Manager of IT

Position Overview

MANAGER OF IT – The purpose of this position is to perform advanced level professional work involving the coordination and leadership of all Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) Information Technology systems. The role is responsible for cultivating and managing FKAA's IT infrastructure and application solutions, providing strategic direction, ensuring operational excellence, and aligning technology with business needs across all departments. The position reports to the Director of Information Technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads diverse teams by effectively managing and motivating staff with varying skill sets and experience levels, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Aids with developing a strategic vision by setting clear departmental goals aligned with organizational objectives, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
• Empowers and delegates by trusting team members to take ownership while providing necessary guidance and support.
• Conducts performance reviews and provides constructive feedback to facilitate personal and professional development.
• Negotiates and manages contracts with vendors to secure IT products and services while ensuring adherence to budget constraints.
• Supervises staff, sets priorities, assigns work, and conducts performance evaluations.
• Possesses deep technical expertise by mastering various programming languages, databases, application development frameworks, and network protocols.
• Analyzes complex data to extract insights for informed decision-making and optimize system performance.
• Troubleshoots intricate software, hardware, and network issues, minimizing downtime and disruptions.
• Designs and implements efficient, scalable software applications that align with business needs and security best practices.
• Continuously updates technical knowledge by staying current with new technologies and industry trends.
• Liaises with stakeholders by communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences, fostering cross-departmental collaboration.
• Implements secure integration solutions to ensure seamless data flow between internal and external applications.
• Provides user support by creating comprehensive documentation, training materials, and guiding users through technical challenges.
• Collaborates with superusers to champion application adoption and enhance knowledge sharing.
• Manages website development with external vendors to ensure adherence to requirements, accessibility, and security standards.
• Develops and implements IT policies by establishing and maintaining procedures governing IT usage, access, and security.
• Conducts cost-benefit analyses to assess the financial viability of new technologies, recommending cost-effective solutions.
• Leads process improvement initiatives by identifying inefficient workflows and implementing automation and optimization strategies.
• Tracks system enhancements and proactively implements upgrades while minimizing disruptions.
• Ensures ongoing maintenance of systems, keeping them secure and operational through regular backups, updates, and security patches.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferably in Business Administration, MIS, Information Technology or an MBA, supplemented by ten (10) years of professional/managerial experience in IT systems or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Project management skills are essential, with experience in deploying software solutions, custom applications, and new IT business processes in an enterprise setting considered a plus.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of fundamental security and privacy requirements and protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
• Proven analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience in business analysis, process or design, project management, workflow design, and troubleshooting business processes.
• Expertise in documentation, including creating detailed reports and delivering presentations.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate to determine acceptable solutions.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills with a proven track record of following through on commitments.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams and supporting successful projects.
• Advanced technical proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong knowledge of Transact-SQL.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Windows OS and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Familiarity with SQL Server Reporting Services or equivalent tools.
• Project Management experience.
• Experience with Agile/Lean software development processes and practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics GP concepts and practices.
• Experience with the Cogsdale Customer Service Management application.
• Microsoft certifications and/or training in database concepts.
• Knowledge of Automatic Meter Reading applications and hardware.
• Experience with process documentation tools such as Microsoft Visio or Lucid Charts.
• Familiarity with frontend development technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and scripting languages like jQuery or React.
• Experience with web services using REST/JSON and SOAP/XML/WSDL/DTD.
• Knowledge of the NIST Cyber Security Framework.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and be able to communicate and comprehend the English language.