Sr. Director, Development & Operations

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in DevOps, Software Engineering policies, procedures, and modern development and operations practices.
• Proven expertise as a Solutions Architect or Technical Architect.
• Demonstrated success in managing software development projects, utilizing Agile methodologies and project management tools.
• Strong familiarity with databases, association management systems, content management systems, learning management systems, quality management tools, website structures, and underlying platforms.
• Track record of envisioning, leading, and implementing solutions for complex business problems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle intricate technical challenges.
• Thorough understanding of the end-to-end product life cycle, from conception to delivery to ongoing operations.
• Proficiency in cloud-based technical solutions, preferably on AWS and Azure platforms.
• Proficient communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for building relationships at all organizational levels.
• Exceptional customer support abilities, catering to both external customers and internal staff.
• Effective prioritization and execution skills, thriving in high-pressure environments.
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports, fostering professional growth opportunities.
• Strong documentation, training, and troubleshooting background.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate IT professionals.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field with a minimum of 10 years of progressive software engineering and technology management experience with a minimum of 5 years of experience successfully managing, leading, and developing a team of engineers.  Occasional travel and overtime may be required.

Supervisory Requirement: Yes six full-time engineers

Location: Washington, DC. Hybrid. This position will periodically be required to be onsite at the AIA

Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Travel Requirements:  Occasional

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, in accordance with the applicable law.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA):

AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential, and our work drives positive change through the power of design.  

Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values, and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA's values remain constant:

• We stand for equity and human rights
• We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
• We stand for a sustainable future
• We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
• We stand for economic opportunity
• We stand for investing in the future
• We speak up, and policymakers listen

The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.

Job Summary

This is a management position reporting to the Senior Vice President, Technology.  The Senior Director of Development and Operations will lead the development and operations of applications and technologies. With a focus on delivering the highest level of quality, efficiency, agility, automation, and innovation, this role will be responsible for leading and mentoring a team of IT professionals and providing technical guidance to ensure solutions meet the organization's requirements.  Understanding the role of a Solutions Architect or Technical Architect will be instrumental in driving AIA’s technology strategy forward.

Job Duties:

• Collaborate with the SVP of Technology to establish long-term and short-term goals for software and application development and operations, tailored to our organization's needs.
• Lead and mentor a team, consisting of Salesforce/Fonteva Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Operations Engineer, Database Engineer, Quality and Release Engineer, providing both technical and managerial guidance.
• Serve as a solution or technical architect, offering valuable expertise and ensuring solutions align with our requirements.
• Manage the architecture and operational support of applications, systems, and integrations.
• Foster collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams, including Infrastructure & Cloud, Security & Compliance, Customer Success & Business Relationship Management, Project Management, and Portfolio Operations.
• Drive change management and oversee architecture reviews for new technologies and member-facing application development.
• Implement best practices to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of our IT systems, including disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.
• Lead the end-to-end development and implementation of new applications and products, from concept to testing to production.
• Coordinate and plan the work of DevOps staff, ensuring goals and objectives are met.
• Drive cloud automation initiatives to streamline the deployment time of new applications, products, and services.
• Promote the development of tools supporting automated testing and continuous integration.
• Drive operational and technical team successes by setting benchmarks, optimizing resource allocation, and establishing team Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Provide exceptional technical customer support for our applications and products, both internally and externally.
• Attract and retain top technical talent, fostering a diverse and highly productive team.
• Other duties as needed.
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Frequent Contacts:

• Senior Vice President of Technology
• Technology Leadership
• AIA Leadership
• AIA Staff
• AIA State and Local Components
• AIA Volunteer Leadership
• Vendors/Consultants