IT Manager – Data Center Operations

Introduction

We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs. We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them. This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future.

This position will work First Shift: 7:30am - 4:10 pm CST.

We are seeking an experienced and driven IT Manager – Data Center Operations to lead a 24/7 IT Operations team. This individual will oversee the performance of IT staff across three shifts, ensuring optimal service delivery, systems uptime, and continuous improvement of IT operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, technical, and strategic planning skills to support the evolving needs of the business.

• Lead and manage the IT Operations department across three shifts.
• Set objectives and evaluate performance of IT staff; foster a high-performing, accountable team culture.
• Recruit, develop, and retain talented IT professionals to support current and future operational needs.
• Drive operational excellence, with support where needed, by organizing and leading quality improvement initiatives.
• Prepare detailed activity and progress reports on departmental performance and initiatives.
• Assign resources to projects, direct day-to-day activities, and assess quality and effectiveness of team deliverables.
• Provide guidance on administrative processes, technical challenges, prioritization, and operational procedures.
• Oversee feasibility studies, cost and time estimation, and implementation of new or enhanced systems and programs.
• Use judgment and innovation to recommend improvements to existing procedures and develop new solutions where needed.
• Define and implement IT strategies, policies, and procedures that enhance efficiency and align with organizational goals.
• Ensure the organization's IT infrastructure supports strategic plans and business objectives.
• Manage project timelines, resource coordination, and stakeholder communication.
• Conduct system audits, verify compliance, and ensure the integrity of IT systems and processes.
• Implement and maintain disaster recovery plans, backup solutions, and robust information security controls.
• Prepare and manage the department’s annual budget, analyze financial variances, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain quality service by establishing and enforcing operational standards and best practices.
• Build and manage strong relationships with strategic vendors and business stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS), or a related technical field preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IT operations, with exposure to the insurance or financial services industry strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to manage large teams, projects, and cross-functional collaborations.

• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, data center operations, disaster recovery, and information security.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.