Sr Manager - IT App Dev, Operations & Reliability

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Description

United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.

Job overview and responsibilities

This role is a critical leadership position responsible for delivering best in class operations and reliability across the Digital Technology Operations and Safety organization. You will be a hands-on leader, partnering closely with teams across DT Tech Ops and collaborating with SRE focused architects and engineering teams to establish and enforce standards for reliability, observability, and operational stability across mission critical domains, including Maintenance & Repair, Supply Chain, Maintenance Execution, Planning, Engineering, and Safety.

In addition, this manger role serves as the organizational portfolio management anchor for large-scale, cross cutting initiatives within DT Tech Ops. You and your team will drive strategic initiatives forward in a consistent and disciplined manner leveraging key performance indicators and leading portfolios that include - but are not limited to - Cybersecurity, API modernization, Agentic AI and MRO platform modernization.

• 
  Leadership and Team Management:
  • Deep understanding of how to grow an environment focused on SRE principles, observability, and production operations
  • Proven ability to align and drive execution across multiple directors, domains, and platforms without relying on authority alone
  • Translating strategy into disciplined execution across large, complex, crosscutting portfolios
  • Strong ability to define, interpret, and act on KPIs, SLOs, and SLAs to drive measurable outcomes and continuous improvement
  • Experience leading and prioritizing multiple concurrent initiatives helping others balance speed, risk, and operational stability
  • Experience building, mentoring, and leading high performing teams, setting clear expectations and accountability
  • Comfortable making and standing behind decisions in high stakes, operationally sensitive environments
• Communication and Stakeholder Management:
  • Provide clear, executive ready updates on digital focused operational KPIs, risks, and action plans, translating complex information into actionable insights
  • Serve as the primary communication and coordination point for enterprise-wide change, portfolio health, and execution across Digital Technology Operations and Safety leadership
  • Partner with Directors and senior stakeholders to align priorities, manage dependencies, and drive decision making across horizontal initiatives
  • Lead escalation and resolution of cross organizational blockers, balancing delivery speed, risk, and operational stability
• Budgeting and Resource Management:
  • Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation to support strategic initiatives and operational needs
  • Track and report on key performance metrics, making data-driving decisions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the team
• Strategic IT Planning and Execution:
  • Translate strategic priorities into integrated roadmaps and execution plans
  • Drive cross director alignment and sequencing of large horizontal initiatives, managing dependencies, capacity constraints, and execution of tradeoffs across a complex, matrixed organization
  • Ensure strategic initiatives are executed with operational discipline, balancing modernization, change velocity, and system stability
  • Partner with senior leadership to shape investment strategy and capital planning, including identification, governance, and tracking of capitalizable work at an organizational level

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree
• Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or another related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Proven experience leading and developing a team, with a strong focus on leadership, mentorship, and team development
• Experience navigating matrixed environments with multiple priorities and deliverables to help multiple teams align and deliver on commitments
• Advanced technical and business knowledge in software development life cycle, quality assurance, project management, and other related disciplines/processes
• Leadership experience managing a team across multiple domains or projects and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• A mindset for continuous learning and staying updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices
• Well-versed in Agile development and requirements management processes
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree
• Experience with leading large scale technical transformation efforts
• Experience with Mainframe systems
• 3+ years of Application development (.Net, Java, or other modern language)
• 3+ years working with Kong, Cloud and SaaS
• Understanding of system architecture principles
• Experience managing applications for aviation safety, business continuity, corporate medical safety, etc
• Experience with Business Continuity software

The base pay range for this role is $140,600.00 to $183,108.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.


You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.


United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected]