at Southern Company in Naperville, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Corporate Services Systems Application Portfolio
Application Development Supervisor-Corporate Back-Office Technologies (CBOT)
Level 7
Job Description
The Corporate Services Systems Portfolio, within the SCS Technology Organization (TO), provides support for ~160+ highly diverse application solutions for ~20+ different functional & departmental Business Partners, across the enterprise. The Application Development Supervisor – Corporate Back-Office Technologies (CBOT) will function as a key role within the Corporate Services Systems Portfolio, providing technical leadership and consultation, in support of the unique and evolving business imperatives – and associated technology needs – of the supported Business Partners. This position will be responsible for supervising a team of Application Developers and Analysts responsible for a sub-set of ~70+ application solutions for External Affairs (Corporate Communication, Governmental/Legislative Affairs, & Region/Division Affairs), Charitable Giving & Volunteer Services, Corporate Safety & Health, Risk Management, and Disability Management.
The Application Development Supervisor will be responsible for managing the Portfolio – CBOT Business Partner relationships and associated application solutions, which includes strategic planning, current and new application solutions, application lifecycle management, stakeholder communications, resource and vendor management, and technology budgeting. This position will provide work/task planning, direction, and prioritization, performance feedback and coaching, and training/development plans for the Portfolio-CBOT team to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to provide comprehensive application solution support that meets or exceeds Business Partner expectations.
As a leader in TO, the Application Development Supervisor will combine business and TO acumen with cross-functional leadership skills, to collaborate and innovate with both TO and Business Partner stakeholders, to facilitate and execute a range of diverse, line-of-business projects to achieve maximum business value and exceptional customer service/satisfaction through the appropriate use of technology.
Job Responsibilities
+ Provide technical guidance and direction to the Portfolio – CBOT technical team, leading the strategic and tactical directions for day-to-day activities.
+ Embed with supported Business Partners – building strong relationships and serving as a trusted technology advisor – to enhance the strategic partnership with TO.
+ Serve as the initial, management point-of-contact for Portfolio – CBOT application solutions.
+ Collaborate with the Portfolio Manager, Technology Planning Analysts, and Application Solutions Architect to explore technology governance and strategic technology planning opportunities for supported Business Partners, to drive development of requisite technology roadmaps to provide prioritization of pertinent technology projects/initiatives for implementation, in support of business imperatives.
+ Own and manage end-to-end software lifecycle plans/processes for Portfolio – CBOT application solutions.
+ Implementation of new application solutions (custom development, third-party package, or SaaS).
+ Enhancements, upgrades, migrations, etc. of existing application solutions.
+ Coordinate planning and execution of application solution release cycles.
+ Assist in rationalizing eligible application solutions.
+ Operational support/maintenance activities for all application solutions.
+ Ensure all required support documentation is in place and routinely updated, inclusive of applicable business continuity/disaster recovery plans.
+ Implement and maintain support/maintenance processes focused on identification and mitigation of root cause.
+ Develop and execute communication plans to notify stakeholders of operational or project activity with application solution and/or business process impacts.
+ Own and manage a comprehensive, prioritized Portfolio – CBOT team workplan to ensure delivery on commitments.
+ Ensure technical resources are effectively utilized; maintain the ability to flex to meet Business Partners demands.
+ Own and manage new application solution requests for supported Business partners – solution research, evaluation, recommendation, design, implementation/cost proposal, and execution.
+ Own and manage Portfolio – CBOT application solution vendor relationships – contracts, SOWs, service levels, etc.
+ Focus on strong value-add partnerships to meet the imperatives of supported Business Partners.
+ Establish and maintain strong partnerships/working relationships with other TO organizations and resources.
+ Ensure full understanding of, and alignment with, annual budgets for Portfolio – CBOT application solutions.
+ Provide input to annual budget development process.
+ Provide requisite budget-to-actuals variance explanations.
+ Ensure adherence with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, as well as with requisite SCS TO policies, procedures, and standards.
+ Attract, develop, retain, and manage a diverse group of technical employees.
+ Responsible for hiring, performance management, retirement, and termination (if necessary) of direct reports.
+ Responsible for providing daily work direction, mentoring, coaching, and feedback to direct reports – lead the team to superior performance.
+ Responsible for development of employees from both a technical and Subject Matter Expertise perspective.
+ Responsible for workforce planning to ensure both current and future state needs are met – maximize talent resources, prepare for future opportunities, and plan for succession of critical roles.
+ Other duties or special projects as assigned by leadership.
Education & Experience
+ Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, business, or a related field is required. An advanced degree is a plus.
+ Five (5) or more years of recent experience working in a dynamic technology organization supporting a range of small/medium/large application solutions, for both departmental-level needs, as well as enterprise-level needs.
+ Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
+ Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of software development methodologies, technologies, tools, and computing infrastructure.
+ Demonstrated understanding of how technology solutions – existing and emerging – can be applied to meet/support business imperatives.
+ Proven leadership and management skills, including the ability to build strong, results-oriented teams and to lead/motivate in a dynamic and evolving environment.
+ Proven record of achieving measurable business results working through and with others.
+ Demonstrated leadership skills with major technology projects.
+ Proven ability to build relationships with Business Partners of varying levels and technical proficiency.
+ Proven ability to effectively work with, and manage engagements with, software vendors and consultants.
+ Demonstrated ability to make sound business recommendations based on available technology and financial information.
+ Proven ability to estimate, and meet costs and timelines, related to project commitments.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
+ Comprehensive leadership skills, recognizable by others.
+ Comprehensive customer service skills – ability to consistently deliver on commitments.
+ Strong project management skills – including the ability to facilitate solutions consulting/brokering, perform budget/financial analyses, organize and manage multiple tasks/priorities/details, manage teamwork and communication, meet tight schedules/deadlines, and deliver on commitments.
+ Expert analytical, diagnostic/troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
