IT Manager Architecture, Strategy, and AI (Austin)

THIS POSTING IS FOR EXISTING TWC EMPLOYEES ONLY

WHO WE ARE\:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is based at 1411 Brazos Street, Austin in the Information Technology (IT) Division.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE\:
We are seeking a visionary IT Manager (Manager V) to lead our Architecture, Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives and team. This role requires a unique blend of technical depth and strategic governance to drive high-impact results. You will serve as the engine behind our IT governance, ensuring technical roadmaps align with business goals. We are looking for a communicator who builds strong partnerships across the organization, championing team collaboration, and delivering customer-centric solutions.

WHAT YOU WILL DO\:
The IT Manager (Manager V) is selected by and accountable to the Director with the approval of Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Officer. Performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work administering the daily operations and activities of the team to fulfill its mission within the IT division. Work involves planning, organizing, managing, controlling, and evaluating the work of individuals and the unit as a whole. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Provides services related to technology used by TWC program areas providing services and support for a robust labor market and putting people back to work. Supervises the delivery and maintenance of enterprise IT tools and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The IT Manager supports the alignment of all development activities with established IT architecture standards. This ensures that the team’s work complies with the agency’s enterprise direction and maintains consistency across technical designs and code deployments. By adhering to these standards, the manager helps enforce compliance and promotes a unified approach to technology within the organization. Maintains a reliable, predictable work schedule. May be called upon to work outside of normal business hours to sustain operations or complete urgent assignments.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO\:
- Ensure adequate staffing for the team to provide optimum services to TWC programs and to sustain operations.
- Communicate job requirements to employees and evaluate their performance.
- Ensure compliance with the IT software/systems development life cycle policy and procedures, that include waterfall, hybrid, and agile methodologies.
- Develop employee skills and build depth of expertise to position unit for technology changes and staff turnover.
- Manage the tactical activities of the team responsible for developing, deploying, and supporting core enterprise IT tools and AI-enhanced solutions.
- Enforce compliance with established enterprise architecture standards, ensuring all technical designs and code deployments align with the agency's approved IT blueprints.
-Oversee the administration, optimization, and daily support of internal IT tools utilized to sustain division operations.
- Oversee the development of the technology roadmap and two-year strategic plan.
- Oversee the coordination and development of statewide reporting.
- Facilitate the practical integration of new technologies into existing systems and workflows, actively resolving technical dependencies and roadblocks.
- Monitor and control unit’s functions to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
- Monitor unit work in process and actively participate in maintaining and providing input to departmental dashboards.
- Prepare detailed analyses and reports as assigned.
- Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and agency laws, rules, policies, and procedures including IT Handbook and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that govern TWC IT.
- Contribute to teamwork and communicate effectively.
- Promote an image of IT excellence.
- May serve as backup to IT Directors or Managers.
- Collaborate with CIO and IT directors to create and maintain IT’s values and operating principles, work to establish a culture of accountability, teamwork, excellence, ingenuity, and innovation to promote an image of IT excellence.
- Perform other duties as assigned to maintain IT operations.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH\:
- Bachelor's degree related to Information Systems and 6 years IT experience in progressive growth, management and leadership responsible positions.
- Experience developing and implementing goals for IT teams.
- Experience with IT budgets, purchasing, and contracts.
- Skill in project and resource management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of industry trends, standards, best practices and tools.
- Experience in software development and Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
- Demonstrated skills using software/systems development methodologies such as waterfall, iterative, and/or agile sprints; problem-solving; critical thinking; building quality into code; planning and organizing work; meeting due dates.
- Experience supporting, administering, or implementing enterprise IT tools and technology platforms.
- Demonstrated experience enforcing technical architecture standards and ensuring development teams adhere to structural guidelines and best practices.
- Practical experience deploying or integrating emerging technologies, including AI, automation, or advanced analytics, into existing software environments.
- Proven ability to translate high-level architectural designs into actionable developer tasks, user stories, and technical sprint backlogs.
- Demonstrate logical approach to problem determination; detect and determine root causes for recurring and complex issues.
- Strong competencies in planning, project management, leadership and organization.
- Skill in communicating technical information to a non-technical audience.
- Produce and present clear, concise and professional communications and presentations.
- Ability to analyze problems, develop solutions, communicate clearly and communicate effectively with technical colleagues and non-technical customers.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Knowledge of Texas Workforce Commission programs.

YOU QUALIFY WITH\:
- Six years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency, two years of which must have been in an administrative management or supervisory capacity.
- Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.
- One year of full-time in-service TWC experience classified as a Manager IV with regular status will satisfy the minimum qualifications.

YOU GAIN\:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace
-Work on impactful projects that improve services for Texans
-Competitive starting salary\: $8,000.00 – $10,200.00/month
-Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
-Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
-Medical Insurance
-Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
-Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https\://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

VETERANS\:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser\: https\://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

HOW TO APPLY\:
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.