VP IT Engineering and Operations Manager presso Independent Bank

 ^{Be You. Be Independent!}  

Are you experienced in IT Operations Manager and looking to advance in your career? If so, we need you!

At Independent Bank we promote a culture that encourages professional growth and embraces the collective sum of your individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent. We value diversity of thought, ideas, and background. Our inclusive and collaborative culture helps us find the best solutions to meet the needs of our clients and company.

About the Job:

This position reports to the SVP, CIO. The IT Operations Manager is responsible for leading the bank’s IT operations, encompassing service delivery, data center technologies, and network infrastructure. This role involves managing daily administration of enterprise systems, supervising IT operations personnel, and maintaining robust relationships with Managed Services providers. The IT Operations Manager ensures the alignment of IT services with business objectives, oversees critical incident management, and contributes to IT transformation initiatives. Additionally, this role plays a pivotal part in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and the successful execution of disaster recovery strategies. 

Why You Should Apply: 

• Comprehensive total rewards package.
• A knowledgeable, goal-driven, and exciting team of colleagues.
• Exposure to different areas of banking and the ability to work with leaders within the industry.
• Community-focused events and volunteer opportunities.

What You Will Do:  

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the IT Operations Support Team, ensuring the team is equipped with the necessary skills and resources to meet service level expectations. This includes recruiting, training, mentoring, and evaluating staff performance.
• Architect technology solutions that meet the needs of the business, and collaborate with other technology groups within the company to build comprehensive, integrated platforms.
• Collaborate with auditors and security teams to ensure strict adherence to regulatory compliance, governance policies, and internal procedures, safeguarding the bank’s IT operations against risks.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for significant incidents that impact service delivery. Lead the resolution efforts to ensure timely and effective problem-solving, minimizing service disruptions.
• Work closely with IT management to establish and enforce standards and best practices for managing internal and hosted infrastructure, including network access, server administration, and data center operations.
• Oversee daily system administration tasks, including management of internal networks, remote access, Microsoft Active Directory (AD) / Azure Active Directory, Exchange Online, and disaster recovery protocols, ensuring system availability and reliability.
• Regularly monitor and report on system and infrastructure availability, providing monthly reports to the CIO on uptime metrics and service-impacting incidents.
• Develop, document, and ensure compliance with a comprehensive IT Operations "Playbook" that outlines all repeatable operational tasks, supporting consistency and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain a lifecycle management plan for all infrastructure hardware, ensuring it aligns with industry best practices and supports the bank’s long-term IT strategy.
• Oversee the Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) environment, including scheduling and managing regular maintenance, patch management, and security updates to protect all systems.
• Plan, design, and implement a robust disaster recovery strategy that ensures business continuity in an IT failure or disaster.
• Manage change management processes for IT systems, coordinating with affected business units and ensuring clear communication and documentation throughout the process.
• Act as the primary liaison with external vendors, ensuring that service levels are met and that any issues are promptly resolved. Conduct formal service reviews with key stakeholders to maintain high levels of satisfaction.
• Participate in the budgeting process to ensure that service agreements and equipment contracts are appropriately planned and funded.
• Design, implement, and oversee the enforcement of IT systems policies and procedures, ensuring they meet the bank's operational and security requirements.
• Provide technical direction and support to the analyst team in developing and implementing systems and troubleshooting complex issues.
• Ensure all IT operations documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and reviewed regularly. Continuously seek opportunities to improve efficiency and quality of service, presenting recommendations to IT management.
• Implement proactive procedures for monitoring network infrastructure performance, identifying potential capacity issues, and recommending enhancements to maintain optimal operation.
• Work in collaboration with the IT management team to support both internal and externally initiated projects and service tickets, ensuring they align with the bank's strategic goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the IT department.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop IT teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Extensive experience in managing IT infrastructure, including server administration, networking, and data center operations, with expertise in Microsoft Windows Server and Active Directory.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the capability to manage and resolve complex IT incidents, ensuring minimal service disruption.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and governance standards, ensuring IT operations are compliant with industry and legal obligations.
• Expertise in designing and implementing robust disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity and data protection.
• Experience in managing vendor relationships and service level agreements (SLAs), ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Strong understanding of IT security principles and data protection measures, with the ability to implement and manage comprehensive security strategies.
• Proven ability to coordinate and manage IT projects, aligning them with business goals and ensuring successful delivery.
• Ability to anticipate IT challenges, identify inefficiencies, and develop strategic solutions to enhance IT operations.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with both technical and non-technical stakeholders across the organization. 
• Four-year degree preferred or applicable experience.
• Five (5) years of experience in supervision of technical team.
• Three (3) years of appropriate experience supporting IT infrastructure and service delivery, preferably with a medium to large organization.
• Good understanding of server & desktop hardware/operating systems, networks, firewalls and load balancers, telecoms, virtualization, etc.
• A probing and analytical approach with the ability to identify and 'get in front' of potential problems and inefficiencies.
• A very strong customer orientated approach with a delivery bias;
• Ability to prioritize and allocate resource/effort appropriately.             

Be YOU. Be Independent!