JOB SUMMARY:

Oversees the successful operation and maintenance of data center technologies located in our various data center locations including data network services located throughout our enterprise. Provides leadership and guidance, sets expectations, establishes key objectives, sets work priorities, and recommends changes that improve efficiencies.

Positions works closely with IT leadership to develop and manage strategic goals.

JOB DUTIES:

• Ensures the reliability, performance, security, efficiency and effectiveness of all assets under management.
• Oversees policies and procedures related to infrastructure and operations. Reviews, approves and enforces proactive and preventative IT policies and procedures including those for security, disaster recovery, architecture, purchasing, application development, lifecycle maintenance, release management, asset management, vendor management, and incident management.
• Manages daily operations of IT support services, creating internal and external service-level agreements.
• Creates and manages capital and operating budgets, including long range planning
• Oversees telecommunications billing and vendor management to ensure best in class pricing
• Evaluates overall operations of computing and IT functions and recommends enhancements. Maintains and monitors the appropriate KPIs, SLA’s and OLA’s to measure and improve operations. Leads key IT resources to drive transformation and continuous improvements to deliver on enterprise objectives.
• Keeps up-to-date on information technology affecting functional areas to increase innovation.
• Coordinates with IT leadership and internal audit in responding to regulatory or auditing requests. Implements and manages governance processes that result in effective controls and alignment between the internal business and IT partners.
• Interacts with organization managers on internal and external operations that are impacted by the capture, storage, processing and dissemination of information
• Partners with Information Security to maintain industry standard security compliance on all data and systems
• Oversees the hiring and development of IT Operations staff. Provides leadership, technical and operational guidance, as well as mentoring to team members. Trains team members on gathering, interpreting, and communicating the impact of data-driven projects. Prioritizes work and ensures appropriate workforce planning to meet business needs.
• Builds organizational talent by creating a learning environment that ensures team members realize their highest potential.
• Makes recommendations regarding major capital expenditures to support enterprise solutions. Advises senior management on strategic systems conversions and integrations in support of business goals and objectives.
• Designs the tools and operations processes that support an organization growing in both size and impact. This includes program data and processes, as well as tools and processes driving business development.
• Identifies and develops innovative solutions to answer critical questions using data and technology.
• Structures and executes operational initiatives by developing project plans, gathering and synthesizing relevant data, leading analyses, and developing recommendations and requirements for technology and process. Ensures consistent and high-quality data reporting that supports the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Manages technology integration projects, including documentation of requirements, tool configuration, prototype testing, and launch.
• Oversees project logistics, including budget, schedule, and performance and quality objectives to ensure that company goals and quality standards are met throughout the life cycle.
• Exemplifies KCS Vision, Values, and Culture in each and every interaction with team, clients, and stakeholders.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university, preferably in Computer Science, Engineering or a similar technical discipline
• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, including leading and managing complex projects or programs with outcome focused deliverables, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum seven (7) years of IT managerial experience

 PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Progressive project management skills - Proven expertise in effectively managing activities on multiple, simultaneous projects and organizing complex activities
• Strategic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Experience negotiating with IT product vendors
• Experience managing staff in multiple countries
• Experience building and managing capital and operating budgets

The duties listed are representative of the job; however, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties a person may be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer/Veteran/Disabled. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Required Skills Required Experience