IT Operations Director

About the Job

Montana State Fund (MSF) is seeking a skilled and mission-driven IT Operations Director to lead the reliable, secure, and efficient delivery of the technology services our employees rely on every day. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer and serving as a member of the IT Department leadership team, the IT Operations Director ensures that the systems, tools, and infrastructure supporting MSF’s work are dependable, stable, and optimized for performance. This role guides the teams responsible for infrastructure health, service quality, incident response, and customer support. Blending strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight, the position promotes transparency, continuous improvement, and strong partnerships with internal business units. Through this work, the role ensures that the technology powering MSF is resilient, cost-effective, and consistently aligned with organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic IT Operations Leadership: Provide strategic leadership and direction for IT Operations, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient infrastructure, systems, help desk, and technology services that align with MSF business objectives.

• People Leadership and Talent Development: Lead and develop a high-performing, customer-focused IT Operations team. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment where team members are passionate about supporting MSF’s mission and delivering excellent service to policyholders and injured workers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Partnership: Partner collaboratively with business leaders, executives, vendors, and cross-functional IT teams to deliver technology solutions, manage critical incidents, drive operational excellence, and support strategic initiatives and projects.

• Operational Governance and Administration: Oversee IT Operations governance and administration, including service delivery metrics, operational planning, budgets, vendor management, infrastructure lifecycle management, and continuous process improvement to ensure consistent, cost-effective service delivery.

• Additional Functions: Manage vendor relationships and budgets effectively to optimize service quality, control costs, and ensure that technology investments support MSF’s strategic and operational objectives.

• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organization, leveraging outstanding communication and leadership to drive collaborative initiatives.

About You

To find success and satisfaction in this role, candidates will possess the following traits:

• A seasoned operations leader who brings deep experience in IT service delivery, infrastructure, or applications—and a passion for ensuring that technology “just works” for the people who depend on it.

• Thrives in fast-paced environments, excel at managing complexity, and lead with a mindset focused on stability, customer experience, and continuous improvement.

• Communicates clearly, collaborates naturally, and builds trust across all levels of an organization.

• Enjoys solving operational challenges, guiding teams through change, and ensuring that mission-critical systems are reliable, secure, and aligned with business needs.

• A leader who demonstrates strong ownership, approaches challenges with curiosity, works with speed and intention, and consistently delivers high-quality results.

At Montana State Fund

To support our customer-centered workplace, successful candidates are team players who possess:

• A customer and growth mindset

• Empathy

• Accountability

• Adaptability

• Resiliency

• Communication skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position, and Ten (10) years of IT business operations experience or IT applications experience, including four (4) years in IT operations leadership. An equivalent combination of education and experience of the above requirements may be considered.

• Preferred: Master’s degree in a field relevant to the position. Five (5) years’ experience in insurance or related industry. Experience working with Guidewire Insurance Suite or similar insurance solutions. Experience with AWS cloud. Certifications such as AWS Solution Architect, PMP, or Agile.

About Montana State Fund

Montana State Fund is more than just an insurance company. We are a team of dedicated professionals committed to making a positive impact. Our mission is to partner with employers and their employees to care for those injured on the job and champion a culture of workplace safety for our fellow Montanans. Six values guide us in our day-to-day work:

• Do what’s right

• Deliver with heart

• Focus on what matters

• Succeed together

• Find a better way

• Take the long view

Job Location

This position requires regular attendance and presence in the MSF Helena office. Working conditions: Fast paced general office environment. Some stress may occur. Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, detailed verbal communications and fine finger manipulation for working with computer keyboards.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary for this exempt position begins at $149,400-$186,700 per year. Montana State Fund offers excellent benefits, paid time off, and a competitive compensation program, including:

• Excellent health insurance with dental, vision, life, long-term disability and more, with optional dependent coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care and medical expenses.

• Public employees’ retirement plan tax-deferred contributions with a generous employer match.

• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation to further increase retirement savings.

• Robust personal leave, paid holidays, and extended leave.

Learn more about working at MSF.