Manager, IT Middleware

What You Can Expect In This Role

Oversee and coordinate the solution design, project execution and implementation of various operational activities and production support of the IT department, as well as provide direction and support for IT solutions that enhance mission‑critical business strategies and operations. This role includes leadership of modern integration, event streaming, and containerized platform technologies such as Mule Soft, Confluent Kafka, and Kubernetes.

Collaborate with IT leaders to provide leadership for planning, developing, and implementation of IT initiatives.

• Partner with business decision makers to ensure requirements and design of technology solutions align with needs.
• Design, develop, implement, and support cost‑effective technology solutions including API‑led integration (Mule Soft), event streaming platforms (Kafka/Confluent), and containerized solutions (Kubernetes).
• Provide leadership to optimize and manage application and/or infrastructure.
• Provide leadership and oversight for enterprise integration and event‑driven architecture platforms, including Mule Soft and Confluent Kafka.
• Lead teams responsible for design, deployment, and support of containerized platforms, including Kubernetes and cloud‑native environments.
• Drive adoption of event streaming and real‑time data integration patterns using Kafka and related technologies.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and performance of distributed systems and APIs.
• Partner with architecture teams to define standards and governance for API‑led and event‑driven solutions.
• Support modernization efforts through containerization, microservices architecture, and platform automation.
• Make recommendations for building strong IT capabilities through people, process, and technology.
• Contribute to technology roadmap definitions and recommendations.
• Manage operational support teams to ensure quality, availability, and performance targets.
• Manage technical resources and forecast expertise needs.
• Lead training and development of team members.
• Provide leadership in troubleshooting and resolution of operational problems.
• Assist in vendor management.
• Ensure effective technology support and maintenance strategies.
• Support technology transformation through quality delivery and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with audit and record management requirements.
• Lead by example through coaching and mentoring.
• Manage budgets and financial plans.
• Commit to company values and policies.

• Bachelor's Degree in the field of Computer Science, Information Systems, or related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ applicable experience leading and/or directing IT planning, support and/or infrastructure organization.
• Demonstrated leadership effectiveness in technology planning, operations, implementation and support.
• Working knowledge of business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations and end to end integration models.
• Must be aware of industry recognized best practices.
• Knowledge of systems management, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems, vendor management, including management of offshore/near shore resources with some awareness of technology and related business trends.
• Experience and ability in managing systems complexity with positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated, proven understanding of Infrastructure systems support and management.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry laws and regulations as they relate to IT.
• Established leadership track record of effective people management skills and practices.
• Understands negotiating and influencing leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to present and adapt ideas in business‑friendly and user‑friendly language.
• 10% travel required.

Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required – The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to…