IT Manager (3 Month Contract)

About Us

We’re a startup with big ambitions: to make estate planning modern, visual, and intelligent. Vanilla is the first AI-powered estate advisory platform, built by advisors, planners, and attorneys to transform how wealth is transferred across generations. Our technology unifies scenario modeling, client visualization, and document creation into one seamless, digital experience.

Job Summary
We’re hiring an IT Manager to build and own Vanilla’s internal IT function. You’ll own the employee identity lifecycle, devices, internal tools, and day-to-day IT support, and create the documentation and processes that let IT scale with the company. If it’s not product, not infrastructure, not RevOps, and not owned by Security, it’s yours.

This is a 3-month, full-time contract role, employed W-2 through a staffing partner, with potential to convert to a full-time Vanilla position.

What You’ll Build

• Automated identity and access. Configure Rippling, Google Workspace, SSO, and SCIM so joiners, movers, and leavers are provisioned and deprovisioned automatically across every system, with role-based access by department. This is the top priority.

• Self-service IT support. Turn our Ask IT Slack channel into a support system that answers common questions on its own, using AI and a knowledge base, so people get help without waiting on a person. Set SLAs for what still needs a human.

• Zero-touch devices. Build laptop setup in Rippling so new hires are ready on day one without manual configuration, with security baselines, asset tracking, and automated device recovery at offboarding.

• A single source of truth for internal tools. Build the application inventory with the primary admin, backup admin, and business owner for each tool, so admin access never depends on one person.

• Documentation that lets anyone run IT. Write runbooks for admin access, critical workflows, and emergency procedures, so a non-specialist can keep things running when you’re out.

• Vanilla’s internal AI program. Inventory AI tools in use, cut redundant tools and spend, manage access, licensing, and SSO, partner with Security and Legal on approved tools and guidelines, and work with Finance leadership to drive AI adoption across non-engineering teams.

What You’ll Own Along the Way

• First-line support for hardware, SaaS access, and account issues while the systems are being built.

• Administration of expense management, HRIS integrations, e-signature, and collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, and Notion.

• Partnering with Security to implement the controls they define, and supporting audits, access reviews, and compliance requests.

• SaaS and hardware spend, vendor renewals and negotiations, tool rationalization, and IT cost per employee.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in IT or corporate systems administration, including time as the primary IT owner at a startup or high-growth company.

• Hands-on experience configuring Rippling, Google Workspace, SSO, and SCIM provisioning.

• Experience administering device management in Rippling.

• A track record of building IT process and documentation where none existed.

• Working knowledge of current AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot, and curiosity about where they fit.

• Clear written communication and the ability to explain technical systems to non-technical employees.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience supporting audits or compliance programs such as SOC 2.

• Experience managing SaaS spend and running vendor negotiations.

• Experience in fintech, wealth management, or another regulated industry.

Role Details

• Type: 3-month contract, employed W-2 through a staffing partner, with potential to convert to full-time

• Hours: 40 hours per week

• Pay: $70/hour

• Benefits: Provided through the staffing partner’s plan

• Equipment: Vanilla provides a laptop and required software