Applications Development Manager II

The University of Arizona is seeking an Applications Development Manager II to lead the Operations Team responsible for managing the deployment of security, maintenance, and feature updates across a large portfolio of Drupal websites. This role involves ensuring the stability, security, and performance of these sites using platforms like GitHub Actions and AWS, while managing the relationship with our hosting provider, Pantheon.

In addition to the core responsibilities, this role will also involve onboarding and integrating new team members as part of the university's centralization efforts. The successful candidate will need to manage these new team members through the transition, ensuring they quickly adapt to the team's workflow.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Team
  Leadership: Lead and manage a team of 6 to 7 staff members, providing strategic
  direction, mentorship, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and
  improvement.
• Centralization
  and Onboarding: Manage the integration and onboarding of new team members as part of
  the university's centralization efforts, ensuring a smooth transition without
  compromising ongoing responsibilities.
• Technical
  Strategy and Innovation: Develop and implement technical strategies that
  enhance the university's digital capabilities, staying ahead of industry
  trends and driving continuous improvement.
• Deployment
  Management: Lead the deployment of security, maintenance, and feature updates to
  hundreds of Drupal websites using automated tools built with GitHub Actions
  and AWS, ensuring reliability and preventing regressions.
• Security
  and Compliance: Ensure that all updates and deployments adhere to security best
  practices, legal, regulatory, and university standards.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Oversee and manage relationships with key technology vendors
  and platforms, ensuring that external partnerships align with the
  university's strategic goals and deliver optimal performance and
  cost-efficiency.
• Operational Planning: Develop and implement strategic and operational plans that
  impact the team and department, driving initiatives that enhance
  efficiency, security, and performance across all managed applications.
• Communication and Stakeholder
  Engagement: Articulate strategic vision and
  direction from senior leadership, translating these into actionable goals
  for the team, and working cross-functionally to influence policy and
  process improvements.
• Problem-Solving and
  Analysis: Manage complex
  issues that require innovative and creative solutions, ensuring the
  effectiveness of programs and systems.
• Infrastructure Oversight: Manage the infrastructure necessary to support automated
  updates, ensuring that deployments remain reliable and do not cause
  regressions.
• Technical Support: Provide technical support to developers and users,
  troubleshooting issues related to deployment and infrastructure.
• Risk Management: Work with the Information Security Office to assess and
  manage our overall risk profile.
• Business Continuity &
  Disaster Recovery: Ensure that we have adequate
  plans in place for major outages and that they are tested regularly.
• Performance Monitoring: Implement and oversee performance
  monitoring tools to ensure the health and efficiency of web services.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Proven ability to lead and manage a technical team, particularly in the areas of deployment and infrastructure management.

Strong understanding of web hosting platforms, particularly with Pantheon, and the ability to manage vendor relationships effectively.

Proficiency in using tools like GitHub Actions and AWS for automated deployment of updates at scale.

Ability to develop and implement technical strategies that drive continuous improvement and align with organizational goals.

Strong knowledge of security best practices and regulatory compliance related to web services.

Excellent analytical skills to address technical challenges and optimize deployment processes.

Ability to clearly explain technical concepts and collaborate with stakeholders and team members.

Bachelor's degree AND Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience.

OR

Equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Experience with Pantheon or similar web hosting platforms.
  
• Experience in automated deployment processes using GitHub Actions and AWS.
  
• Experience managing large-scale web services, particularly in higher education.
  
• Experience in onboarding and managing new team members through organizational changes while maintaining ongoing operational responsibilities.