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Feeding America
Chicago, Illinois
Position Description
The Director of Applications role is to supervise and maintain the organization’s repository of software applications through best practices and the appropriate staffing and management of a technical team and ensure the design and software architectures support core organizational functions. This individual will apply proven communication and problem-solving skills to guide and assist the user group on issues related to the design, development, and deployment of mission-critical information and software systems, as well as evaluate and select all technologies required to complete those plans.
Job Responsibilities
- Implement long-term strategic goals and short-term tactical plans for managing and maintaining systems and software.
- Ensure that proposed and existing systems architectures are aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
- Provide architectural expertise, direction, and assistance to Systems Analysts, Engineers, and software development teams.
- Develop, document, and communicate plans for investing in systems, including analysis of cost reduction opportunities.
- Conduct research on emerging technologies in support of systems development efforts, and recommend technologies that will increase cost effectiveness and systems flexibility.
- Ensure that applications meet business needs and systems goals, fulfill requirements, and identify and resolve systems issues.
- Review existing applications effectiveness and efficiency, and develop strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.
- Cultivate and disseminate knowledge of application-usage best practices.
- Where applicable, design, develop, and oversee implementation of end-to-end integrated systems.
- Document the company’s existing systems architecture and technology portfolio; make recommendations for improvements and/or alternatives.
- Research and make recommendations on software products and services in support of procurement and development efforts.
- Evaluate, install, configure, and deploy new applications, systems software, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout the enterprise.
- Collaborate with analysts, designers, and system owners in the testing of new software programs and applications.
- Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality.
- Ensure that any new software integration into company systems meets functional requirements, system compliance, and interface specifications.
- Coordinate studies for software and system products under consideration for purchase, and give advice based on findings.
- Contribute to pre-testing phase of development by evaluating proposals in order to identify potential problem areas, and make the appropriate recommendations.
- Negotiate contracts with software and service providers.
- Liaise with company’s software suppliers for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies.
- Confer with users, clients, or management to define requirements for complex systems and infrastructure development.
- Model business and systems processes based on findings through use case scenarios, workflow diagrams, and data models.
- Develop and execute test plans to check infrastructure and systems technical performance. Report on findings and make recommendations for improvement.
- Develop, document, communicate, and enforce a policy for standardizing systems and software as necessary.
- Manage and provide direction for the application team in support of business operations.
- Liaise with network administrators and software engineers to assist with quality assurance, program logic, and data processing.
- Compile and maintain inventory of company software and systems assets and their corresponding contracts/agreements.
- Develop and communicate training and documentation for end users.
- Develop, distribute, and coordinate in-depth end-user reviews for modified and new systems or applications.
Application Qualifications
- BA/BS degree in computer systems design or computer science.10 years work experience.
- 5 years direct experience managing applications and/or systems management.
- Experience in developing strategic systems architecture plans.
- Hands-on experience with business requirements gathering/analysis.
- Proven experience in systems and network design and development.
- Technically fluent in programming languages, including .Net.
- Strong understanding of information processing principles and practices.
- Solid grounding in core enterprise applications, including ERP and CRM systems.
- In-depth technical knowledge of network, PC, and platform operating systems, including Windows and Windows Server.
- Working technical knowledge of current systems software, protocols, and standards.
- Expert knowledge of programming languages, including .Net and Java.
- Hands-on experience with application development tools, including Visual Studio.
- Strong knowledge of software evaluation principles and practices.
- Proven project planning and management experience.
- Good knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
Deadline
Open
How to Apply
Application Contact
Human Resources
35 East Wacker Drive, #2000
Chicago, IL 60601
jobopenings@feedingamerica.orgNational Office Benefits
Learn More about the benefits offered by Feeding America.