Systems Section Manager at State of Maine in Augusta, Maine

Systems Section ManagerThe Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) Office of Information Technology (MaineIT) provides information technology support to over 13,000 employees. MaineIT oversees large scale enterprise applications that support the critical and diverse business needs of the State of Maine and its agencies. MaineIT is seeking an experienced Systems Section Manager who exemplifies MaineIT's C.A.R.E. values:Customer-focus - Actively listens and ensures partner needs are understood and metAccountability - Demonstrates transparency, ownership, and integrity in all actionsResponsiveness - Provides timely follow-up and proactive communicationEmpathy - Applies emotional intelligence, respect, and support in all interactionsThis is professional services work of a managerial nature in directing and overseeing the activities of a major section within the Bureau of Information Services. Responsibilities focus on planning and managing the activities of a major section within the Bureau in the areas of Operations, Systems Analysis and Programming, Systems Software, Systems Security, or Telecommunications. Supervision is exercised over a staff composed of professional, technical, and support personnel. Work is performed under administrative direction. The Systems Section Manager position is crucial in the management of personnel, communication, and collaboration between project, operations, vendors, and testing teams for MaineIT DHHS Application Development and Support. MaineIT DHHS Application Development provides services for some of the State of Maine's most at-risk populations including those utilizing MaineCare, SNAP, TANF, GA, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder services, family eligibility determinations, Drug Courts, and Children's Behavioral Health services. This position manages the team leaders whose teams provide IT systems support for the agencies and offices within DHHS. HYBRID WORK OPPORTUNITY: The employee in this position currently has the opportunity to work from home as much as 90% of the time. There is a requirement that the employee be in the office at least once every two weeks and remote work must be performed in a location inside the State of Maine.This role requires an experienced IT professional who seeks to be an effective technology leader, not a hands-on-technical lead. We seek a candidate who will manage, develop, and encourage their teams to use critical thinking to identify and resolve issues, apply consistency to best practices, and foster an environment of collaboration to address areas that require change. This position works collaboratively with other leaders to strengthen and modernize business processes by applying strong technical knowledge, public-sector IT governance awareness, and service-focused decision-making. The role emphasizes building effective relationships across agencies, vendors, and MaineIT by modeling clear communication, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, and promoting best practices in technology and service delivery. The Systems Section Manager provides guidance and coaching to team leaders who serve as key relationship managers, supporting them in navigating competing priorities, resolving operational issues, and improving the performance and maturity of MaineIT's application development and operational teams.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Understanding of public-sector IT governance, compliance, procurement rules, and enterprise architecture standardsStrong familiarity with vendor management practices, contract terms, service level agreements (SLAs), performance monitoring, and escalation proceduresKnowledge of customer relationship management principles, especially in multi-agency technology environmentsAwareness of cybersecurity, data privacy laws, accessibility standards, and state-level security protocolsKnowledge of IT service delivery, operational workflows, and software development lifecycle management (SDLC) across complex enterprise systemsUnderstanding of organizational change management and cross-agency communication dynamicsSkill in guiding team leaders who serve as technical leads and relationship managers, ensuring consistent communication, priority alignment, and stakeholder satisfactionSkill in negotiating with vendors and agency partners to balance technical needs, timelines, and contractual obligationsSkill in conflict resolution, especially in balancing competing priorities between agencies, vendors, and internal ITSkill in analyzing operational data, identifying service trends, and translating insights into actionable improvementsSkill in presenting complex technical issues in clear, plain language to non-technical audiencesSkill in coordinating collaborative planning sessions, requirements gathering, and multi-stakeholder decision-makingAbility to build and maintain positive, trust-based relationships with vendors, agency program leaders, MaineIT staff and partnersAbility to oversee and coach team leaders, developing their maturity in technical leadership, relationship management and issue resolutionAbility to manage multiple concurrent initiatives, shifting resources as priorities change across agenciesAbility to anticipate operational risks or service delivery disruptions and implement mitigation strategiesAbility to ensure alignment of agency needs with enterprise standards, security expectations, and governance processesAbility to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, communication, and continuous service improvementWhat Will You Do?Lead day-to-day operations by coordinating closely with operational support, testing teams, vendors, project management, and agency stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of technology servicesServe as a Program Sponsor, leading enterprise-wide programs and initiatives by establishing strategic direction, promoting stakeholder alignment, managing risks, and ensuring adherence to enterprise governance, security, and technology standardsAct as a strategic partner to program leaders by actively understanding their goals, challenges, and operational priorities; guide them in forecasting technology needs and planning budgets that align with enterprise standardsOversee section-level budgeting, technology planning, and resource prioritization, supporting senior leadership in making informed, data-driven decisions about systems, services, and investment strategiesEnsure services meet agency expectations by monitoring delivery performance, resolving service barriers quickly, and maintaining strong communication between agencies, vendors, and MaineITMentor team leads and staff to strengthen their ability to manage relationships, communicate proactively, and apply "big-picture" thinking that balances operational realities with strategic objectivesEvaluate business requests and Use Cases to coach team leaders on how to develop clear, actionable functional requirements, including accurate cost, risk, and timeline considerationsParticipate in code and feature reviews, requirements walk-throughs, design discussions, feasibility assessments, and quality checkpoints to support well-designed, secure, and sustainable systemsEstablish training expectations, professional standards, and performance goals; empower team leads to conduct timely and meaningful performance reviews that support continuous developmentEnsure compliance with all applicable human resources policies, including ADA/EEO, classification rules, performance management requirements, security and confidentiality standards, workplace safety expectations, and contract administration guidelinesMinimum Qualifications: Ten (10) years data processing/telecommunication system experience including at least six (6) years experience in the appropriate area of specialization and two (2) years of supervisory/ managerial experience -OR- a related Bachelors Degree and 6 years data processing/telecommunication system experience including at least four (4) years experience in the appropriate area of specialization and two (2) years of supervisory/ managerial experience -OR- a related Masters Degree and four (4) years data processing/telecommunication system experience including at least two (2) years experience in the appropriate area of specialization and two (2) years of supervisory/ managerial experience.Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.Contact Information: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.Benefits of Working for the State of Maine: No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:Work-Life Balance - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium