IS Manager Data Center & Windows

IS Manager Data Center & Windows

The Manager of I.S. Data Center and Windows is responsible for the company’s Information Systems Windows server and data center teams. This position requires a senior leader capable of collaborating with the network and security teams, communications group and desktop operations to ensure continuous operation and computing infrastructure. This position is a key succession role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Full design, operations and support management responsibility for Information Systems data centers and the x86 platform servers, including several locations. Specific responsibilities include:

• Regularly reviews server systems to ensure appropriate system patches, microcode, and firmware have been applied; participates in evaluating and testing potential patches, and monitors the vendors for notice of threats or emerging issues.
• Monitors new developments in server and data center technology, and changes in business needs, and develops equipment strategy, architecture and plans to strengthen and improve the computer systems of the company as appropriate, in collaboration with Director of Enterprise Technology.
• Ensures that new applications systems and infrastructure components adhere to defined architecture requirements and standards, while also planning and guiding the evolution of the windows server and data center environments to support the requirements of new systems and business initiatives.
• Develops and recommends IT computer operations policies for adoption and implementation by senior management.
• Manages development of server and data center standards to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership for the IT environment.
• Collaborates with IT management and other IT functions (Security and Network Operations, Communication Systems, Application Development and Support, and Technical Architecture and Planning) in the design and implementation of processes which enhance the stability of IT and business operations.
• Lead the technical support and maintenance tasks necessary to operate and monitor the IT server environment and to respond to problems as they arise.
• Implements best practice processes and systems to manage authentication systems, backup and restore systems and methods, email server infrastructure, active directory, DNS, DHCP, file and print services.
• Seeks ongoing consolidation, virtualization, and efficiency based improvements.
• Maintains ongoing technical and process expertise with regards to the company’s disaster recovery program.
• Reports significant system outages and causes to IT management and recommends changes to the IT environment as necessary.
• Evaluates and recommends tool sets in the windows, data center, and batch operations areas to provide operational or organizational improvement.
• Evaluate and track capacity across the windows server and data center environments and report capacity and growth trends to leadership as required.
• Communicates for impact.
• Participate in strategic projects including assigning resources and ensuring that architectural plans are being adhered to.
• Facilitate team to operate an unmanned, remote data center as the primary production facility.
• Evaluate, plan, and remediate open audit points as they are discovered.
• Collaborate with operational support vendors (IBM. Symantec, Dell, Microsoft, others) to ensure the appropriate support model and cost is applied to all equipment and services.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises a total of 10-12 highly technical employees in the Technical Operations department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

At a minimum, Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university and over 6 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and training.

• Minimum of 6 years of experience and a proven track record in managing a sophisticated data center hosting mid-range systems ideally including large unix systems, significant quantities of Windows systems, VMWare, and a robust EMC SAN.
• Current and demonstrated expertise in IT server operations, systems, and management processes in a fast paced, dynamic, and highly evolving environment.
• Fundamental understanding of complex data center design and deployment topics including power and cooling management, collocation management, copper and fiber cable infrastructure, unmanned data center management, and more.
• Verifiable knowledge of best practices in server operations, including backup and recovery processes, disaster recovery planning and execution, server virtualization, and more.
• Experience with design and implementation of monitoring and reporting processes within an IT server operation.
• Proven track record managing department level projects in the data center build/migration or Microsoft services space (Exchange, AD, MOSS, etc).
• Must be a strong team player and excellent collaborator.
• Maturity, poise, and confidence in the face of adversity.
• Effective decision-making skills, even under pressure and while lacking all of the desired information detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with a broad range of groups and individuals, including IT technicians, vendors, internal and external service providers, IT management, and business unit staff.
• Must be a disciplined process-oriented manager, able to lead implementation of best practice controls and processes.
• Must be highly organized and capable of providing technical leadership while requiring minimal day-to-day guidance.
• Possess superior problem solving skills for a complex network topology, being able to assemble a team as needed to identify issues, root causes and solutions.
• Able to communicate difficult technical concepts clearly to a variety of individuals of varying technical expertise and understanding.