IT Manager, APAC

SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rights-holders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports. While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports. In Asia, SPORTFIVE has over 30 years of proven performance with offices in Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul. The industry leading agency specialises in delivering a comprehensive range of solutions and services for brands, right-holders and fans across the whole value chain. With dedicated teams focused on media and brand-led sales, content production, turn-key event management, design studio, digital marketing and activation, SPORTFIVE is well placed to support brands and rights-holders in creating valuable partnerships in the region. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Esports, Motorsport, Handball, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events and many more. Overview of Position We are seeking a seasoned and hands-on IT Manager to lead and oversee our IT infrastructure, support services, and operational excellence across the APAC region. This role is pivotal in ensuring a secure, scalable, and high-performing IT environment that supports our dynamic business needs. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, regional experience, and a proactive mindset. You will collaborate closely with global IT teams and local business stakeholders to drive service reliability, user satisfaction, and continuous improvement across multiple countries. This position offers the opportunity to work independently while contributing to a globally connected and fast-paced organization. Key Responsibilities IT Operations & Infrastructure Manage day-to-day IT operations across multiple APAC offices (e.g., Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, UAE, KSA, Hong Kong). Oversee network, server, storage, and cloud infrastructure; ensure uptime, performance, and compliance. Maintain and improve IT systems including Active Directory (Entra), Microsoft 365 services (including Sharepoint), Azure Virtualization, VPN, Endpoint Security, and backup solutions. Implement ITIL best practices for incident, problem, and change management. Ensure compliance with internal IT security policies, ISO 27001, and local data protection laws. Conduct regular risk assessments, security audits, and vulnerability testing. Maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans for the region. Lead regional IT projects (e.g., office setups/moves, infrastructure upgrades, cloud migrations) from planning to implementation. Manage vendor relationships and contracts, including procurement, negotiation, and performance reviews. Track and control IT budgets and expenses; prepare regular IT performance reports for management. Provide hands-on technical support and troubleshooting for end users, including escalated incidents. Supervise and mentor local IT staff and coordinate with remote/global IT teams. Drive standardization of IT policies and processes across the region. Qualification/Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field. Minimum 8–12 years of progressive IT experience. Strong technical expertise in: Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), endpoint management, and backup solutions (AvePoint, other solutions a plus). Network infrastructure, firewall and security (Cisco. Microsoft Defender.) Experience managing IT operations across multiple APAC markets. Preferred to have knowledge of ITIL framework, ISO 27001, and data protection regulations. Excellent stakeholder management, vendor negotiation, and communication skills. Able to work independently with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset. Capable of collaborating with international/global teams not seated in the APAC-region. Singaporean / PR preferred (to comply with Fair Consideration Framework). Desired Attributes Hands-on and resourceful “can-do” attitude. Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency. Able to balance strategic planning with operational execution. Culturally sensitive and collaborative across diverse regional teams. Job Conditions This role is located on site at our Singapore office. #J-18808-Ljbffr