Director, Applications Job in Santa Monica 90401, California Us
Job Description
Overview of RAND
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. For over 60 years, decision makers in the public and private sectors have turned to RAND for objective analysis and effective solutions that address the issues that matter most, such as health, education, national security, international affairs, law and business, and the environment. Our research is commissioned by a global clientele that includes government agencies, foundations, and private-sector firms. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, RAND has approximately 1,700 people from more than 50 countries working in offices in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, with research organized across ten units and annual revenues of more than $250 million.
Position Description
The Director, IST Applications partners with the CIO in managing overall IT application deployment, database support, solutions analysis, business analysis, and web technology. The position directs managers and leads teams. Acts as internal consultant, advocate, mentor and change agent. Provides direction and expertise regarding the integration of applications across the enterprise and defines strategies and approaches for the effective sharing of information between systems. Accountable for oversight of the specification, plans, design and implementation of the most complex and business critical software solutions utilizing appropriate software engineering processes. The work will span the complete software development life cycle from business requirements and technology selection to deployment and long-term application support.
Defines application development processes and programming standards as well as system architectures for RAND-wide use. Has in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art development practices in designing, implementing, testing and deploying applications. Understands and consistently applies application development methodologies. Researches and maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and possible application to RAND research and support processes. Viewed both internally and externally as a technical expert and critical technical resource across multiple disciplines. Viewed as a critical technical advisor across multiple disciplines.
Possesses financial skills, e.g., understanding and putting together business cases/project costing, requests for capital, etc. and the ability to manage project budgets. Expertise in financial planning, tracking and forecasting from application line management and project perspective.
Partners with the CIO and other IST directors to manage strategic relationships with key clients, and IT product and service providers.
Qualifications
Application and System Development Skills:
- Proven experience designing and developing enterprise-scale applications using 3-tier architectures, distributed run-time environments and COTS software.
- Must be familiar with state-of-the-art application and web technology.
- Proven experience linking legacy systems and databases to web applications.
- Knowledge/experience with both waterfall and agile software development.
Management Skills Required:
- Demonstrated strong leadership and management skills and the capability to manage through others.
- Lead a project through all phases from concept definition, requirements gathering, analysis and design to implementation, testing and deployment.
- Experience managing small to large application teams.
- Manage projects across sites and across organizations using resources within and outside the applications group.
- Must be flexible and demonstrate ability to adhere to existing processes and development practices already in-place.
- Able to work with management teams and drive adoption of policy where necessary.
- Mentor managers and others and help establish a rigorous development environment.
Other Requirements:
- Must be able to develop and communicate vision and strategy with others and build consensus.
- Able to organize ones own work and the work of other technical employees.
- Excellent communication skills are a must. Must be able to write clearly and effectively.
- Must be comfortable presenting to groups.
- Able to work comfortably with technical staff as well as business and non-technical individuals in a research environment.
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related area. Strong consideration given for advanced degrees (MS, MBA) in related fields.
Experience
Minimum 15 years IT experience, with 8 to 10 years of relevant applications development experience to include at least six years of supervisory/management experience. Requires advanced to expert level knowledge and understanding of architecture, applications systems design, and integration.
Minimum of six years management and supervisory experience with technical staff and managers.
Location
Santa Monica, CA
To Apply
If you would like to be a member of an organization that is working to find solutions to today’s difficult, sensitive and important problems, please apply online at our website: www.rand.org/jobs/id3072 (Job ID# is 3072). RAND offers competitive benefits including vacation pay, medical benefits, and tuition reimbursement. EOE.