[BBLISA-jobs] Director of Systems Operations - Cambridge, MA

[Don Harpin]

Do you consider yourself an expert at running high volume web application data centers? Are you up for the challenge of optimizing technical operations for a multi-product social networking application company? If these things excite you, then we would like to talk to you about our opportunity!

The Director of Systems Operations is senior position that will be responsible for leading the Online Buddies Systems team in day-to-day technical operation of our market leading social network applications. This would include multiple, high volume, high availability websites and multi-platform (Android and iPhone) mobile companion applications.

The role will report to the CTO and be responsible for managing and leading a small team of systems engineers. The successful candidate will be someone that has current experience in running high volume, high availability commercial websites across multiple data centers. Must be able to lead the team in efficient day-to-day operation and support, as well as drive ongoing technical operational improvement initiatives. These would include such things as optimizing and tuning site monitoring and performance/scaling, as well as supporting ongoing growth in application use and new product rollout. Will need to work collaboratively with
Product Management and Product Development organizations. This person will own and be responsible for defining and managing within annual budget.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES...

 *   Work under the high level direction of the CTO to own the overall quality, stability and robustness and ongoing continuous improvement of Online Buddies data center operations in support the overall business objectives.
 *   Provide oversight of all data center activities including new software production updates, new hardware installations, upgrades, and maintenance and risk mitigation.
 *   Responsible for coordinating and participating in compliance related activities including PCI compliance and routine security assessments and compliance.
 *   Take the lead to refine appropriate processes controls such as availability management, capacity management, change management, service level management, configuration management, incident and problem management.
 *   Ensure proper level of management and oversight of vendor resource in meeting contracted support and delivery obligations.
 *   Cross-collaborates with the program and product team members to meet requirements of regular production site updates as part of our Agile development and deployment process.
 *   Define and execute annual budget in support of the systems operations. This includes personnel as well as CAPEX budget needs. Participate in infrastructure meetings, including planning meetings, project meetings, vendor reviews and incident meetings. Continually review budget/spend to ensure budget goals are met.
 *   Lead and develop engineers in team. Manage and in some cases develop individual systems and tools engineer.
 *   Work collaboratively with QA and Development and Software Tools teams on supporting quality initiatives. This will involve both defining and driving key Systems level quality improvements, as well as supporting the needs of the QA Manager in driving overall IT wide Quality goals.
 *   Lead ongoing assessments of overall infrastructure and also follow through on key systems environment level hardware and third party software upgrades.
 *   Be available as part of regular 24x7 escalation process to help as needed on any site related P1 issues.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING...

 *   BS degree required, MS desired in computer science or related technical field or business.
 *   10 years + of experience in operating and maintaining a high volume commercial website or data center.
 *   Desired experience working in an e-Commerce and/or social networking websites.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES...

 *   Have broad operation data center operations background combined with quality, continuous improvement, high scale/high availability.
 *   Have a hands-on working knowledge of common systems configuration best practices and latest monitoring, and application tuning techniques.
 *   Must display a solid track record or leading technical teams in support of data center operations. Looking for proven experience to serve as "player-coach" to lead and develop technical teams to higher levels of performance.
 *   Experience with web based applications - with technology experience with LAMP stack as well as Java based applications.
 *   Be familiar with Agile development process and rapid (2 week) release cycles. Ability to be flexible and adapt to any given situation
 *   Excellent customer service attitude, communication skills (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills. Must have strong analytical and data driven problem-solving skill.
 *   Experience in leading and participating in data center governance (compliance, internal and external audit). Also have experience in managing strategic relationships with key IT product and service providers. This would include development of RFP's, and negotiation of contracts and purchase agreements with key vendors.
 *   Have previous management experience to lead and develop technical team members. Be able to build solid team performance through sound people leadership skills.
 *   Basic understanding of the principles and best practices of software development process and software quality principals. Strong benefit to have experience with Agile based development.
 *   Ability to work under pressure and in high stress situations with a calm demeanor.
 *   Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of deployments or in support of on-call escalations of production issues.
For more information about the company or to apply online, visit http://www.online-buddies.com.

No phone inquiries please!
__________________________

Don Harpin
Director, Human Resources
Online Buddies, Inc.
http://www.online-buddies.com

Main: 617-225-2727
Direct: 617-674-8949
Mobile: 617-823-4240
Direct Fax: 617-674-8881

This transmission contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from Online Buddies, Inc. or affiliated entities intended only for the use of the individual(s) to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying or distribution of this information or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately.

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