Operations Lead

Profile

The Operations Lead develops and maintains an effective release and deployment process that meets the needs of multiple agile development teams and agile projects. The Operations Lead works closely with application Delivery Leaders and tech leads to plan, coordinate, and oversee the execution of code deployments across all environments.
This role is part of a team that integrates and sets the direction of effective operations processes (deployment, monitoring, alerting, producing quality metrics, and more). The Operations Lead works with the teams to continuously adapt to new business situations and to evolve a healthier and fuller definition of “done”. This role is responsible for overseeing and actively participating in the automation of software build and deployments. The Operations Lead ensures that current infrastructure is properly utilized as well as accurately plans for future expansion based on a fluid, agile environment.
This is a leadership position, which requires solid interpersonal skills, a collaborative nature, and awareness of self and others. This is a pivotal role responsible for transforming an operations group that is phased-based into a team that adapts to the evolving needs of agile teams and projects. The Operations Lead is expected to own the timely delivery of infrastructure (servers, network connectivity, etc.) in a matrix-based responsibility model. The role collaborates continuously with other Operations Leads to ensure consistent delivery across all development teams and to avoid duplication of efforts.
Position Description (Essential Duties & Responsibilities):
Automation of the environment
Automates and replaces error prone manual processes
Prioritizes automation work to maximize available schedule
Creates and tracks metrics that illustrate the gains and savings of automation
Infrastructure Delivery
Reviews and provides input (estimates for individual projects) to capital budgets regarding infrastructure
Works closely with system administrators to maximize infrastructure capacity
Works with other Operations Leads to provide real-time capacity information; this information is crucial to the overall success and velocity of all agile teams
Continuous Execution
Works with application Delivery Leaders and tech leads to maximize efficiency in the production of quality products
Provides the team the operations resources it needs by effectively managing priorities
Identifies and remedies roadblocks; keeps things moving.
Knows when to escalate and ask for help
Maintains momentum by frequent periodic checks and also by providing clear, consistent communication.
Continuous Improvement
Participates with application Delivery Leaders in defining an overall definition of done
Senses where performance breakdowns are occurring and takes actions to improve team performance
Creates visible means for measuring operational efficiency; creates charts and tables that show progress and highlight areas that require attention
Interprets data to identify biggest opportunities
Works with team to identify and implement improvements
Performs other duties as assigned
Knowledge/Skills
/Experience:
Basic
(Required)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and recent, relevant work history
Minimum 5 years professional, recent experience in the IT or software product development industry
Proven success in either a software development engineer/developer position or a System Administration position
Minimum 2 years experience with software build, deployment, smoke testing, code promotion (active participation)
Deep and demonstrable understanding of Linux O/S; must be comfortable using the Linux shell
Experience with application delivery, promoting releases of complex application/infrastructure configuration
Deep understanding of multiple segments of web technology (ex. HTML, XML, CSS and Web 2.0 concepts)
Proven, strong written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively in meetings, email and informal discussions
Good presentation skills
Strong time management skills, and excellent organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple demands without missing deadlines
Strong creative problem-solving skills
Strong understanding of risk management techniques and ability to develop appropriate contingency plans
Preferred
Minimum of 1 year experience automating the software build and deployment process
Experience with Windows Server environments
Prior hands-on software development experience with an object-oriented language
Basic understanding of publishing concepts, such as content acquisition, content creation, editing, data conversion, and formatting
Experience working with Java-based projects
Knowledge of or experience with open source software, such as ICE and Lucene
Experience with a knowledge management company
Experience in any role that is part of an agile development environment or team
Cengage Learning

Company info

Sign Up Now - EmploymentCrossing.com