GLO - Senior Director of Application Services (Director V)

Job Description

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources. The Senior Director of Application Services position is with our Information Technology Services division.

The Information Technology Services (ITS) team advances the mission of the GLO through technology. We deliver innovative technology solutions and services to the agency and are a value partner in our mission success. We are committed to operating with a growth mindset, developing sustainable solutions, providing excellent customer service, and safeguarding the IT resources of the agency. ITS leverages the capabilities of the most advanced technology platforms to drive innovation, transparency, and connection for Texans.

As the Senior Director of Application Services, you will play a crucial role in directing, supervising, and coordinating the work of the Application Services teams in delivering IT services and executing IT projects. Your role will extend to serving as the Data Management Officer for the agency, where you will be responsible for developing, leading, and executing a data management program, ensuring alignment with Texas Government Code Sec. 2054.137.

Your vision will be instrumental in strategic planning for the Application Services teams, as you collaborate with IT leadership to develop and implement long-term strategic plans for IT applications, platforms, and service delivery. You will oversee all aspects of personnel management for your direct reports, contribute to the development of SOWs, evaluate third-party vendor proposals, and assist in the development of agency reporting responsibilities.

Performs statewide highly advanced work for the Information Technology Services (ITS) division of the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Serving as the Senior Director of Application Services, this position performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the application development, geospatial and business intelligence teams.

Work involves establishing the strategic plan and goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating business strategy program activities and/or business functions; and reviewing and approving budgets within the division. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned may include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Program Management (texas.gov)

In order to receive Veteran's preference, a copy of the DD #214 is required at the time of interview.

Benefits:

Free Parking

Defined Retirement Benefit Plan

Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts

Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employee's premium and 25% for eligible dependents.

Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance

Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year Annual leave increases with length of service.

Essential Job Elements:

Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work of the Application Services teams in the delivery of IT services and the execution of IT projects.

Serves as the Data Management Officer for the agency. Develops, leads, and executes a data management program for the agency. Ensures alignment and fulfillment of the responsibilities outlined in Texas Government Code Sec. 2054.137

Manages strategic planning for the Application Services teams and domains of responsibility. Collaborates with IT leadership to develop and implement long-term strategic plans for IT applications and platforms, IT service delivery, and IT business strategy.

Develops and implements IT applications and platform guidance, road maps, standards, and best practices for the Application Services teams. Develops and implements policies and procedures to support. Monitors compliance with policies and procedures.

Develops, reviews, and monitors operational and personnel needs for geospatial, application development, and business intelligence areas. Oversees all aspects of personnel management for direct reports, including the recruiting, training, professional development, goal setting, evaluation, and performance management activities.

Contributes to the development of SOWs and requirements for services engagements and managed service contracts in partnership with IT Business Services and ITS leadership. Oversees and evaluates proposals and work products of third-party vendors to determine the quality, accuracy, and completeness.

Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of reports and studies pertinent to IT applications and platforms, including management, productivity, and financial reports. Assists with the development of the agency reporting responsibilities, IT legislative appropriation requests (LAR) and other state reporting responsibilities. Provides oversight and support on audits and other assessment activities.



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems, computer engineering or a related field; or related work experience.

8 years or more of professional experience in an IT leadership role with oversight for application development or data engineering.

Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working within or leading multiple teams responsible for software application development and maintenance in an enterprise environment.

Experience with recruiting, developing, and managing team members. Strong coaching, and mentoring skills.

Experience with diverse lines of business and a strong business acumen with the ability to understand business priorities, operations, and IT enablement potential.

Experience with software development project and workflow management tools, source control, continuous integration, and continuous deployment. Knowledge of capabilities of project and workflow management tools such as Microsoft ADO or Atlassian Jira.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the principles, best practices, techniques, and implementations of Agile software development lifecycles, including Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps.

Knowledge of server operating systems, enterprise applications, cloud-based application platforms, data management and storage, information security, and hybrid (cloud and on-premise) platform environments.

Knowledge of enterprise architecture in the area of IaaS, identity and access management (IAM), collaboration platforms, and security technology.

Knowledge of capabilities and application development frameworks of declarative development cloud-based platforms such as Salesforce and Microsoft Power Platform.

Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office productivity applications: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint.

Knowledge and understanding of the software development life cycle process from ideation and requirements elicitation through deployment, maintenance, and retirement.

Knowledge of the responsibilities outlined in Texas Government Code Sec. 2054.137. Experience in establishing and managing a data governance program, including data asset identification, policy and standards enforcement, data stewardship, data risk management, and data security and confidentiality.

Proficiency and professionalism in multiple communication mediums and channels, including verbal and written communication, email, chat, video conferencing, presentation, and workflow management platforms (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jira). Adept at listening to and seeking to understand different or conflicting views.

Skill in analyzing business processes, problem identification, systems and procedures, solving complex problems, and explaining abstract concepts in concrete terms in a customer-oriented production environment.

Skills in decision-making, project management, and IT personnel management.

Skill in communicating with clarity, conciseness, and empathy.

Skill in establishing trust, creating autonomy, empowering individuals, and teams, and providing impactful and actionable feedback.

Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and work management skills at both the human and the technical levels.

Skill in planning, prioritization, and in resource focus and allocation.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others in both in-person and remote working environments.

Ability to analyze issues, to work under pressure and meet close deadlines, communicate effectively, and assign and/or supervise the work of others.

Ability to identify and create innovative solutions. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and to work both independently and as part of a team.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to any level of the organization in a clear and concise manner.

Ability to work under pressure and successfully manage multiple overlapping deadlines.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions effectively.

Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the work-site) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.