Sr. Manager Application Development (Operations)

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Application Development is a strategic leader responsible for driving innovation and operational excellence across NISC's Engineering & Operations (E&O) solutions and Framework Teams, including User Interface (UI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This individual plays a critical role in aligning technology direction with NISC's cooperative mission—empowering our Member utilities and broadband providers with efficient, scalable, and forward-thinking software solutions. Success in this role requires a balance of technical acumen, people leadership, and strategic foresight to shape high-performing teams and frameworks that power our enterprise product portfolio.

This role reports to the Vice President of Application Development and leads a large organization consisting of 100+ team members, including multiple managers and several team leads. The ideal candidate will be skilled at building strong leadership teams, managing performance with clarity and consistency, and partnering cross-functionally to deliver measurable value to NISC and its Members. This candidate would also need to be located out of one of NISC's physical office locations.

Change in Role Structure

This posting reflects a strategic change in the structure and focus of the role. Previously, AI responsibilities were housed within a team reporting to one of the group's managers. With this updated role, AI is being elevated to report directly to the Senior Manager, who will also be responsible for creating and leading a new internal AI framework team. This team will enable NISC to scale its use of AI in both internal development processes (e.g., coding, review, testing) and as components that can be leveraged across our Member-facing solutions.

Essential Duties

- Lead multiple E&O applications and framework teams focused on core enablement services.

- Oversee both internal AI frameworks that enhance NISC's software development lifecycle (e.g., coding, review, and testing) and external AI frameworks designed to accelerate the development of Member-facing solutions.

- Drive innovation by evolving shared frameworks—including AI, and UI —to accelerate software delivery and consistency across NISC's product portfolio.

- Develop, translate, and execute long-term operational plans in alignment with strategic initiatives.

- Partner with Product Management, Member Engagement, and Support to ensure that solutions not only meet technical objectives but also deliver measurable value to our Members.

- Establish and maintain a culture of high performance by defining clear metrics for team and individual productivity. Regularly review progress and engage in direct, ongoing coaching to ensure goals are met and performance gaps are addressed swiftly.

- Select, coach, and develop leaders, ensuring they build strong, engaged, and capable teams.

- Exercise independent decision-making over team structure, resource planning, technology direction, and performance management, while collaborating with executive and peer leaders for broader architectural or strategic priorities.

- Influence and align with peer leaders across Architecture, Infrastructure, Product, and QA to ensure a cohesive, scalable technology ecosystem.

- Ensure all development work reflects NISC's cooperative mission by delivering scalable, Member-focused solutions that enhance the operations of electric and broadband providers across North America.

- Foster a team culture that reflects NISC's Statement of Shared Values, promoting collaboration, accountability, and service-minded innovation.

- Manage departmental budgets and resource allocations.

- Champion change management efforts that help teams adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

- Serve as a subject matter expert and resource in the functional and technical areas of responsibility.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- 5+ years of leadership or supervisory experience within software development or a related technical discipline.

- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage cross-functional boundaries, and build high-performing organizations.

- Proven success in coaching others using performance data and metrics.

- Familiarity with modern software frameworks, particularly those related to AI, UI development, and service dependency management.

- Ability to drive strategic outcomes while managing the details of execution.

- Strong emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness.

- Experience leading teams through organizational or technological change.

- Commitment to continuous learning and development—for self and team.

- Ability to travel as needed to meet position goals.

Education Preferred

Bachelor's degree in a business or technology-related field, or equivalent experience.

Minimum Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made. While performing this role, employees must be able to see and communicate effectively. They are regularly required to remain stationary, move about, and operate computer keyboards or office equipment.

Disclaimer

Management may modify this job description by assigning or reassigning duties and responsibilities at any time.