Director, Information Technology
Location: Remote
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
- Own and deliver multiple technical projects, aligning with Data Enablement and corporate growth objectives.
- Architect solutions that leverage modern technologies, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
- Drive technical projects from concept to completion, providing architectural guidance and hands-on contributions to ensure high-quality outcomes.
- Define project milestones and KPIs, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Drive continuous innovation by incorporating emerging trends and tools, including generative AI, into project workflows.
Hands-On Technical Expertise
- Actively contribute to software development, architecture design, and code reviews.
- Use generative AI to optimize development processes, enhance team productivity, and solve complex challenges.
- Provide technical mentorship, guiding teams in adopting modern programming languages, frameworks, and AI-powered tools.
- Champion best practices in software engineering, including CI/CD, automated testing, and cloud-native development.
Team Leadership
- Inspire, mentor, and manage a high-performing development team.
- Promote the use of generative AI tools to boost team creativity, efficiency, and skill development.
- Cultivate a culture of ownership, accountability, and innovation.
- Evaluate team performance and identify growth opportunities through personalized development plans.
Problem Solving and Innovation
- Proactively identify and resolve technical and business blockers.
- Foster collaborative problem-solving sessions, encouraging teams to experiment and innovate.
- Lead by example, demonstrating a solutions-oriented mindset and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.
Stakeholder Communication
- Collaborate with business units, external partners, and leadership to align on goals, strategies, and deliverables.
- Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Provide regular updates on progress, risks, and opportunities.
Process and Workflow Optimization
- Continuously assess and improve development processes to enhance team efficiency and quality.
- Collaborate with IT leadership to implement agile and DevOps practices.
Strategic Alignment
- Work closely with the VP of Data Enablement to align technical strategies with long-term corporate goals, including household growth and worksite expansion.
- Advocate for investments in modern tools, technologies, and methodologies to maintain competitive advantage.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Experience
- 10+ years of experience leading technical teams and delivering impactful software solutions.
- Proven track record in hands-on software development and technical leadership.
- Experience implementing generative AI technologies in development workflows.
- Strong background in cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and DevOps practices.
Skills and Competencies
Technical Expertise
- Expertise in software architecture, APIs, microservices, and cloud-native solutions.
- Proficiency in leveraging generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or similar to enhance development workflows.
- At least eight (8) years of direct experience with ALL the following:
- .NET Framework development
- C#
- Microsoft SQL Server
- At least four (4) years of direct experience with MOST of the following:
- .NET Core
- Net Standard
- ASP.NET Core MVC
- Web API
- At least two (2) years of direct experience with ANY of the following:
- AWS – API Gateway, Elasticsearch, Firehose, Kinesis, Lambda, and/or CloudWatch
- Azure – APIM, Search, Event Hubs, Functions, and/or Monitor
Problem Solving and Innovation
- Ability to analyze complex challenges, design innovative solutions, and execute them efficiently.
- Strong decision-making skills, particularly under pressure.
Leadership
- Exceptional team-building and mentoring skills.
- Ability to lead by example, motivating teams to adopt modern practices and tools.
- Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Project Management
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps).
Communication
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of translating technical concepts for diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with generative AI in software development and operations.
- Deep understanding of modern front-end and back-end technologies, including serverless computing.
- Expertise in managing hybrid or fully remote teams.
- Certifications in cloud technologies or project management (e.g., AWS, Azure, PMP).
Salary Range: $124,200.00 - $175,800.00
- Salary is commensurate to experience, location, etc.
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, we’ve broadened our mission to helping all educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow. And with our broadened mission has come corporate growth: We serve more than 4,100 school districts nationwide, we’re publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: HMN) and we have more than $12 billion in assets.
We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs. We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them. This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future. Our tailored offerings include special rates and benefits for educators.
EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status
For applicants that are California residents, please review our California Consumer Privacy Notice
All applicants should review our Horace Mann Privacy Policy
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience leading technical teams and delivering software solutions
- Proven experience in hands-on software development and technical leadership
- Experience implementing generative AI technologies in development workflows
- Strong background in cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Experience with DevOps practices
- Expertise in software architecture, APIs, microservices, and cloud-native solutions
- Proficiency with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot
- At least 8 years of direct experience with .NET Framework development, C#, and Microsoft SQL Server
- At least 4 years of direct experience with most of .NET Core, .NET Standard, ASP.NET Core MVC, and Web API
- At least 2 years of direct experience with specified AWS or Azure services
- Ability to analyze complex challenges and design and execute innovative solutions
- Strong decision-making skills under pressure
- Exceptional team-building and mentoring skills
- Ability to foster innovation, collaboration, and accountability
- Strong organizational skills for managing multiple projects
- Familiarity with agile methodologies and tools such as Jira or Azure DevOps
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Master's degree
- Experience with generative AI in software development and operations
- Deep understanding of modern front-end and back-end technologies, including serverless computing
- Experience managing hybrid or fully remote teams
- Cloud technology or project management certifications, such as AWS, Azure, or PMP
What We Do
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two educators in Springfield, Ill., who believed teachers deserved affordable auto insurance. Originally called the Illinois Education Association Mutual Insurance Company, our name was changed to honor the father of the American public education system, Horace Mann. We are proud to share his name. At Horace Mann, the hard work, commitment and dedication of our employees are the foundation of our success. And today we are the largest, national multiline insurance company dedicated to serving America’s educators and their families. Our purpose is to provide lifelong financial well-being for educators and their families through personalized service, advice, and a full range of tailored insurance and financial products. Through our professional agents and their staff, we offer insurance and financial products to the educational community across the United States.
