Manager of DevOps Automation

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary of Job Scope and Expectations:

The Manager, DevOps Automation is responsible for the strategy, delivery, and ongoing maturity of this company’s infrastructure automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) capabilities. This role leads a team of DevOps Automation Engineers while serving as a hands‑on technical leader, ensuring enterprise infrastructure platforms are scalable, reliable, secure, and operationally efficient.

The position partners closely with Infrastructure, Cloud, Security, Application, and Operations teams to enable standardized automation across on‑premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. With a strong emphasis on automation tools, orchestration platforms, and automation governance, this role reduces operational toil, accelerates delivery, and improves platform stability. In addition, the role provides leadership and oversight for Active Directory and Microsoft 365 (O365) automation and operational excellence, ensuring identity and productivity platforms remain secure and resilient at enterprise scale.

This role demonstrates and reinforces this company’s Mission, Values, and Culture while enabling technology that supports this company’s guests, associates, and long‑term growth.

Essential functions:

The essential functions in this job description are not all-inclusive of this job’s duties and responsibilities. Reliable and dependable attendance is required.

Description

• Lead the design, implementation, and governance of enterprise DevOps automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions across data center, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Manage and mentor a team of DevOps Automation Engineers, setting technical standards, providing coaching, and developing talent for long‑term growth and succession.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for Ansible, including playbook design, role development, collections, and orchestration workflows.
• Own the platform strategy, configuration, and operational governance of Ansible Tower / AWX, ensuring secure access, reliable execution, and standardized usage.
• Establish reusable automation patterns for infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, patching, compliance, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security teams to embed automation into CI/CD pipelines, change workflows, and operational processes.
• Provide leadership and oversight for Active Directory (on‑prem and hybrid) and Microsoft 365 (O365) automation, operational hygiene, and platform stability.
• Ensure identity and productivity platforms meet enterprise security, compliance, and governance requirements.
• Define and track KPIs related to automation coverage, reliability, operational efficiency, and risk reduction.
• Drive operational excellence by reducing manual intervention, improving repeatability, and increasing auditability across infrastructure platforms.
• Evaluate new tools and technologies to improve automation maturity, standardization, and developer enablement.
• Produce and maintain documentation, standards, and reference architectures to enable consistent execution across teams.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in infrastructure, DevOps, systems engineering, or automation roles.
• Minimum 4+ Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and governing enterprise‑scale automation platforms.
• Minimum 3+ years of people leadership experience, preferably in a player‑coach capacity.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Ansible and orchestration tooling.
• Experience supporting hybrid infrastructure environments (on‑premises and cloud).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to model and reinforce this company’s Mission, Values, and Culture.
• Deep understanding of Infrastructure as Code principles, configuration management, and orchestration.
• Strong expertise with Linux systems (RHEL preferred) and enterprise infrastructure components.
• Working knowledge of Active Directory, identity lifecycle concepts, and hybrid identity models.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Intune) operational dependencies.
• Experience integrating automation into CI/CD pipelines and operational workflows.
• Understanding of security best practices, least privilege, and audit‑driven environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex, cross‑platform issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ability to influence across teams and leadership levels without direct authority.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and operational discipline.
• Ability to embrace change, continuous improvement, and emerging technologies.
• Leadership skills
• Relationship building skills applied internally and externally
• Strong technical installation skills
• Strong computer/technology skills and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong project and financial management skills
• Strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication (oral and written), listening, presentation, and facilitation skills
• Ability to foster and encourage diverse viewpoints
• Ability to assess professional and potential management talent
• Ability to influence others and facilitate process
• Ability to think strategically and build consensus
• Ability to serve as a role model within the IS department
• Ability to solve complex problems independently
• Ability to perform routine server maintenance or handle network emergencies
• Ability to work positively with other departments and Operations (“win/win”)
• Ability to embrace change and continuous learning

COMPETENCIES:

• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Motivating and Inspiring Others
• Building Effective Teams
• Caring about Direct Reports and Others
• Hiring and Staffing
• Command Skills
• Business Acumen
• Peer Relationships
• Self-Knowledge
• Presentation Skills
• Integrity and Trust

SUCCESS MEASURES:

• Enterprise automation platforms are reliable, secure, scalable, and well‑governed.
• Reduced operational toil and manual effort through effective automation.
• Stable and secure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 environments with minimal disruption.
• Increased automation coverage across infrastructure lifecycle processes.
• Successful delivery of automation initiatives on time and within budget.
• Improved operational consistency, compliance posture, and audit readiness.
• Positive feedback from Infrastructure, Cloud, Security, and Operations partners.
• Measurable contribution to this company’s overall technology maturity and operational excellence.
• High satisfaction from internal stakeholders and technology partners
• Positive contribution to this company’s technology maturity and innovation roadmap