Position: Director, Information Technology

Department: Information Technology

Reports To: Chief Information Officer

Classification: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Information Technology position requires someone who is technically proficient in information management and information technology project management (IM/IT), policy, and planning. The work involves responsibility for the management of the delivery of information technology products, services, or systems, constrained by the relationships among scope, resources, and time. The Director of Information Technology manages critical, highly complex projects that involve major enhancements and capital planning used in WAEPA's IM and IT systems. 

The WAEPA Director of IT supports the information and business process enabling the needs of WAEPA's members and internal users and ensuring the viability of information systems and enterprise architecture. This technical, operations-centered senior IT executive role is seen as the most trusted partner of the CIO in leading IT to become a business-oriented organization.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Lead and manage employees with a wide range of skills and duties.
• Maintain department goals and projects.
• Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction. 
• Anticipate company IT needs and cost management.

COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability - Employee is open to new ideas and ways of doing business and adopts change willingly.
• Business Mindset - Employee is knowledgeable of the financial,   operational, and business concepts of the business, and is comfortable with the data-driven aspects of business operations.
• Continuous Improvement - Employee seeks opportunities to improve current processes, systems, and methods to promote reliability,   quality, and efficiency of output.
• Customer Focus - Employee conducts business and makes decisions with concern for the customers experience and needs.
• Developing & Training Others - Employee fosters the growth of others through recognition, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Driving Results - Employee ensures goals are met through support and accountability.
• Engaging Communication - Employee engages others and inspires action through communication.
• Innovation - Employee produces and promotes new ideas and pushes the business and industry ahead with new ways of approaching work, products, or services.
• Leading Others - Employee promotes individual and team performance by setting expectations, delegating, and providing adequate resources.
• Learning Agility - Employee learns quickly, applies newly learned information and skills to innovate and adapt, and uses feedback to improve.
• Makes Sound Decisions - Employee makes sound decisions in a timely and confident manner.
• Planning & Organizing - Employee engages in logical and systemic thinking to develop meaningful plans for executing goals.
• Relationship Management - Employee builds and maintains meaningful and positive connections with others inside or outside of the organization.
• Resilience - Employee responds to challenges with composure, optimism, and hardiness; employee perseveres and exhibits healthy stress management strategies.
• Team Leadership - Employee leads teams that work together seamlessly toward shared goals and objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The incumbent serves as the expert on all functional areas assigned to this position. The incumbent analyzes and resolves difficult technology problems or issues, conducts special studies, and makes recommendations on new approaches to delivering services. Reviews IT programs to assess overall compliance with IT plans and policies set by the CIO. Modifies IT plans and projects to respond to changes in the WAEPA's business requirements and processes or changes in federal or state legislation or regulatory requirements. 

The incumbent leads by example and actively coaches' subordinates. Clearly communicates/documents performance expectations and ensures performance plans align with organizational mission/strategy. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. In addition to reviewing work methods and procedures for opportunities to improve efficiency or effectiveness; has the responsibility for finding ways to eliminate significant bottlenecks and barriers to production. 

Management (75%)

• Oversees the development of enterprise technology standards, governance processes, and performance metrics to ensure WAEPA IT delivers value to the organization.
• Works with the CIO and business leadership team, providing in-depth technical expertise in support of organizational business decisions.
• Drives development of technology architecture, infrastructure planning, engineering, and deployment.
• Provides leadership in planning and managing IT products and service development. Oversees the effective delivery of computer operations and production support, system and database administration, network operations, PC/desktop support, and customer service.
• Implements IT continuous-improvement programs within WAEPA guidelines.
• Identifies and implements best practices for optimizing infrastructure and operations costs, improving system performance, and ensuring service-level requirements are met.
• Stays current with developments in new technologies and platforms.
• Plans, implements, directs, and monitors the integration of new technologies into the infrastructure.
• Develops and manages strategic vendor and partnership relationships.
• Formulates IT policies, procedures, and performance management processes and measures.
• Partners with the CIO in the preparation, review, and consolidation of IT business plans, budgets, and forecasts.
• Regularly reviews IT costs and cost structures for IT services and products. Ensures that the financial implications of IT projects and activities are communicated to the CIO.
• Directs risk evaluation and compliance management processes.
• May oversee the executive of high-impact, organizational, strategic programs or initiatives.
• May oversee IT workforce management, including sourcing, training, and development of staff.
• May assume full CIO responsibilities (or those responsibilities as directed) during the CIO's absence.

Supervision (25%)

• Provides advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Makes decisions on work problems presented by contractors/vendors.
• Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with WAEPA leadership from other departments or in advising higher-level management officials (i.e., CIO).
• Manages IT resource requirements to ensure an appropriate balance between tactical and strategic demands.
• Directs teams of technical, professional, and management staff in the successful fulfillment of IT service delivery commitments.
• Manages IT staff work hours, PTO, timesheet approvals, and telework agreements.
• Manages IT staff job description and personal goals.
• Facilitates communications across IT groups, user, and customer communities.
• Leads IT asset management team to ensure that assets achieve their full lifetime cycle value.

This position description should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the sole standards for the position. Incumbents are expected to perform all other duties as required. 

BENEFITS

• Complementary medical, vision and dental, life and disability insurance
• Generous PTO
• Generous 401(k) employer contribution 
• Wellness advance
• Paid federal holidays
• Free parking

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, information systems, or a related field preferred. Commensurate work experience with corresponding certifications will be considered.
• Master's Degree, PMP, or CISSP certification preferred
• Five to seven years of experience working in IT operations, supervising technology teams, and overseeing large information technology projects.
• Five to seven years of leadership responsibilities.
• Five or more years in business/industry, managing multiple, large, cross-functional teams or projects and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in managing infrastructure and operations.
• Microsoft Dynamics and Azure management experience is a plus.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong leadership capability, executing as appropriate in the areas of responsibility.
• Extensive knowledge of infrastructure planning and operations, design, and deployment, as well as system life cycle management.
• Expertise in budget planning, financial management, and resource management.
• Broad knowledge of current and emerging technologies, technology directions, and strategic application to business needs.
• Strong business acumen and business planning skills.
• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to effectively deploy resources and manage multiple projects of diverse scopes in a cross-functional environment.
• Ability to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and information management across all lines of business and technology platforms.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technology solutions in business terms, establish rapport, and persuade others.