Director of Applied Innovation

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Nebraska.

📋 Description

• Lead, mentor, and nurture a team consisting of an Applied Innovation Engineer and an Applied Innovation Analyst.

• Expand the team through new hires as it continues to grow.

• Personally design, develop, and review application code.

• Own the application portfolio roadmap and coordinate intake processes with business leaders.

• Prioritize initiatives based on business value and determine what the team will not pursue.

• Create and sustain a delivery rhythm that enables usable software to reach users in weeks instead of quarters.

• Report on delivery rhythm and progress.

• Take responsibility for production availability, encompassing deployment, release management, monitoring, and incident response.

• Establish and uphold engineering practices related to version control, testing, code review, release and change management, and documentation.

• Develop the team's AI-assisted development approach, including tools, review standards, guidelines, and protocols for handling company and customer data.

• Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture on architecture, integration, and data standards.

• Work in partnership with IT Infrastructure and IT Security on hosting, identity, access management, and secure development.

• Provide the support organization with documentation, runbooks, training, and knowledge transfer for tier 1 and tier 2 support.

• Act as the escalation point for business applications.

• Maintain a clear distinction between operational applications and data-question-answering tools managed by the Director of Data & AI Enablement.

• Collaborate with the Data & AI Enablement team to avoid duplication of efforts.

• Manage vendor relationships, cloud expenditures, and licensing.

• Report on delivery, risk, and portfolio health to the Chief Technology Officer and business leadership.

• Directly oversee the Applied Innovation Engineer and Applied Innovation Analyst.

• Conduct interviews and hiring, work planning and assignment, coaching, performance management, and resolution of employee concerns.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least seven years of experience in building and supporting business software, including significant time spent in a hands-on engineering role.

• Proven leadership experience with a team, a product, or a major delivery initiative.

• Formal management experience is not mandatory if there is a clear leadership track record.

• Hands-on expertise with a modern application stack, such as TypeScript/JavaScript with React or Next.js, C#, or Python.

• Proficient in relational databases and SQL.

• Experience in cloud application delivery, including deployment, application hosting, identity and authentication, secrets management, monitoring, and cost control using AWS and/or Microsoft Azure.

• Knowledge of system and data integration, including APIs, file interfaces, and integration with ERP or third-party platforms.

• Ability to make scope decisions and deliver narrow initial versions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with non-technical stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ownership of production systems, including release management and incident response.

• A bachelor's degree in a technology-related field such as computer science, computer information systems, or management information systems is preferred.

• Working proficiency with AI-assisted development is preferred; however, strong engineers eager to adopt this technology will also be considered.

• Experience in agriculture, commodities, logistics, or a cooperative is preferred.

• Experience in establishing or revitalizing a small delivery team is preferred.

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.

• Dexterity in using a computer keyboard and mouse.

• Ability to occasionally lift and transport computer equipment and peripherals.

• Availability for occasional after-hours work to support deployments and production issues.

• Employment is contingent upon agreement to confidentiality, intellectual property, and non-disclosure terms.

🏝️ Benefits

• Option for remote work.

• Flexibility to work from any Central Valley Ag location.

• Periodic travel to CVA locations for user engagement, onboarding, and team meetings.

• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

• Equal employment opportunity protections for race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and veteran status.