Dir, IT Software Development

Citizens, Inc.•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Citizens Inc. is seeking a strategic, results-oriented technology leader to join our team as a Director – Software Development. The Director – Software Development will provide leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the teams responsible for developing, maintaining, and ensuring the quality of our policy admin system, portals, internal applications, databases, reporting platforms, integrations, and related software solutions. This role is accountable for aligning software development capabilities with business priorities, strengthening engineering practices, advancing modernization initiatives, and ensuring delivery of secure, scalable, high-quality technology solutions. The ideal candidate is an experienced servant leader who can lead managers and technical teams, influence cross-functional stakeholders, manage a portfolio of initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across people, process, technology, and governance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
10+ years of progressive experience in software development, application delivery, or technology leadership.
5+ years of leadership experience managing software development teams, technical managers, or cross-functional delivery teams.
Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise software initiatives from strategy and planning through delivery, adoption, and ongoing support.
Strong knowledge of software development methodologies, architecture principles, quality assurance, DevOps practices, security controls, and SDLC governance.
Proven experience building, developing, and retaining high-performing technical teams.
Experience establishing metrics, reporting, and governance to measure delivery performance, operational health, quality, risk, and business value.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, vendor relationships, resource plans, delivery priorities, and multiple initiatives in a complex environment.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Project and PowerPoint, and familiarity with development, collaboration, and work management tools.

Nice To Haves

Insurance, financial services, or other regulated industry experience preferred.
Experience leading application modernization, cloud adoption, data integration, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.
Experience with Agile, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, ITIL, DevOps, or related delivery and service management practices.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft 365, SharePoint, collaboration platforms, reporting tools, and enterprise application environments.

Responsibilities

Direct the design, development, and maintenance of Life Insurance Policy Administration Systems.
Define and execute the software development strategy, roadmap, and operating model in alignment with enterprise technology and business objectives.
Lead, develop, and scale high-performing software development teams, including managers, technical leads, engineers, analysts, and related delivery resources.
Provide leadership for recruiting, workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, coaching, mentoring, and career development.
Oversee a portfolio of software development initiatives, ensuring effective prioritization, resource allocation, delivery planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Establish and continuously improve software engineering standards, development methodologies, quality practices, release processes, documentation, and operational support models.
Partner with business leaders, product owners, infrastructure, security, data, compliance, audit, and vendor partners to deliver reliable and compliant technology solutions.
Drive adoption of modern development practices, tools, automation, metrics, and governance to improve delivery predictability, quality, security, and maintainability.
Manage escalations, critical issues, production-impacting concerns, and stakeholder expectations through timely resolution and transparent communication.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous learning, and adherence to Citizens’ values and cultural behaviors.