This Director will lead Thrivent's Digital Platform team. This leader will have a strong background in CX and UX technologies and deep expertise in improving delivery of robust applications by leveraging modern DevOps practices. Accomplishes results primarily through a team of managers and/or experienced specialists who exercise significant latitude and independence. Provides strategic direction to one or more departments. Establishes policies appropriate for the function and makes decisions on operational/administrative matters. Interprets and recommends modifications to enterprise-wide policies & practices. Interacts with senior management and others concerning matters of significance to the company to update on progress against key business initiatives and IT Steering Committee updates. Conducts business and technical briefings for senior and top management and key external stakeholders.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Designing Solutions
Sets the vision for the teams and empowers the teams to design solutionsReview the overall / high level design and provide feedback to the team.Helps the team to understand the architecture strategy for the given product groups and how it fits in the overall enterprise architecture.Developing Software
Demonstrates critical thinking towards developing software.Learning and applying new techniques
Influence the team to use modern techniques and share technical insights to the team Continuously seek for innovative techniques and solutions to solve the business problems / initiatives.Collaborating within team
Promotes collaboration and provides opportunities to recognize and celebrate successesCollaborating across teams
Regularly engages in product group sprint demos to understand capabilities delivered and outcomes achieved; Provides constructive feedback to foster continuous improvementEncourages engagement across product groups to share learnings and leverage best practicesUnderstands the organizations broader technology ecosystem and how their product groups contribute to the organization’s outcomesBreaks down product group barriers that impede team delivery and continuous improvementCollaborating across the organization
Builds relationships across the organization and across business and technology disciplinesBrings teams together to partner in solving the most strategic and complex problems for the organization and deliver new capabilities collaborativelyCreates a common understanding and alignment on goals and strategies for the enterprise as well as for the technology organizationProvides senior leadership visibility to accomplishments of teamsSupports the organizational rollout of new DevOps capabilities and version updates across the teams.Setting product/platform technology strategy
Partner with product management to set the platform / product technology vision and outcome.Provide mentorship and motivation to the team to select and execute on the technology strategy that supports the organization growth and sustainabilityDefining Engineering standards/patterns
Promoting engineering practices and continuous improvement such as DevOps and observabilityDevOps
Supports the development lifecycle processes and operational model guidelinesEnsures that operational health for the area is well articulated and supports continuous improvement.Creates and promotes cross learning opportunities for engineers to onboard new DevOps practices.Selecting & Managing Technology Vendors
Be an advocate to the team to define criteria’s for selecting the right platform/technologyOwns the overall technology solutions, platforms for the product groups and associated vendor relationshipsProvide directions and feedback to select the right technology vendorsCoaching Engineers
Holding regular 1:1s with direct reports and periodic skip levels and team meetings.Provides opportunities and develops framework for career growth.Gives constructive feedback, providing guidance and coaching to help engineering managers grow their skills and experienceRecruiting/building talent
Planning in advance for future people needs for the product groups, collaborate with the other teams on the recruitment processDrive the hiring process for engineering managers and engineers and participates in the recruitment process for the product areaEngage in the tech community to build the Thrivent technology brand and position as the employer of choice in the marketRecruits, develops, and sustains a high-performing team while promoting a culture of shared accountability, operational excellence, and partnership across the organization.Models Thrivent’s leadership competencies – courage, collaboration, and commitment by demonstrating resiliency, working together to make the best decisions, and holding yourself and others accountable. Supports and/or develops an environment in which Thrivent employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Shapes and/or supports a culture that represents the Thrivent purpose, promise and values, ensuring that Thrivent’s trust and reputation remain strong with its clients. Manage a team of direct and indirect staff
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
Required
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or other technical field or equivalent work experience 10+ years of progressively responsible positions in Information Technology including a 5+ years’ management/supervisory experience in specific IT functional area discipline. Strong leader with a demonstrated track record recruiting and developing teams in current- and next-generation platforms and systems’ needs. Demonstrated experience in creating, leading, and implementing large scale strategic projects. Strong communication skills and excellence in negotiation with business partners Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, lines of business stakeholders, and technology staff across the organization. Background in information delivery including BI/analytic reporting, operational reporting, KPIs, using reporting services. Experience in development of business strategies, Center of Expense strategies and delivery of enterprise data services.Preferred
MBA Financial Services industry experience Experience in IT planning and business relationship management Experience working in a matrix management organization Experience with product development and managementPay Transparency
Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants.
Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please let us know by sending an email to human.resources@thrivent.com or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources.