Applications Support Director at CohnReznick in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

As CohnReznick grows, so do our career opportunities. As one of the nation's top Professional Services and Business Advisory firms, we foster teams in Advisory, Assurance, and Tax services that value innovation and collaboration in everything they do!



YOUR TEAM.



We currently have an exciting career opportunity for a Applications Support Director to join the Information Technology Team in a remote capacity.



CohnReznick is a hybrid firm and most of our professionals are located within a commutable distance to one of our offices. This position is considered remote which means it does not require job duties be performed within proximity of a CohnReznick office location. However, as a remote employee, you may be required to be present at a CohnReznick office with scheduled notice for client work, team meetings, or trainings.


We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Application Support to join our Information Technology team. Reporting directly to the Head of Infrastructure, Data and Operations, this role will be instrumental in shaping the future of our application management and support strategies. The successful candidate will lead a global team responsible for maintaining and optimizing our diverse application estate, ensuring high availability, performance, and user satisfaction across all business-critical platforms.



WHY COHNREZNICK?



At CohnReznick, we're united by a common mission to create opportunity, value, and trust for our clients, our people, and our communities. Whether it's working alongside your peers to solve a client challenge, or volunteering together at the local food bank, there are so many ways to find your "why" at the firm.


We believe it's important to balance work with everyday life - and make time for enjoyment and fun. We invest in a robust Total Rewards package that includes everything from generous PTO, a flexible work environment, expanded parental leave, extensive learning & development, and even paid time off for employees to volunteer.



YOUR ROLE.




Responsibilities include but not limited to:




Strategic Leadership and Innovation

• Collaborate with the Head Of Infrastructure, Data and Operations to develop and execute a comprehensive global application management strategy aligned with CohnReznick's business goals.


• Drive technological innovation and digital transformation initiatives to enhance client services and optimize internal processes.


• Evaluate emerging technologies and their potential impact on the firm, recommending strategic investments and partnerships.


• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement within the application support teams.

Application Portfolio Management

• Oversee the global application estate, including commercial, custom-built, and cloud-based applications.


• Develop and maintain a comprehensive application catalog, working with business units to rationalize the portfolio and eliminate redundancies.


• Drive standardization of general-purpose products across the firm for collaboration, communications, and other core functions.


• Ensure all applications adhere to architectural standards and align with the firm's technology roadmap.

Operational Excellence and Service Delivery

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and scalable IT services across all business-critical applications.


• Implement and maintain ITIL best practices for application support and service management.


• Develop and implement robust monitoring and measurement tools and processes for the application estate.


• Lead incident management efforts, ensuring timely resolution of issues and conducting thorough root cause analyses to prevent future occurrences.


• Implement automation strategies to improve efficiency in application management and support processes.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing global application support team.


• Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment that promotes knowledge sharing and continuous learning.


• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the technical and soft skills of team members.


• Ensure all team members adhere to operational standards, policies, and best practices.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Partner with executive leadership and business units to understand their needs and translate them into effective technology solutions.


• Develop and maintain service level agreements (SLAs) with business units, ensuring alignment of IT services with business expectations.


• Communicate application management strategies and initiatives to stakeholders at all levels, ensuring alignment and support.


• Manage relationships with key vendors and third-party service providers.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Collaborate with the GRC and IT Security teams to ensure all applications meet security and compliance requirements.


• Develop and maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans for critical applications.


• Ensure timely completion of risk reviews, security assessments, and remediation plans for all applications.

Financial Management

• Manage the application support budget effectively, making informed decisions on resource allocation and technology investments.


• Work with the Finance Department to perform financial analysis on significant purchases and implement best practices for technology transactions.


• Optimize software licensing and vendor contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness.

YOUR EXPERIENCE.




The successful candidate will have:

• Master's/Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.


• Minimum of 12 years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a proven track record of managing applications on a global level in a large, complex organization.


• Deep expertise in IT infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and enterprise applications.


• Strong knowledge of ITIL frameworks and best practices in IT service management.


• Experience with critical enterprise platforms such as SAP, ServiceNow, Microsoft SQL Server, and O365/Teams/Exchange.


• Proficiency in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT.


• Strong understanding of DevSecOps principles and Agile methodologies.


• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, TOGAF) are highly desirable.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.


• Strong leadership abilities with a proven track record of building and motivating high-performing teams.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.


• Demonstrated ability to manage change and drive digital transformation initiatives.


• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.


• Visionary mindset with a passion for leveraging technology to drive business growth.


• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Application availability and performance metrics


• User satisfaction scores for application support services


• Incident resolution times and first-call resolution rates


• Progress on application portfolio rationalization initiatives


• Successful implementation of innovation and transformation projects


• Team performance and development metrics


• Adherence to budgets and cost optimization targets

Interaction with Other Functions



The Head of Application Support will work closely with:

• Head Of Infrastructure, Data and Operations and other IT leadership to align application strategies with overall IT objectives


• Business unit leaders to understand their needs and ensure application support meets business requirements


• Enterprise Development teams to ensure seamless integration between development and support functions


• IT Security and GRC teams to maintain application security and compliance


• Finance department for budget management and vendor contract negotiations


• Human Resources for team development and talent acquisition

Studies have shown that we are less likely to apply to jobs unless we meet every single qualification. At CohnReznick, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.


CohnReznick is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive team to drive business results and create a better future every day for our team members, clients, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. For more information, please see Equal Employment Opportunity Posters.


If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at CRaccommodation@CohnReznick.com. Please note: This email address is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and are not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.


CohnReznick does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are currently engaged by CohnReznick Talent Acquisition Team by way of a written agreement to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that CohnReznick will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.


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