Application Development Manager (Workflow)

The Application Development Manager is responsible for managing, developing, controlling and overseeing a team of Information Technology professionals. This position works closely with members of the IT team as a leader and manager providing guidance and direction on staff development and resource utilization. The Application Development Manager develops systems/applications solutions and procedures enabling EquiTrust to meet business objectives. This individual coordinates and manages complex, high-risk system projects. The Application Development Manager is expected to carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with EquiTrust’s Company Values of Integrity, Leadership, Accountability, Teamwork, and Passion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages employees, including but not limited to the following activities: makes recommendations for hiring, termination, promotions, and transfers, assessing and completing performance appraisals, responsibility allocations, and task completion, problem identification and resolution, and other day-to-day people management and leadership responsibilities.
• Leads and collaborates with team to interpret and analyze complex business problems with high risk. Analyzes and corrects reported system failures.
• Creates functional design of principle system components and formulates system scope, objectives, functional requirements, and deliverables.
• Work with Enterprise Architects to design complex technology configurations to satisfy business requirements and create, execute, and maintain project plans for complex systems.
• Maintains existing programs as per project task specifications including coding the alterations, testing, and updating the required documentation as designed by company standards.
• Maintains strict adherence to standards for documentation, development techniques, testing, and other related development activity.
• Leads the integration of new systems and recommends new technology.
• Assists IT management with resource management issues including resource allocation and training goals.
• Coaches and develops staff to maximize individual performance, build future organizational leadership, enhance teamwork and strengthen support of the organization’s values, tactics, and strategies.
• Provides guidance to assigned Information Technology staff concerning technical issues and changes.
• Conducts research and maintains a high level of knowledge in systems software/hardware to ensure operations and implementations are of the highest quality.
• Provide 24-hour support for computer operation of production systems, as needed.
• Supports the Information Technology team and/or other departments on an as-needed basis.
• Willingly takes on additional responsibilities as requested in order to accomplish department and Company objectives.
• Actively participates and contributes to the goals and objectives of the Company by working collaboratively and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
  
  

Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced ability to proactively identify and solve problems and issues of all types; must be able to identify situations that fall outside the parameters of normal or routine activity.
• Demonstrate the following competencies: Analytical thinking, conceptual thinking, customer service orientation, effective communication skills, industry awareness, initiative, integrity, relationship management.
• Advanced knowledge of Lean-Agile principals with the ability to apply the principals to application development and design.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor more junior development team members.
• Organized and self-directed.
• Intuitive, problem solver, and analytical.
• Relies on professional knowledge and discretion to achieve goals. Must be able to use good judgment regarding decisions concerning problem resolution and upgrading task with regard to priority, user impact, risk mitigation and management approval.
• Ability to work effectively with all departments and affiliates to ensure integration of strategic goals and principles.
• Excellent oral, written, listening and presentation skills including the ability to clearly articulate complex information to others; must be able to communicate well with other departments, as well as external clients and customers.
  
  

Training or Work Experience:

• Minimum 7 years continuous experience managing or developing information systems required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Lean-Agile environment required; minimum of 5 years experience preferred.
• Experience working in insurance or finance data processing preferred.
• 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
  
  

Education:

• If High School Diploma, minimum 9 years in related system development experience required.
• If Associates degree, minimum 7 years of experience in related system development experience required.
• If Bachelors’ degree, minimum 5 years of experience in related system development experience required.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• On-Site Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
• Business Travel: Infrequent travel (less than 5% of the time).
  
  

EquiTrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. Applicants have rights under federal and state employment laws. To learn more, visit https://www.equitrust.com/careers/opportunities/applicant-notices/.