Manager Of Infrastructure And Operations

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking an experienced Infrastructure and Operations Manager to join the Information Technology (IT) senior leadership team and oversee the development and implementation of the enterprise-wide IT strategy. Under general direction of the Chief Information Officer, this position will be accountable for the totality of IT Infrastructure and Operations and ensure capabilities are aligned to achieve business success. It is crucial that the Manager of Infrastructure and Operations possess good judgment and decision-making skills, excellent communication skills, and a customer-service orientation to serve as a resource to all SCAG divisions and departments.
The Infrastructure and Operations department is responsible for the management, security, and recoverability of SCAG's IT infrastructure in addition to providing IT support to end users. The department maintains a stable, optimized, and secure hybrid IT infrastructure to support SCAG being the foremost data information hub for the region. This is achieved by working collaboratively on the effective delivery of IT services through the management and orchestration of staff, consultants, products, and processes.
WHO WE ARE
As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG's values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.
SCAG operates as a hybrid organization because we recognize that work can be successfully performed in various locations. Designing a work environment and culture where SCAG's mission, effectiveness, and collaboration can be more flexibly served demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by supporting work-life balance for our employees, retaining our existing dedicated staff, and increasing access to new talent pools.
As part of our Work@SCAG hybrid approach, employees' eligibility in the three work models (office, hybrid, remote) will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties at the discretion of management. All work models require employees to work from a location based within the SCAG region. This position is expected to be in the office 1 day per week.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.
VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.
SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.

• Lead the technical and budget development for infrastructure strategy and roadmap that aligns with the business priorities of SCAG. This includes cloud, datacenter, network, server, desktop, GIS, and modeling capabilities to support SCAG's strategic plan.
• Lead the evolution and development of SCAG's IT cybersecurity and IT risk management approach based on industry best practices and technologies.
• Provide direction and operational oversight for the design, development, operation, and support of IT systems that fulfill the needs of the business, including the full life cycle of technical architecture, infrastructure engineering, infrastructure operations and IT service support.
• Work collaboratively as part of the IT senior leadership team on the service portfolio and governance required to prioritize projects and resources.
• Act as a trusted advisor, and build and maintain relationships with other IT leaders, business partners, and third-party vendors to develop a clear understanding of business needs and ability to respond with agility to changing priorities.
• Manage and participate in the annual development and administration of the department and division's capital expenditure budget, including forecasting, cost optimization, leveraging consultants, and other resources in collaboration with the Chief Information Officer.
• Manage department staff including providing direction, assigning and reviewing work, providing coaching and guidance, conducting performance evaluations, and initiating corrective and/or disciplinary action to grievances and complaints according to established personnel rules.
• Manage consultant partner (Managed Services Provider) to efficiently and effectively utilize a mix of in-house and vendor technical and support resources.
• Monitor, evaluate, and develop staff by providing opportunities for training and professional development.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of department workplan, goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Maintain currency on new technologies and platforms and provide direction on what emerging technologies should be assimilated, integrated, and introduced within I&O.
• Participate on a variety of committees and task forces, attend and participate in professional group meetings, and stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 7 years of experience in IT Infrastructure and Operations, 4 years of experience in a management or supervisory role, and a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered.

We'll be a great match if you also have:

• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain trusting and collaborative working relationships with management and staff.
• Strategically operationalize ideas and apply excellent problem-solving skills to technical and project work.
• The ability to incorporate business priorities, strategies, goals, emerging technologies, and industry needs to business solutions for the agency.
• The ability to express IT technology options and decisions in terms of business outcomes by communicating ideas or positions in a persuasive manner that builds support, agreement or commitment. Presentation and writing skills for an executive audience is key.
• The ability to handle change and uncertainty with ease and have the ability to move forward quickly.
• A customer-service orientation and effective communication skills to convey clear and succinct messages both written and verbally.
• Demonstrated experience in IT infrastructure budgeting and cost analysis/optimization.
• Recent and relevant experience implementing, managing, and securing:
  1. AWS and/or Azure cloud environments
  2. Microsoft technology stack (Active Directory, Exchange, O365, Teams, etc.)
  3. VMWare, Veeam
  4. Disaster recovery/business continuity
  5. ServiceNow, ITIL, project management
  6. GIS
• The ability to manage people and projects with clarity, direction and guidance including employee growth and retention.
• The ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and polices to departmental programs and activities.

Please note, this posting will remain open until January 11, 2024, with the first application review taking place on December 28, 2023. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held the last week of January 2024.