Application Manager at Sunrise Technosystems

About the job
Sunrise is looking for Information Technology Application and Infrastructure Managers for Johannesburg Location

Contract: 6-month contract with a possible extension thereafter

Experience: Minimum 3 + Years

We are looking for managing the software applications and supporting hardware within a business. The ideal candidate must figure out what specific applications are needed to improve business operations, and then supervise the installation, upgrading, and daily maintenance of software applications and associated hardware used by an organization. This includes being responsible for various actions, and responsibilities associated with the Disaster Recovery governance and principles for the applications they are responsible for. They engage with people at all levels of an organization and usually work as part of an IT team.

All types of businesses require IT software to do their business, some of which are developed internally, and some are bought from third-party vendors. It is the job of the Application Manager to identify what software is best for a business’s specific needs. They then acquire the software, prepare the servers, install the software, configure it, load data into it, tune it, upgrade it, and repair it when there are problems. They also sometimes help train and communicate how to use the software across the organization.

1. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Assesses customer and/or business process requirements; analyses structure and flow of work and data that support needs; evaluates possible solutions and implements and/or recommends solutions that support the mission, values and goals of the Organisation.
•  Develop professional relations with customers and establish effective solutions to meet business requirements.
•  Analyse business requirements and develop enhancements to achieve same.
•  Ensure and prove that a software application has recovery capabilities (replication, active-active, backup-restore or whatever means). This is demonstrated by detailed Disaster Recovery plans (in the form of Service Recovery Instructions document) which must include detailed failover steps, teams/skills involved, upstream/downstream dependencies etc.
•  Identify critical components as part of a holistic plan and approach for the Disaster Recovery of the application and its associated sub systems. This includes the scheduling of and managing of DR tests, schedules and DR of the entire system during an active DR situation.
•  Actively work towards achieving better DR capability (move from backup-restore to replication, replication to high-availability)
•  Liaise with business counterparts (Business Owners) to establish suitable test dates, agree on downtime during DR test and arrange testers to be part of a DR test
•  Ensure that software and operating system on production and DR servers are of same version
•  Ensure the information pertaining to all applications, that they are responsible for, are kept complete and updated on Group Technology Repository. This includes architectural diagrams, SOPs, landscape diagrams, ownership information, application tier etc.
•  Actively liaise with DR team to book applications for DR tests based on the application tier. Ensure that test frequency based on the tier is adhered to.
•  Ensure all production servers are backed up and receive reports daily. Ensure failed/missed backup issues are addressed the same day.
•  Prepare designs and maintain cost for various business application developments.
•  Analyse current system processes and design functional requirements.
•  Keep record of all costs associated with each application for budget purposes as well as financial management and reporting purposes.
•  Maintains a strong understanding of technology and its application to achieve business objectives.
•  Ensures application runs on supported hardware and Operating system.
•  Prepares upgrade roadmap
•  Logs new feature or enhancement requests with the vendor.
•  Manages vendor relationship and SLA’s
•  Manages Application capacity
•  Ensures that application and underlying hardware and operating systems are monitored.
•  Manages license and support renewals
•  Performs project management and participates on project teams responsible for system hardware and application software implementation and upgrades. Works closely with technical staff, vendors, and contacts from other institutions to ensure timely and efficient completion of projects.
•  Assures technical support problem resolution related to networks, servers, desktops, database management software, operating systems, and/or business application software systems through the cooperative relationships with Technical Support Services. Performs system administration activities, which includes coordinating and managing the purchasing, installation, and configuration of desktops, software and related application software upgrades.
•  Creates and maintains standards, procedures, and documentation related to area of responsibility. May participate in computer audits and perform testing for the disaster recovery process, ensuring a secure processing environment that protects the integrity and availability of information.
•  Co-ordinates system changes as per the change management process
•  Ensures access is granted to systems and information utilizing approved information technology security policies, standards and guidelines.
•  Creates, develops and oversees processes, protocols and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
•  Participates in/on a variety of meetings, groups, and/or committees to communicate and confer about process analysis of existing procedures and systems, determine cost/benefit and complexities of new processes and projects, prepare for testing, discuss the roll-out of new projects and software upgrades.
•  Researches and recommends required Infrastructure and database configurations to ensure optimum performance and capability to meet the business needs of the Business.
•  Prepares project proposals and budgets; performs analysis for new technologies and system enhancements.
•  Participates in recommending budget items; implements and allocates resources following budget approval.
•  May define testing and development environment suitable for testing and evaluation of new technologies
•  Monitor everyday operations of the application development team and provide regular feedback.
•  Collaborate with architectural and quality assurance team and achieve all quality deliverables.
•  Perform research and develop new systems and applications for new and present systems.
•  Manage and provide support to critical business application systems.
•  Plan budgets and manage all operations within control expenses
•  Provide oversight and management to the IT Application team to deliver IT services
•  Assesses user needs to provide support and proactive service, including analysis of opportunities in order to take advantage of available tools
•  Acts as a focal point for communicating related system problems and collaborates with other teams and vendors on changes, fixes, and updates
•  Manages the release process for applications which includes effective end user communication
•  Manages testing scripts and identifies opportunities for improvement
•  Negotiates resolution of conflicting requirements
•  Manages delivery and SLAs by guiding incident resolution, problem management, maintenance, and enhancement tickets raised by the end users for assigned applications
•  Develops relevant metrics, measures and publishes the performance of the services provided and enables continuous improvement activities in collaboration with peer groups
•  Works closely with all other IT management personnel in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and implementing specific information technologies that support the business plans and IT strategies
•  Ensure department adheres to policies and procedures that are compliant with industry and regulatory policies
•  Keeps abreast of new developments and forecasts future trends in the area of application integration
•  Provides ongoing troubleshooting, support, and maintenance of applications

2 SKILLS

Application Managers need to have a strong analytical mind and problem-solving skills. Sometimes, the solutions they come up with will require detailed analysis and creative thinking. They should also be good communicators, to be able share their findings and suggestions with senior leadership. To manage a software implementing team, Application Managers also need good leadership abilities. They also will benefit from developed customer service skills and a patience when teaching new tools to users. Along with the skills and traits just listed, jobs listings for Application Managers are looking for candidates with the following skills.

Core skills:

•  Knowledge of system design, development, implementation, and user support principles and practices.
•  Experience with database management.
•  Familiarity with Project management principles.
•  Experience with Information system troubleshooting.
•  Demonstrated skill in developing automated business systems.
•  Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.

Advanced skills:

•  Knowledge of advanced systems analysis methods, practices, and principles.
•  Knowledge of cost modelling principles.
•  Experience preparing workflow analyses.
•  Experience leading and facilitating training.