Manager-Application Development & Management

TDS Telecom•Middleton, WI

About The Position

At TDS Telecom, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting-edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact? In your new role as Manager-Application Development & Management you would supervise a team of Information Technology professionals that plan, design, develop, deploy, and support IT applications and systems in support of company initiatives. Projects may consist of small enhancements to existing systems to the development of new products and services. Projects include, but are not limited to, software package selection and implementation, custom software development, assisting in contract negotiation for the procurement of software, vendor implementation services, process improvement efforts, or contract consulting services. The position, at this level, is an experienced IT manager that leads teams that support the company's most critical systems with the highest skilled staff. The scope of responsibility is reduced to fewer systems or business units with all facets of IT service delivery or focused on operational support as part of a larger team. Systems may include servers (physical and virtual), operating systems, mass storage, commercial packaged software, or open-source software. Systems may be hosted at a TDS owned facility, a third party, or split across multiple facilities.

Requirements

Bachelors degree (or higher) -OR- 4+ years professional work experience.
8+ years of IT experience.
Knowledge of supervisory skills including recruitment, hiring, performance management, and termination.
Knowledge of company policies along with state and federal employment laws relevant to supervisory duties.
Knowledge of leadership skills such as building effective teams, motivating employees, creating plans for employee growth and development, mentoring, and positioning employees for advancement.
Knowledge of various project management tools to develop a comprehensive project work plan such as Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS), cash flow analysis, Gantt and network diagrams, and resource schedules.
Knowledge of techniques such as the Critical Path Method (CPM) to assess and report on risks in project schedule; knowledge of corrective action steps to reduce risks and mitigate problems.
Knowledge of System Development Life-Cycle (SDLC) methodologies such as Waterfall, Rapid Application Development, or Agile SCRUM.
Knowledge of system testing practices and tools.
Knowledge of problem-solving techniques and tools.
Knowledge of techniques for vendor product solicitation, evaluation, and selection.
General knowledge of the languages and tools typically used in software development including JAVA, .NET, PERL, COBOL, etc.
General knowledge of computer operating systems such as Windows, Solaris, Linux, OS/390, etc.
General knowledge of computer hardware and related infrastructure including servers, switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, and storage.
General knowledge of data networking including TCP/IP, IP subnetting, DNS, etc.
General knowledge of the techniques for developing and implementing secure software and host platforms.
General knowledge of database administration platforms, tools, and techniques for high-availability and high-performance systems.
General knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation including CPNI, PCI, CALEA, etc.
Knowledge of federal and state privacy regulations and the company's privacy and security policies.
Ability to travel as needed for company business and professional development.
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed for system implementations and resolving system problems.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of business analysis practices and business process modeling.
Knowledge of quality management and quality improvement practices.
Knowledge of team leadership skills, practices, and behaviors.
Knowledge of techniques, tools, and applicable laws to conduct effective and legal interviews.
Knowledge of techniques for writing and presenting business proposals to management.
Knowledge of techniques to establish business relationships with outside vendors.
Knowledge of effective writing and public speaking skills. Ability to convey complex information to general audiences.
Knowledge of techniques and models for initiating and promoting change (e.g. organizational, process, policy.)

Responsibilities

Ensures the successful implementation of systems that support company-wide business operations that may also span several business units within the company. Ensures that all activities and work products follow company development policies, procedures, and standards. Prepares workplans for product deliverables, manage human and fiscal resources, effectively negotiate timelines, scope, and cost constraints with project sponsors to attain project goals, oversee completion of tasks, provide status and completion reports to management, and administer the vendor contracts for the project.
Ensures IT systems are maintained to meet the agreed upon service levels for availability, reliability, performance, and cost. Proactively plan and implement routine maintenance, repairs, enhancements, and upgrades to ensure the systems continue to meet business demands until their decommissioning. Develop on-call rotational schedules, backup plans, and documentation necessary to ensure 24x7 support of systems essential to the operation of the company or the provisioning and delivery of products and services to customers.
Prepare cost benefit studies for proposed projects consistent with business goals and financial constraints using the appropriate financial analysis tools. Develop and maintain business cases for projects and complete the business value realization report at project completion. Establish project budgets, cost tracking mechanisms, processes for release of funds, and financial reporting for project sponsors and stakeholders. Take correction action as required to reduce financial risks and mitigate potential budget-related problems. Develop annual budget plans for new development, enhancements, maintenance, vendor support, and license fees.
Identify the talent needs for the team to satisfy accountabilities for project delivery and operational support. Develop plans to attract, hire, develop, and retain employees with the skills, knowledge, experience, and motivation needed to successfully support the team in providing IT services. Anticipate shifts in skill requirements and prepare employees to meet those future needs. Provide growth opportunities for employees through stretch assignments, professional development, coaching, mentoring, and feedback. Establish performance criteria for employees, evaluate performance, and provide employees with timely feedback. When necessary administer performance improvement plans or conduct employee terminations.
Communicate (e.g. written, verbal, social media, etc.) to appropriately engage and inform executive management, project sponsors, system stakeholders, and staff on project, system, financial, and team performance as appropriate. Communicate complex, technical information in a form and manner suitable for the audience to ensure maximum comprehension and to positively influence decision-makers. Establish trust with stakeholders through transparent, unbiased, factual, timely, and complete communication suitable for the targeted audience.
Establish, grow, and maintain professional business relationships with internal sponsors and project stakeholders, other support teams within the company, and external product and service vendors.
Maintains expert knowledge of the principles and practices of the company's chosen markets. Maintains expert knowledge of trends in project management best practices relevant to company's operations.
Establishes and maintains contacts with vendors important to the company's success.