The Data and Applications Manager, under the direction of the IT Director, is responsible for the oversight of the day-day operations of the Data and Applications team, which supports all the Tribe's enterprise applications, databases and data across government, gaming & hospitality, health and enterprises. Along with strategic planning for future planning, digital transformation, electronic workflow creation and workforce automation this position directs and supervises the Data and Application team in supporting hundreds of enterprise applications and interfaces between systems.  Leads project planning and management initiatives for all enterprise applications and coordinates change management with the entire IT team.  Works closely with IT data resources and the executive leadership across the Tribe and enterprises to make data more available and actionable for leadership and to support a more data driven organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

Strategic Leadership & Management:

• Lead the Data and Application team, fostering a collaborative work environment and optimizing resource allocation to achieve departmental goals.
• Develop and implement the enterprise application strategy, aligning application development and integration with business needs across diverse divisions (government services, healthcare, gaming & hospitality, etc.).
• Champion the organization's digital transformation, cloud migration, and data-driven decision-making initiatives.
• Partner with the IT Director to set strategic priorities for data and application management across the organization.
• Work closely with executive stakeholders and IT Director to prepare strategic plans and budgets around all enterprise applications used across the Tribe.
• Lead the IT team efforts in Business Relationship Management across all departments, divisions and enterprises of the tribe.
• Support team in following organized project management processes and best practice change management processes in all projects.

Application Management & Support:

• Oversee the support and maintenance of existing enterprise applications, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of new software solutions, interfaces, and automated workflows to improve efficiency and functionality.
• Collaborate with Business Intelligence Analysts to ensure data is readily available for informed decision making.
• Guide the Data Governance Administrator in establishing and implementing data classification policies and ensuring data security best practices.
• Supervise the development and management of in-house databases, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of technical specialists including Database Administrators, System Analysts, Application Specialists, Business Intelligence Analysts, and Project Managers.
• Foster collaboration between the Data and Application team and other IT departments (Security, Network Operations) to ensure seamless integration and data security.
• Work closely with IT managers across various divisions (government services, healthcare, gaming & hospitality) to understand their specific application needs.

Security & Compliance:

• Collaborate with the IT Security team to develop and implement security protocols for data protection across all applications and databases.
• Ensure compliance with data security regulations and industry best practices.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Stay updated on emerging data management technologies, cloud solutions, and application trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain project plans and budgets for application development and implementation initiatives.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide mentorship to members of the Data and Application team.
• All other job-related duties as assigned  

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, executives, Board of Directors, customers and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position heavy with dual lifting of 100 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of color vision, typing; frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, use of hearing, driving, bending; occasional pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, manual handling, use of smell, near/midrange/far vision and field of vision. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather, wet/humidity, noise and air quality. Potential hazards include constant computer use and occasional exposure to electric shock, high exposed places, chemicals and equipment. The IT Department is a 24/7 operation; working nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call should be expected if scheduled to work.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems Management, related field or five years demonstrated ability in relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Threeyears of experience in data and application administration and technical support management experience in a large business environment required in addition to above-stated education requirement.

Certification/License: Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver's license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must undergo a Criminal background investigation done under the rules of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing.

Knowledge:

• Enterprise Applications:  In-depth knowledge of enterprise application concepts, including functionality, integration, and deployment strategies. 
• Data Management:  Strong understanding of data management principles, data governance best practices, and data classification methods. 
• Business Intelligence:  Familiarity with BI tools and how data analysis can be leveraged for informed decision making. 
• Cloud Computing:  Understanding of cloud computing concepts, platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and their potential benefits for enterprise applications. 
• Digital Transformation:  Knowledge of digital transformation trends and strategies for optimizing business processes through technology. 
• IT Security:  Awareness of security best practices for data protection and application vulnerability management. 
• Industry Knowledge:  General understanding of the needs and operational challenges specific to the organization's divisions (government services, healthcare, gaming & hospitality).

Skills:

• Strategic Planning & Leadership:  Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive application strategy that aligns with the organization's    overall goals. 
• Team Management & Leadership:  Skills to lead and motivate a team of diverse technical specialists (Database Administrators, System Analysts, etc.). 
• Project Management:  Proficiency in project management methodologies for planning, executing, and monitoring application development and implementation efforts. 
• Technical Experience:  Strong understanding of various application technologies, databases, and data management tools. 
• Analytical Skills:  Ability to analyze data and user needs to identify opportunities for application improvement and automation. 
• Communication & Collaboration:  Must have excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with IT teams across departments (Security, Network Operations) and business stakeholders across different divisions. 
• Change Management:  Skills to effectively manage organizational change associated with application upgrades, cloud migration, and digital transformation initiatives needed.

Abilities:

• Problem-Solving:  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve complex challenges related to application functionality and data management. 
• Strategic Thinking:  Ability to think strategically and translate business needs into actionable application solutions. 
• Negotiation & Communication:  Excellent negotiation and communication skills to influence stakeholders, obtain buy-in for new applications, and manage vendor relationships. 
• Decision Making:  Ability to make sound decisions regarding application selection, upgrades, and cloud migration strategies. 
• Learning Agility:  Willingness to stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in data management, cloud computing, and application development. 
• Adaptability:  Ability to adjust to the unique needs of various divisions (government services, healthcare) and ensure application solutions effectively address diverse operational challenges. 
• Confidentiality:  Must maintain strict confidentiality of all tribal data and business operations. 

            Native American preferred.