Assistant Director, Product Development

Responsibilities

 

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive cloud strategy, ensuring effective utilization of cloud computing while maintaining data integrity, security, and cost-efficiency.
• Provide visionary leadership in developing and integrating software applications, aligning them with organizational objectives and ensuring seamless IT-business collaboration.
• Champion automation at all stages of software development, release, operations, and maintenance to increase software quality and reduce costs.
• Manage the Product Development Group (PDG) department operational and strategic planning, including business requirements, processes, improvements, and organizing and negotiating the allocation of resources.
• Establish clear goals and define desired outcomes for the PDG: scalability, cost reduction, agility, innovation, etc.
• Stay updated with the latest software development trends and technologies, advocating for best practices and continuous learning within the team.

 

 

Operational Management

• Where necessary, re-engineer application support to ensure it aligns with business processes, tactical planning, and strategic vision.
• Develop technology roadmap, ensuring the evolution of applications aligns with organizational priorities.
• Refactor or rearchitect applications for cloud-native benefits, leveraging microservices, containerization, and serverless technologies.
• Define and communicate project milestones, service level agreements, and resource allocation to the executive team, department leads, support staff, and end-users.
• Develop and review budgets for and from Society Technology department and ensure they comply with stated goals, guidelines, and objectives.
• Review performance of IT systems to determine operating costs, productivity levels, and upgrade requirements.
• Benchmark, analyze, report on, and make recommendations for improving the application infrastructure and systems.
• Authorize and oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and support of all hardware and software based on department needs.
• Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
• Direct research on potential technology solutions and implementations in support of new initiatives, opportunities, and procurement efforts.
• Lead and optimize a diverse team, managing both on-shore and off-shore resources, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with business objectives.
• Coordinate and oversee the allocation of resources, balancing the strengths and capacities of on-shore and off-shore teams to optimize productivity and project outcomes.
• Regularly explore new tools and technologies to improve development efficiency, quality and align with business requirements.
• Develop and implement all IT policies and procedures, including architecture, security, disaster recovery, standards, purchasing, and service provision.
• Oversee negotiation and administration of vendor, outsourcer, and consultant contracts and service agreements.
• Manage IT staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and disciplinary actions.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.
• Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organization's executives, department heads, and end-users regarding pertinent IT activities.

 

 

Required Experience and Attributes

• 10 years' experience managing and/or directing an IT operation.
• Fundamental understanding of cloud computing concepts and fundamentals (serverless, scalability, high availability, and durability)
• Proven experience in software application strategic planning and development, project management, and policy development.
• Good understanding and technical knowledge of current network and SaaS and On-premise software solutions.
• Experience with systems design and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.
• Knowledge of business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations.
• Experience with MuleSoft APIs.
• Experience with development and deployment of solutions that are cloud agnostic.
• Experience in supporting customers in different continents.
• Experience in developing applications with CI/CD, DevOps, High Availability, Disaster Recovery, and Scalability needs.
• Experience with Salesforce, Adobe Commerce, Association Management Systems, and other various integrated software solutions.
• Proven experience in leading teams working on different OS (Linux, Window), Databases (MS