Associate Director, Technology

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most aggressive climate change goals in the nation and requires an ambitious agenda that blends proven catalysts with innovative approaches while operating across a broader energy arena that is rapidly evolving. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a driving force in realizing this agenda. NYSERDA works with stakeholders that span residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably from energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Job Overview

NYSERDA is at a transition point, with new funding, programs, and systems. In addition, the Information Technology (IT) landscape itself is changing rapidly with ever increasing Cloud solutions and the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To better position NYSERDA, we are investing in our internal IT team to ensure we have the right skills and capacity to meet these evolving needs. The Associate Director, Technology will work with the CIO to develop and implement the company's technology strategy and ensure that it enables NYSERDA to meet an ambitious and evolving programmatic and policy agenda. This position will focus on data & analytics to ensure our complex system and data architecture is optimized for our current and future needs, including increased use of AI and serve as a technical thought partner to assist in the development and deployment of new systems, and IT infrastructure.

Primary Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• With the CIO, develop and implement the company's technology strategy and ensure it enables NYSERDA to meet an ambitious and evolving programmatic and policy agenda.
• Drives the development of enterprise technology standards, technology architecture, infrastructure planning, and deployment.
• With the CIO, work with Program and Business teams to understand the current and evolving business goals, priorities and resultant system and data needs.
• Oversee the development and launch of new development and deployment of new systems, and IT infrastructure.
• Ensure our complex system and data architecture is optimized for our current and future needs, including increased use of AI.
• Identify new use cases for the application of existing technologies. Continually seeks and evaluates new and innovative ways to make technological improvements within the organization.
• Work with ISO to ensure compliance with cybersecurity policies and protect authority systems and data.
• Manage risks that may arise as the organization innovates, such as during digital transformation initiatives.
• Interface with NYS government users that are both from within NYSERDA as well as from other Agencies, Authorities, and the Governor’s Office.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Assist with the improvement and integration of automation and tools
• Document and assure compliance with IT processes such as software and system SDLC, information security, etc.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to assigned IT Managers, oversee professional development, priority setting and budget oversight.
• Serves as a technology thought leader within NYSERDA; stay current with developments in new technologies and platforms.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including team members, company departments, and third-party members.
• Fosters and contributes to a culture of excellence grounded in people development, learning, problem solving, and teamwork.
• Identifies and executes opportunities to develop staff and colleagues to meet the Authority’s goals and their own professional goals; serve as a mentor and a role model. Guide professional development (training, experience, and exposure) for each member of the team.
• Manage interns and contracted staff as needed.
• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.

Minimum Qualifications

• A demonstrated record of success in developing strategy for systems and platforms needed to meet current and future needs, including data and analytic needs, across multiple functions and lines of business within complex business or government operating environments.
• Skilled at enabling data-driven decision-making, understanding of where the information is coming from to enable decisions, how to best integrate source systems and data platforms, and how to effectively empower the right decision-makers with the right information.
• Proven research abilities to keep abreast on what technical solutions are available and which ones to pursue.
• A strong customer orientation that frames and guides recommendations, output, and priorities.
• Able to guide, direct, or influence people. Is resilient, persuasive and earns credibility by delegating and being adaptable. Listens and understands various points of views.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully partner with program and operational staff to yield a deep understanding of Business Units objectives and how those objectives intersect with technology.
• A track record of building productive relationships across a diverse organization at all levels of the organization.
• The ability to size and estimate technology needs with speed and accuracy in order to develop work plans and resource requirements.
• An ability to quickly identify and drive to the optimal solution when presented with a series of opportunities and / or constraints.
• A track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and with great end-user satisfaction.
• Skill in managing multiple diverse activities simultaneously, delivering on commitments and operating with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Track record as an exceptional manager, coach, mentor, and developer of talent with a predisposition toward investing in the success of colleagues, with demonstrated experience fostering respect, diversity, equity and inclusion across the workforce.
• Presentation and interpersonal skills that resonate with non-technologists and technologists alike; the ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and unambiguously in speech and in writing.
• Strong work ethic
• Resolute integrity
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business administration or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in technology strategy development including 4 years of progressive leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or advanced degree) with 8 years experience in technology strategy development including 4 years of progressive leadership

Additional Qualifications

• Experience in Government sector IT leadership.
• Experience implementing AI
• Experience with cloud technology (Azure preferred, but AWS or Google experience is relevant)
• Experience with software development (Azure / .NET, Salesforce Apex, etc.)
• Experience with datacenter technology (servers, storage, networking, virtualization)
• Experience with New York State ITS policies and procedures
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, or Tableau
• Familiarity with Cyber Security
• Awareness of the business intelligence landscape
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and project management abilities
• Organized, highly detail oriented

Please submit two files, one for your cover letter and another for a resume.

Please note that during the application process, you may be prompted to opt-in to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) scoring. This is an automatic request in the ADP system but is not a feature that is used by NYSERDA in its recruiting and hiring process. Your response will have no impact on your application to NYSERDA.

The salary range is $137,457 - $173,664 annually. Candidates will be considered based on qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is offered.