IT Manager, Application Development

Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies - Lansing, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Lansing, MI

About the position

The IT Manager, Application Development at Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies is responsible for leading the development and support of application software development teams. This role involves collaborating with business and technical areas to deliver software and systems that align with business goals, while also identifying and implementing process improvements within the IT Division.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to application developers at all levels.
• Develop and build a team of application developers to support assigned enterprise systems.
• Establish effective working relationships with business partners and IT Managers.
• Collaborate with business partners, operations, vendors, system integrators, and other IT teams to facilitate the development of business application software throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Communicate job expectations and service standards for departmental and individual performances clearly and concisely.
• Set expectations, encourage efficiencies, and ensure quality of work is met.
• Select, promote, discipline, and terminate employees in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Guide and coach employees in setting professional development goals and building plans to meet those goals.
• Utilize employee self-appraisal and feedback to write and deliver performance appraisals detailing progress.
• Manage resources to ensure assignments align with business strategies and corporate priorities.
• Help define, estimate, and prioritize projects and maintenance activities.
• Participate in the development and updating of resource plans.
• Negotiate contract terms, conditions, and prices of proposed software, professional services, and training solutions as needed.
• Prepare proposals and recommendations for senior management as requested.
• Stay knowledgeable of technological changes in application packages, best practices, development tools, systems analysis techniques, testing tools and techniques, project methodologies, hardware, and operating systems.
• Facilitate discussions to ensure open lines of communication with Project Management Office, project managers, and other key roles on corporate plan projects.
• Monitor workloads and make staffing recommendations to ensure a high level of customer experience and aid in staff retention.
• Establish and integrate departmental measures, metrics, and targets to drive performance and monitor results.
• Establish, monitor, and report on an annual operating budget.
• Stay abreast of current and future industry trends and developments that will assist in meeting objectives.
• Serve as technical lead on division and corporate plan projects or system outages.
• Coordinate technical tasks and work closely with leadership.
• Work closely with Internal Audit on processes or guidelines when requested.
• Participate in the development of departmental and division planning, and other strategic documents which support business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field is preferred, or equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Designations in AINS and/or FLMI required or are actively being pursued.
• One to three years of management experience, or a minimum of five years of team leadership experience required.
• Knowledge of information technology concepts, techniques, and processes required.
• Familiarity with the relationship between hardware, software, networks, security, and general business processes required.
• General knowledge of insurance company operations required.
• Proven ability to build and maintain constructive business relationships.
• Record of project and staff development successes.

Nice-to-haves

• Three or more years of technology leadership experience in a property/casualty or life insurance company preferred.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)