IT Operations Manager

MSF • Helena, MT

3d

About The Position

The IT Operations Manager is a hands-on leadership role responsible for leading the team that implements and maintains enterprise systems, supports production environments, and ensures stable, secure, and efficient data center operations. The position also designs, implements, and provides day-to-day support for Montana State Fund’s on-premises and cloud systems infrastructure.

The role conducts analysis and research to inform the technical direction of future MSF systems, provides strategic insights, supports and manages complex IT and insurance projects, and carries out special projects as assigned. It leads IT operations teams and partners with business leaders, vendors, contractors, and cross-functional IT teams to deliver technology solutions and support operational and strategic priorities.

The IT Operations Manager works directly with the IT Operations Director on operational planning, budgets, vendor management, and infrastructure lifecycle management. The role also ensures appropriate coverage for the on-call schedule supporting mission-critical data center systems 24/7 and manages backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position.
• Five years of IT business operations experience or IT applications experience, including two years in an IT operations technical leadership role.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Customer and growth mindset.
• Empathy.
• Accountability.
• Adaptability.
• Resiliency.
• Communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a field relevant to the position.
• Three years of experience in insurance or a 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of Montana State Fund’s on-premises and cloud systems infrastructure.
• Manage systems administration, production support, and data center operations, including performance monitoring and tuning, IT batch processing, and hardware and software platform upgrades.
• Direct system administration functions, including new system procurement and configuration, software installations, code deployments, proactive system monitoring, and maintenance.
• Lead IT operations teams, including hiring, work assignments, scheduling, training, professional development, and problem resolution.
• Motivate, coach, and develop staff to perform in alignment with business goals and expectations.
• Collaborate with business leaders, vendors, contractors, and cross-functional IT teams to deliver technology solutions, manage critical incidents, drive operational excellence, and support strategic initiatives and projects.
• Work with the IT Operations Director on operational planning, IT operations budgets, vendor management, and infrastructure lifecycle management.
• Ensure appropriate on-call schedule coverage for 24/7 support of MSF data center mission-critical systems.
• Manage backup and recovery and disaster recovery procedures for MSF systems and data.
• Conduct analysis and research to inform the technical direction of future MSF systems, provide strategic insights, support and manage complex IT and insurance projects, and carry out special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance with dental, vision, life, long-term disability, and optional dependent coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care and medical expenses.
• Public employees’ retirement plan with tax-deferred contributions and an employer match.
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan.
• Higher education reimbursement and other training and development programs.
• Personal leave, paid holidays, and extended leave.
• Competitive compensation program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager