Information Technology (IT) Manager at Trees for the Future

THE ROLE


TREES is building a dedicated internal IT function for the first time, and the Information Technology (IT) Manager will play a foundational role in shaping it.
This is a hands-on role focused on enabling staff to do their best work. The IT Manager will oversee day-to-day IT operations, including staff support, Microsoft 365, identity and access management, cybersecurity, device management, software licensing, and vendor relationships, while building the systems and standards needed to support a growing global organization.
Reporting to the Vice President of People & Culture, the IT Manager will partner closely with People Operations, managed service providers, and external technical advisors to deliver a secure, reliable, and people-centered IT experience. The role will also lead key initiatives such as the rollout of Rippling IT, SharePoint governance, AI governance, and provide day-to-day guidance to in-country IT Coordinators as TREES expands its IT presence across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.


RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Support


Be the person TREES' staff trust for IT support: responsive, approachable, and able to translate technical issues into plain language.
Serve as the organization's internal IT escalation point, triaging requests and routing to vendors when appropriate. This includes handling day-to-day end-user support.


Microsoft 365 & Collaboration


Own and govern TREES' Microsoft 365 suite, including onboarding and offboarding of staff licenses as necessary.
Lead a meaningful SharePoint governance effort: audit the current state, establish clear information architecture, define permissions and access standards, and build staff guidance for navigating the shared file environment. Develop SharePoint as a functional, findable, and trusted home for organizational knowledge.
Champion adoption of M365 tools across the organization, helping staff get more value from platforms already in place. This includes change management, staff communications, and building self-service resources for a globally distributed team.


Vendor & Systems Management


Own TREES' core vendor relationships for IT services, including our MSP (Managed Service Provider) and Rippling IT. Direct the MSP's work on behalf of TREES, managing escalations, reviewing contract value, and ensuring their support serves our staff.
Lead the Rippling IT rollout (August 2026 target), including architecture validation, coordination with the MSP on handoffs, and staff change management.
Manage software license needs by role and location and make cost-conscious recommendations to leadership on renewals and investments.


Identity, Access & Security


Own identity and access management: user provisioning and deprovisioning, RBAC, SSO, MFA, and app access governance. Ensure onboarding and offboarding IT workflows are airtight, automated where possible, and clearly documented.
Maintain and improve TREES' security posture in partnership with the MSP's security operations. Own our security awareness training program and serve as the internal owner for cybersecurity documentation.


IT Strategy & Planning


Maintain and execute an IT Improvement Plan, a phased roadmap covering Rippling IT rollout, SharePoint governance, and infrastructure stabilization.
Lead TREES' approach to AI tools and policy, supporting the development and rollout of AI governance, evaluating tools that could benefit staff, and helping the organization think through how to use AI effectively and responsibly.
Partner with program and data teams to ensure staff have the right software, integrations, and technical support to work effectively with data, contributing to TREES' ambition to become a more data-informed organization.


Team Leadership


Provide dotted-line management and day-to-day guidance to in-country IT coordinators as TREES builds out its IT presence across countries of operation, setting direction, supporting their development, and ensuring consistent IT standards across the organization.


WHO YOU ARE


An enthusiastic advocate for TREES' mission and values. You believe technology is a strategic enabler of impact and are excited to help build thriving rural economies, resilient food systems, and a healthier planet.
A trusted IT partner. Staff know your name not because something went wrong, but because you showed up before it did. You communicate clearly, follow through, and genuinely care about the experience of the people you support.
A builder, not just an operator. You are energized by the opportunity to bring structure to a messy environment. You don't need a perfect starting point​,​ you build toward one. You're comfortable being the only IT person in the room.
An M365 expert. You've managed SharePoint, Teams, Exchange Online, and Entra ID hands-on. You understand what good looks like for a distributed organization, and you know how to get there from where things are today.
A strong vendor manager. You've directed the work of an MSP or IT service provider; ​​not just submitted tickets, but held vendors accountable, navigated contract renewals, and made sure their work served your organization's actual needs.
A communicator first. You translate technical complexity for non-technical stakeholders. You get things done across time zones and cultures. You make IT feel like a partnership, not a black box.


ROLE REQUIREMENTS


5 years of experience in IT management, IT operations, or a systems/infrastructure role, ideally in a nonprofit or distributed organization.
Hands-on Microsoft 365 suite administration.
Experience managing an MSP relationship - directing their work, managing escalations, and holding them accountable.
Solid understanding of identity and access management: SSO, MFA, RBAC, and user lifecycle.
Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to make technology accessible to non-technical staff.
Experience with Rippling IT or a comparable HRIS-integrated IT service management platform is strongly preferred.
Experience supporting a globally distributed workforce, particularly in regions with infrastructure constraints. Africa experience is a meaningful plus.
Prior experience as the sole dedicated IT person at an organization is a plus.