Manager, IT Services

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 157-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. We are the heart and voice of the North.

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We're seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state's most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you.

Job Summary:

The Manager, IT Services is accountable for workstation, voice, data, servers, storage, and system security at The Minnesota Star Tribune. The Manager, IT Services is responsible for overall planning of our infrastructure system configurations including research and development, systems design and implementation, and performance analysis. This role will support desktop and infrastructure computing needs while planning, organizing, and implementing support functions to meet business requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluates staff and spending needs for workstations, Infrastructure networks and server environments managing associated costs within budget.
• Ensures resources are effectively utilized for current corporate priorities.
• Works with staff members to develop backup skill sets to ensure proper coverage of workload.
• Work with team members and IT Enablement Director to ensure accurate and effective performance management and reviews.
• Responsible for managing telecommunications, hardware, and software costs within budget.
• Ensures problem identification, escalation, notification, and resolution meet business Service Level Agreements.

Relationship Management - 25%

• Advises the organization about the capabilities of its systems and staff, and how to apply current technology to business problems or opportunities.
• Establishes and maximizes relationships with vendors and third-party technology partners.
• Maintains industry specific knowledge to determine relevant technology solutions that solve business problems or capture business opportunities at a strategic level.
• Responsible for negotiation of contracts including hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and maintenance.
• Understands the impact of changes on the end user community and impact on overall business needs to ensure we meet customer Service Level Agreements.

Strategy and Planning - 20%

• Participates in strategic planning and goal setting. Ensures that IT goals and objectives are in alignment with company and business strategies.
• Works with IT Leadership to set strategic direction, continually assess direction and opportunities. Manages staff to follow and support strategic direction.
• Responsible for maximizing voice and data systems availability.
• Participates in prioritization of IT work with IT leadership.
• Performs active development planning to ensure that staff members have the skills necessary to support the organization's hardware and software.
• Participates with other IT Leaders to define corporate technology requirements and provides the support necessary to ensure they are successfully established.

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  Leads evaluation and selection of telecommunications, network infrastructure, hardware, and software products and services.
  

Qualifications:

• 6-8 years of experience in IT Operations and Service Delivery.
• Demonstrated success utilizing management principles and practices including training, evaluation, and discipline of employees.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire change and capture results through diverse sets of people in a team-based environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including conflict resolution, negotiation, coaching, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including ability to prioritize and organize multiple requests into effective and business-focused solutions.
• Ability to communicate complex information in terms that are understood at all levels.
• Able to operate effectively in an environment of frequent change and ambiguity.
• Solid understanding of voice, data, and wireless network topologies and standards.
• Thorough understanding of desktop, server and network hardware and software
• Ability to prepare and monitor operational and capital budgets.
• Strong analytical skills.

Relationships:

More about The Minnesota Star Tribune

At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here's a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer:

• Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days.
• Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement.
• Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.

Honored in 2023 with Diversity MBA's inaugural Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Awards, we are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.