing planning.
• Willingness to travel across locations and be based full-time at the Buffalo office.
• Commitment to a long-term role with growth opportunities into executive leadership.