VP,
Technology Services
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resume] The
Director/VP of Technical Services is primarily responsible
for the *abilities* (reliability, availability, scalability,
etc.) related to a large network of websites to ensure
an *always on* environment, as well as for the performance
(response time) of the sites. Additionally, this person
will work closely with the Platform Engineering team
to ensure that architectural upgrades both in infrastructure
and platforms are accomplished. This is a working director
position which will demand hands-on technical knowledge
in providing guidance to a team of approximately ten
staff: 1. Management
- Continually improve the technical capabilities of
the Technical Services team
- Plan for and continuously forecast and manage capital
budgets and operating expenses in line with business
vectors and capabilities
- Develop a strong technical bench so that the site
dynamics are never compromised for want of qualified
people
- Develop next-generation leadership so that management
depth is created in the technical services area *
with forethought and by design
2. Projects
- Always ensure that the network has flexible capability
to accommodate 5x-10x increases in load during peak
periods without compromising response times
- Provide an environment where planned downtime is
driven down to zero within the next two years
- Plan for, create and deploy a 100% redundant, disaster
recovery-capable technological environment
- Define, develop and deploy appropriate networks
to support traffic to the sites
- Define, develop and lead the implementation of hardware
and OS solutions to *host* new sites
- Develop and establish strong relationships with
key suppliers of technologies
- Create an *operations handbook* that can serve as
the reference of choice for operations
- Any other technical projects as may be periodically
assigned
3. Operations Support (30%)
- Create and regularly publish *a book of metrics*
that clearly reflects the state of the health of all
technical services
- Create, publish and track service level agreements
(SLA*s) for each aspect of technical services
- Set and manage the teams expectations based both
on strategy and metrics
- Identify 3rd party relationships that interrelate
with the network of sites. Help management to better
understand both the advantages and the scalability
risks in such relationships
- Develop, propose and as approved, implement risk
mitigation plans in collaboration with 3rd party providers,
so as to ensure a technically-sound user experience
- Lead the daily activities of all technical service
areas
- Maintain appropriate levels of staffing at all times
- Manage Cap Ex and Op Ex Budgets
- Manage 3rd party service providers
- Manage the asset list, especially the retirement
of unused and obsolete equipment from the books
- Continually re-examine and monitor the effectiveness
of escalation processes to appropriately reflect the
gravity of technical service issues
4. External Partnerships
- Manage and maintain relationships with key hardware,
software and services vendors
- Manage relationships and negotiate SLAs with third-party
companies
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