Director of Application Development

Overview

Provides leadership and direction to support business objectives of Western & Southern Financial Group (W&SFG) through cost-effective use of technology, staff and appropriate business practices. Lead and develops a team of skilled personnel, and/or managers, responsible for production support and development efforts across a broad spectrum of technical responsibilities and several business units, including all phases of the systems development and implementation process. While working closely with the business unit, effectively translate business strategy and objectives into technological capability to ensure best in class solutions that are of high quality, cost-effective, sustainable and market leading. Works with minimal supervision and is responsible for independently making a broad range of critical decisions, escalating to executive-level associates only when appropriate.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Plans, directs, coordinates and controls all project activities including feasibility, requirements gathering, project scope, cost estimates, design, programming, testing, implementation and support. Directs and coordinates project activities of diverse levels of associates across IT teams and business unit departments, including other management and high-level staff personnel.
• Ensures efficient, cost-effective operation of their assigned teams while maintaining an appropriate minimum number and level of properly trained individuals.
• Manages multiple application development for one or more business segments, including all phases of the systems development and implementation process.
• Manages staff and/or managers that support a broad range of applications that encompass many technologies, business units, and domains focused on delivering many solutions.
• Collaborates with the business to understand business strategy and needs, customer needs and market trends that have impact on improving the business.
• Works collaboratively with business partners in defining, developing, and implementing technology solutions that have impact on improving and enabling growth for the business.
• Maintain knowledge on current and emerging trends in our business and information technology being aware of strategies and major operational activities. Participate in industry practice groups and share ideas with W&SFG.
• Assists in hardware, software and technology evaluations.
• Chairs and/or serves on management-level committees and task forces.
• Develops and executes project initiatives that meet the priorities of Western & Southern Financial Group (W&SFG).
• Follows and ensures adherence to all established IT standards.
• Proactively addresses potential systems problems to deliver smooth running, accurate application systems. Communicates problems and participates actively in the decision-making process to resolve them.
• Maintains and recommends ways to improve Information Technology's management processes and tools.
• Attracts, recruits and develops staff with the right skills, competencies and cultural fit. Fosters the performance and development of associates and leaders to reach their full potential.
• Reports the status of departmental and committee responsibilities orally and in writing, as required.
• Effectively negotiates hardware, software and service contracts with vendors.
• Coordinates application systems emergency recovery activities for assigned team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree In Business, Finance or IT is preferred or commensurate experience. - Preferred
• Proven experience coordinating multiple Information Technology projects/assignments simultaneously, and completing assigned tasks accurately and on a timely basis. Must demonstrate strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills. Expected to cite examples of organization and time management methods used to manage or prioritize workload demands - Required
• Demonstrated experience leading and motivating teams. This includes providing direction, coaching and effective feedback to team members. - Required
• Demonstrated experience working independently. Experience must include identifying and resolving problems where independent decision-making and initiative were demonstrated. - Required
• Proven experience interacting with corporate and department management throughout the Company and external vendors. - Required
• Demonstrated experience to apply knowledge of up-to-date industry and technical information to attain business objectives. - Required
• Proven strong analytical skills, including demonstrated experience identifying, defining and quantifying problems; collecting or interpreting data, establishing facts, and providing effective solutions. Cite examples of good decision-making skills when dealing with multiple alternatives. -
• Strong project management skills - cite examples of developing, organizing, initiating and maintaining a project and successfully accomplishing set goals. -
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills; conveys information to internal and external customers in a clear, accurate, focused and concise manner. -
• Demonstrated ability to document procedures and activities in a manner that is understandable to others, demonstrating use of the English language to include exemplary knowledge, in verbal and written format, of the elements of grammar, punctuation, diction and spelling proficiency. -
• Demonstrated ability to foresee future requirements for an organization and develop plans to meet those requirements. -
• Proven strategic thinking from concept to implementation to facilitate solutions that drive results and valuable impact on the organization. -
• Demonstrated adaptability when required to adjust to multiple demands/deadlines, shifting priorities, ambiguity and rapid change. -
• Demonstrated ability to partner with and influence business and IT leadership in the definition and business case development of strategies -
• Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. -
• Working knowledge of database applications. -

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Travel Requirements:

• None