VP, Application Technology

GCI's VP, Application Technology will be responsible for leading the strategy, development, and management of application technologies within the telecommunications organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), this role plays a critical part in driving innovation and ensuring that application solutions align with business goals and enhance customer experiences. Will oversee the design, development, implementation. operation and maintenance of robust application systems that support the organization’s services and operational needs. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This leadership position requires the following non-delegable responsibilities:

• Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility. 
• Provide exemplary leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports) while demonstrating effective collaboration and alignment in all interactions companywide. Leading by example with focused enthusiasm and shared commitment for required systems development enabling measurable operational efficiencies. Specific leadership duties include:
• Refining the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission.
• Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations and following up appropriately. 
• Hiring individuals, where gaps exist, who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential.
• Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early with formal documentation enabling heightened opportunities for individual and team success. Foster an environment minimizing impacts to failures via a fail fast culture where using what is learned is promoted.
• Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.
• Multi-year strategic planning focus implemented and documented enabling team to align individual objectives to end state architecture and process.

Application Development Oversight & Project Management:

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of application solutions that support operational and business objectives.
• Ensure that applications are user-friendly, scalable, and secure, addressing both internal needs and customer requirements.
• Oversee the project lifecycle from concept through deployment, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Implement best practices in project management to maximize user requirements definition, optimization of solution through lean process and out of the box design thus enabling enhanced efficiency and communication across teams.

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive application technology strategy that aligns with the organization’s vision and the CTO’s directives.
• Identify emerging trends and technologies in application development and telecommunications to inform strategic decisions.
• Establish targeted opportunities to align contracts with long term planning, maximizing cost savings opportunities and effective contract negotiations.

Team Development & Leadership:

• Build and manage a high-performing application technology team, fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, optimization and continuous learning.
• Mentor team members and promote professional development opportunities to enhance skills and capabilities.

Quality Assurance, Compliance, Reporting & Documentation:

• Review and refine quality assurance processes and performance metrics to ensure application reliability and performance.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, security standards, and best practices throughout the application development lifecycle.
• Prepare and present regular reports to the CTO and other senior leaders on application technology initiatives, project status, and performance metrics.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all application technology activities, ensuring transparency and knowledge sharing.

Collaboration with Stakeholders:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Network Engineering, Project Management, Data Analytics and Customer Support, to ensure that application solutions meet organizational needs and improve service delivery.
• Engage with external partners, vendors, and industry experts to drive collaboration and gather insights on application technology advancements.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Drive a culture of innovation by encouraging exploration of new technologies, methodologies, and tools that enhance application development and user experience.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives based on user feedback, performance metrics, lean focus and industry trends.
• Leverage AI to facilitate employee and operational efficiencies, quality in design and optimization in data analytics enabling greater levels of proactive thought and execution.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Develop and manage the budget for application technology initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational financial goals.
• Optimize resource allocation to maximize efficiency and effectiveness across application projects.

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
  • Proven ability to lead an organization to high levels of performance while maintaining morale and personal growth for employees.
  • Take the initiative and seek out opportunities.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
  • Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with a focus on collaboration and accountability.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction, systems availability and reliability. 
  • Strong commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
  • Strong financial acumen, including budget management (OPEX and CAPEX) and resource allocation.
  • Proven experience in managing complex application development projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with a proven ability to drive technology initiatives.
  • Familiarity with project management and engineering tools.
  • Strong strategic thinking and analytical capabilities.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; leads compliance with applicable Security policies and procedures.
• CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change.
  • Capacity to adapt to changing market dynamics and organizational priorities.
• DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex challenging problems and situations leading to optimal solutions. 
  • Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.
• MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT:  utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
  • Ability to act as a positive mentor and coach subordinates and instill a coaching environment in the organization.
• PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Leadership experience with a collaborative approach to cross-functional teamwork.
• Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, CoPilot) to complete job duties effectively, such as using the company intranet and to accurately retrieve and input information into database or equivalents.
  • Familiarity with application development methodologies, including Agile and DevOps.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, or related field. *
• A minimum of twenty (20) years of progressively responsible experience in application technology management, or a related field. To include: *
  • Five (5) years in a role within the telecommunications sector.
  • Five (5) years in a supervisory or managerial role.

Preferred: 

• Relevant Master’s degree or PhD.
• Relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Work performed at office, remote office, and client sites.
• Interaction with upset customers, vendors, or employees may occur.
• Position requires regular travel for business and training purposes, including travel during scoping, requirements, development, testing, or business development activities.
• This position may require travel to project sites and other company locations.
• Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions. 
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours may be necessary to accommodate project timelines and application rollouts.
• Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary. 
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to an immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after-hour contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services. Culture, Engagement and Connection: At GCI, we foster a culture of inclusivity by nurturing an environment where the varied perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community as we grow and empower a diverse workforce that provides equitable opportunity for every Trailblazer. EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.  DISCLAIMER:  The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.