IT Applications and Data Services Senior Manager

We are searching for an innovative leader to join our team as the IT Senior Applications and Data Services Manager. You will have up to 5 direct reports and an overall staff of 80 employees. The team manages a diverse portfolio of 200+ custom applications, enterprise systems, internal and external websites, and data integrations. They are also responsible for operating our data, analytics, and DevOps platforms. Key in-flight projects you would be accountable for include implementing a cloud based Data and Analytics platform, and the transformation of our external websites to be more accessible and human centered . Both projects involve engagements at all levels of the organization and with external interest holders.

Our ideal candidate has significant IT leadership experience, solid product experience and demonstrated leadership in AI and AI development, and the ability to build strong collaborative working relationships. You will be a trusted partner within IT and with our customers. You will be responsible for delivering complex IT services and projects. You will know how to excel in a dynamic environment, be comfortable with change and make data-driven decisions. You will have the ability to influence and communicate with interest holders at all levels of the organization. You must value diversity and equity, and support a workplace environment with a focus on safety, trust and belonging.

Success in this role begins with people: you will inherit a talented, growing team in the midst of significant modernization, and your first priority will be to stabilize it-filling key roles, building permanent capability where the organization currently relies on contractors, and creating the continuity needed to deliver our most critical projects.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance and stability; support for professional development and much more. Find more details on our website.

Areas of focus for this role include:

Senior Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic leadership, coaching and professional development for a large, multidisciplinary team of up to 5 direct reports and an overall staff of 80 employees plus contract staff.

• Serve as a member of the DCA and IT Senior Leadership teams in the collaborative development of policies, priorities and strategies.

• Be customer experience oriented and consider our community in terms of how we deliver effective cross-cultural services.
• Create a culture of innovation, fun and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage a $20 million budget.

Strategic Planning

• Work collaboratively to develop and implement strategic plans, vision, technical direction, and to allocate software application resources to meet business and operational goals.
• Lead the evaluation of new application-related technologies and participate in executive-level discussions about technology investments.
• Create technical roadmaps that advance the County’s Digital Strategies and meet customer and community needs.
• Assist in shaping and leading the strategy for leveraging AI and ML capabilities, including AI assisted development.
• Lead the rollout of the new County Data Strategy.

Software Application Lifecycle Management

• Manage the end-to-end application lifecycle of purchased software, in-house developed applications and data integrations, including status reporting, metrics and benchmarks.
• Establish and/or maintain processes and standards that result in high-quality deliverables for customers.
• Support an enterprise architecture that considers business needs, technology roadmaps, software capabilities and the total cost of ownership.

IT Application and Software Portfolio Management

• Navigate a complex organizational system to understand county services.
• Build effective relationships with internal customers and interest holders to establish application roadmaps and solutions.
• Manage the delivery of IT application services to departments using customer feedback to implement improvements.
• Oversee the assessment of the technical and business fitness of the application portfolio and their associated costs and risks.
• Negotiate, monitor and manage contracts with IT application vendors and partners.
• Work with the chief information security officer (CISO) to ensure that the organization’s applications are effectively secured and that risks are mitigated.
• Work with the Enterprise Architect (EA) to ensure alignment with organizational standards, priorities and technology strategic plans.

Team Building and Workforce Continuity

• Lead the stabilization and development of a team that is actively growing, including recruiting and onboarding to fill current vacancies across data, analytics, and application teams.
• Build durable internal capability by transitioning critical contractor-held knowledge to permanent staff, strengthening continuity and reducing operational risk.
• Establish succession planning and cross-training practices that protect service delivery during platform modernization and other in-flight transformation work.
• Foster a culture of stability, belonging, and continuous improvement that supports retention and engagement through change.

What success looks like

While this role carries broad ongoing responsibilities, we have a clear picture of what strong leadership will achieve in the first 12-18 months:

• The cloud-based Data and Analytics platform is delivered and adopted, with internal teams equipped to operate and build on it independently.
• The transformation of our external websites measurably advances accessibility and a more human-centered experience for the community we serve.
• The team is stabilized and strengthened-key vacancies filled, critical knowledge retained, and a clear path established toward durable internal capability.
• Application and data services are delivered reliably, with interest holders across departments reporting improved partnership, responsiveness, and trust.
• Clear roadmaps, standards, and ways of working are in place that position the portfolio for sustainable, long-term success., * Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
• Background check and reference checks: All finalists must pass a thorough criminal records check and reference check.
• Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate’s relevant experience, education seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Do you have experience in Vendor relationship management?, Do you have a Bachelor’s degree?, * Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience, * Five years (5) of complex IT leadership experience, including directly managing large IT teams in a matrixed organizational structure. (Equivalency 9 years of qualifying training and/or experience)

• Four of those years must include direct supervisory experience, including supervising other supervisors.
• Experience must include leading large teams of greater than 30 indirect reports.
• Experience evaluating new technologies; defining application/software development lifecycle methodologies; CI/CD; creating and managing standards, policies and procedures; implementing best practices.
• Experience coaching and mentoring management staff.
• Experience leading the development and execution of strategic plans.
• Experience in contracting and vendor management, including contract negotiation.
• Experience implementing and building on-prem, cloud and SaaS solutions.
• Experience with Agile application development and methodologies e.g. DevOps.
• Experience with implementing or leading AI/ML initiatives, development practices and projects.
• Strong budget planning, financial management and resource management skills. Examples include: managing multiple teams, or capital project budgets and resources.
• This position must pass a criminal records check to obtain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) authorization and will be fingerprinted upon acceptance of offer.
• Must be willing to live within one hour of the home office - Portland Oregon, * Experience as a Senior IT manager.
• Five (5) years of experience leading a diverse workforce and managing performance within a unionized environment.
• Experience working in the public sector or another highly regulated industry, such as healthcare or finance.
• Experience guiding organizations through the evolution from project-centric to product or service-centric operating models.
• Demonstrated experience applying Human-Centered Design (HCD) or Agile/Lean principles to high-level portfolio governance and strategic planning in a government or regulated environment.
• Experience applying Modern Service Management (MSM) or ITIL 4 concepts to balance service reliability with responsiveness.
• Demonstrated success using Agile, Lean, or Adaptive Project Management methodologies to manage complex portfolios and improve flow efficiency in a constrained environment.
• Demonstrated success in process implementation and performance measurement.

* Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate’s relevant experience, education, seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Routine Telework: This position is designated as “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home); a hybrid schedule also is available. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. The designation of Routine Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pulled from the full job description

• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule

Multnomah County is Oregon’s largest county by population. The Information Technology (IT) division, based in the Department of County Assets (DCA), has 189 experienced and dedicated professionals who serve a community of 800,000 people and a County staff of 6500 customers. We understand that technology, and our community, are rapidly changing so we adapt and make forward-thinking strategic decisions. We need you to be on the forefront of our efforts to design the future of the county’s technology services. We believe that this work matters …, Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don’t just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.