IT Operations Director

About the Job

Montana State Fund (MSF) is seeking an IT Operations Director to lead reliable, secure, and efficient delivery of technology services.

• Strategic IT Operations Leadership: Provide strategic leadership and direction for IT Operations, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient infrastructure, systems, help desk, and technology services that align with MSF business objectives.
• People Leadership and Talent Development: Lead and develop a high‑performing, customer‑focused IT Operations team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Partnership: Partner collaboratively with business leaders, executives, vendors, and cross‑functional IT teams to deliver technology solutions, manage critical incidents, and support strategic initiatives.
• Operational Governance and Administration: Oversee IT Operations governance and administration, including service delivery metrics, operational planning, budgets, vendor management, infrastructure lifecycle management, and continuous process improvement.
• Manage vendor relationships and budgets effectively to optimize service quality, control costs, and ensure technology investments support MSF’s strategic and operational objectives.
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organization, leveraging outstanding communication and leadership to drive collaborative initiatives.

Manage vendor relationships, control costs, and ensure technology investments support MSF’s strategic needs. Foster strong stakeholder relationships and lead collaborative initiatives.

Fast‑paced general office environment. Some stress may occur. Requires sitting for extended periods, standing, visual acuity, manual dexterity, detailed verbal communication, and fine finger manipulation for working with computer keyboards.

Salary range: $149,400 to $186,700 per year (exempt). Telework Eligible (Full‑time telework not available; schedule must be supervisor approved).

Benefits:
Excellent health insurance with dental, vision, life, long‑term disability and more (optional dependent coverage); flexible spending accounts; public employees’ retirement plan with employer match; optional 457(b) deferred compensation; higher education reimbursement; personal leave, paid holidays, and extended leave.

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and ten (10) years of IT business operations or IT applications experience, including four (4) years in IT operations leadership.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Five (5) years’ experience in insurance or related industry.
• Experience working with Guidewire Insurance Suite or similar insurance solutions.
• Experience with AWS cloud.
• Certifications such as AWS Solution Architect, PMP, or Agile.

• Seasoned operations leader with deep experience in IT service delivery, infrastructure, or applications.
• Thrives in fast‑paced environments, excels at managing complexity, and leads with a focus on stability, customer experience, and continuous improvement.
• Communicates clearly, collaborates naturally, and builds trust across all levels.
• Enjoys solving operational challenges, guiding teams through change, and ensuring mission‑critical systems are reliable, secure, and aligned with business needs.
• Strong ownership, curiosity, speed, intention, and consistent delivery of high‑quality results.
• Customer and growth mindset, empathy, accountability, resiliency.

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay tana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.