Manager Information Technology Strategy, Governance and Project Management

To provide managerial oversight for technology strategic planning, project management and technology governance. This position provides consultation and guidance to all business units of SMUD, develops strategic plans, provides project planning and oversight, and develops and manages the Enterprise Architecture practice.

This is a single-incumbent management-level position that uniquely blends responsibilities across Information Technology (IT) Business Relationship Management, Project Management, and Enterprise Architecture. This role is distinguished from other managerial positions by its strategic focus on planning, project management and governance within the technology landscape. The incumbent will provide ongoing leadership and management oversight to ensure the availability, reliability and efficiency of IT systems, projects, and programs.

• Manages the strategic planning initiatives for IT, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with governance frameworks.
• Fosters strong relationships with business units to identify needs, facilitate communication, and implement technology solutions that drive operational efficiency.
• Manages the portfolio of IT projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with the overall strategic objectives.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of enterprise architecture standards and practices to ensure that technology systems support and enhance business processes.
• Establishes metrics to evaluate IT performance, project success, and the effectiveness of business technology strategies.
• Engages with management and stakeholders at all levels to negotiate and influence significant matters.
• Defines approaches to deliver structured solutions for complex technology strategy problems by integrating methodologies and teams.
• Manages diverse project teams in both project management and personnel management roles.
• Collaborates with other departments to address ad-hoc needs in alignment with corporate initiatives.
• Participates in benchmarking of best-in-class solutions working with a focus on enterprise architecture.
• Assists in developing IT strategy that aligns with business objectives, engaging key stakeholders.
• Identifies and assesses technology risks related to business decisions in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and reviews the work results in assigned area; assists in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and developing subordinate personnel; and ensures safe work practices, work quality and accuracy, sufficient workforce resources, as well as compliance with applicable rules, policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Collaborates with executives, senior managers and staff to develop and implement IT policies and procedures; oversees supervisors to direct professional and technical staff in delivering essential information services; negotiates, administers, and monitors compliance for various consulting, maintenance, and technical services contracts.
• Oversees major information technology acquisition and project management activities; works with staff to develop and maintain high levels of customer service, professionalism, individual skills, and effective team approaches to work; works with supervisors to address and resolve a variety of staffing, employee relations, performance, and discipline issues.
• Establishes long and short-range goals and monitors progress.
• Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

• Bachelor's degree in computer technology or related field from an accredited university or college or equivalent experience. If no degree, nine or more (9+) years of relevant work experience is required.

• Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of business technology applications and systems; and at least five (5+) years of supervisory and/or management experience which demonstrates the ability to provide effective management of a diverse workforce; experience managing consultants and contractors.

Business information needs and requirements for addressing core functions and processes; fundamentals, practices and trends in management and supervision techniques; personnel policies and practices; project management methodologies; industry trends regarding business and information technology; fundamentals of information systems analyses; large-scale information system design, development and integration; information technology policies, procedures, and standards; distributed, mainframe, and real-time systems computing management, planning, and operations; business process improvement techniques, including reengineering.

Develop business strategy, goals, objectives, activities, and plans; negotiate with others; resolve problems; set organization and team goals; plan and direct the identification of complex and large-scale information system requirements; enlist the support and cooperation of managers, supervisors, technical and business support staff, consultants, and vendors in meeting the goals and objectives set forth in project plans; organize and establish priorities for and supervise a multi-disciplinary staff; participate in the decision making process for project development; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with management, staff and peers from various and diverse organizations within and outside SMUD; anticipate, identify, and resolve conflicts and priorities with policy and technical issues; make presentations to the Board of Directors, executive management, and others.

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field; relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Agile methodology, ITIL, TOGAF) is preferred.

• Project Management Certification (PMP)

• Proven experience in IT strategy development, governance, project management, and enterprise architecture.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Agile methodologies
• Enterprise Architecture familiarity