We are looking for an outstanding and dynamic Technology leader to work as our VP of Infrastructure & Operations, reporting to the Head of Technology. Bluestem is a technology-enabled retailer with unit credit attributes. This position will play an integral role in setting and executing strategies that drive innovation while ensuring a high level of system availability, performance, stability, and security across several functions including, but not limited to, End User Services, DevOps, Network, Hosting, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, Security Operations, Storage, Data & Voice Management, and Process Practice Evolution. The incumbent will lead the charge for identifying innovative operations solutions for an evolving retail and credit landscape, ensuring we are simplifying our day-to-day operations and nimble in our adaptation to evolving external and internal needs. Leading the largest Technology team at Bluestem, people leadership also plays a huge role in the incumbent’s success.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Experience
In addition to relevant industry background and functional skills, the key competencies of the ideal candidate include:
Service Delivery
Business Continuity
Service Level Agreement
Infrastructure
Jenkins
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Partner closely with key stakeholders across business, technology, and vendor partners to develop and execute compelling, cost-effective infrastructure and operations strategies that enable the next phase of the Company’s growth
- Provide thought leadership into overall IT strategy, operational processes, cost-optimization, innovation, and efficiency improvement opportunities
- Drive the continual evolution of Bluestem’s cloud vision and evolution, transforming teams to meet emerging demands
- Accountable for effectively running infrastructure and operations services including procurement, performance, stability, and availability.
- Lead holiday readiness efforts and ensure operations are not a barrier to business results
- Lead planning efforts for future state capacity and develop an infrastructure roadmap inclusive of current and future state needs assessments
- Ensure alignment across infrastructure, operations, and security teams by fostering a cohesive and collaborative environment pushing towards common goals
- Responsible for functional annual budget planning, forecasting and cost tracking, work estimation, capital funding requests, and total cost of ownership in partnership with Financial partners
- Establish metrics, key performance indicators and service level agreements for driving the performance of IT service delivery with associated SLA’s
- Partner with vendors and IT capability leaders to prioritize and deliver technology solutions to meet business needs
- Provide project delivery oversight broadly, as well as directly lead efforts pertaining to capital projects, operating capital improvements and upgrades, call center and enterprise telephony projects
- Lead the development and execution of strategies for sub-functions, e.g., Information Security, Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Planning, DevOps, etc.
- Drive resolution of high-severity outages as well as highly complex issues impacting IT infrastructure
- Provides thought leadership in the overall security program including risk, vendor, and vulnerability management
- Accountable for success audit and compliance of Bluestem’s infrastructure services and systems
- Provide oversight and strategic input into the end user productivity roadmap
- Direct, train, develop, empower, and inspire a team of IT professionals
Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR equivalent work experience, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in a leadership capacity across infrastructure and operations functions, including information security
- Demonstrated understanding of modern DevOps methodologies and tools, such as Docker, Kubernetes, Git, CI pipelines, Jenkins, and JIRA
- Accomplished thought leader that balances “what is possible” with “what is practical” to support business operations, drive productivity improvements and an industry-leading customer experience
- Experience successfully implementing Cloud based solutions with an Agile/DevOps approach and Cloud Adoption Frameworks
- Knowledgeable in information security, audit requirements (e.g., PCI, SOC), security software and platforms, and implementation patterns
- Proven ability to develop and implement strategies that are aligned with business needs
- Experience leading a highly engaged workforce across multiple geographies
In addition to relevant industry background and functional skills, the key competencies of the ideal candidate include:
- Results Orientation: Demonstrate the ability, determination, and tenacity to drive high quality results across multiple platforms and functionalities
- Strategic Orientation: Possess the ability to successfully translate technology capabilities into the delivery of business outcomes, and vice versa
- Collaboration: Lead the way through collaboration across multiple business and vendor partners, demonstrating a strong understanding of the business and technology implications, clear communications and influencing skills
- Team Leadership: Attract, select, develop, and lead high performance teams, providing the right balance of support and challenge to step out of comfort zones
- Track record as a trusted advisor and business partner: Driving business insights, actions, and accountability, with a customer service-oriented attitude
Recommended Skills
Business Continuity PlanningService Delivery
Business Continuity
Service Level Agreement
Infrastructure
Jenkins