Application Manager

Application Manager

What will you do?

The Application Manager role is a role within the SAFe structure and is specifically intended to bring technical oversight and governance to the applications being developed and supported in the release train, line management of the technical staff in the self-coordinating squads within the release train and management of the operational processes associated with applications. The Application Manager is a trusted partner to the business Product Manager(s), the Release Train Engineer(s) and the Lean Service Management Lead, listening to the business needs, advising on the technology impacts of business decisions and explaining the business value/risk reduction associated with technical deliverables.

What will make you successful in this role?

Release Train Responsibilities & Technical Collaboration
Act as Epic Owner for Key Technical Initiatives & Epics for the applications in their portfolio.
Negotiate capacity allocation for Local Context technical deliverables with Product Managers and the RTE.
Define Release Strategy for large technology changes by collaborating with the necessary release train stakeholders.
Collaborate with the Business Product Managers/Product Owners to clarify the Business Value of technical Epics & Features.
Collaborate with the Business Product Managers/Product Owners to clarify the Technology Impact of key product and process changes.
Facilitate Early Prioritization for Technology Portfolio backlog with the inputs from IT leadership, architecture CoE, SME services, WOWSS Lead, RTE’s, Infrastructure Product Owners and Audit & Compliance.
Identify enabler epics to Automate & Shift-left Compliance & Non-functional Requirements.
Facilitate Discovery and Elaboration for key technology epics and features and ensure that application Impact, high level sizing, business benefits, time criticality and cost of delay parameters are identified
Identify the required enabler epics, enabler features and spikes to complete impact assessment and product and technology choices for defining predictable roadmaps for Large Technology Epics
Participate in Joint Business Prioritization process, agree on capacity allocation and ensure that Technical Epics and Features are ranked correctly in the backlog.
Support RTE and squads in PI Planning, Pre-PI Planning and Post-PI Planning activities focusing on Technology Epics
Establish Ownership for newly identified components and applications by Collaborating
Technical Strategy Coordination
IT General Controls Coordination for Applications under management
Technical Budget Control
IT Technical Reporting

Qualification and Experience

Appropriate Technical Post Matric 3-year qualification in Information Systems or Engineering.
Management training would be beneficial.
5+ Years of experience in managing software development & Support teams.
10+ Years of IT experience in general.
5+ Years of demonstratable experience regarding enterprise application ownership.
Experience on Sanlam systems, including legacy systems will be beneficial.

Knowledge and Skills

Clear understanding of Scaled Agile for Enterprise & the philosophies that guide it.
Clear understanding of Lean Service Management practices.
Significant understanding of DevSecOps and modern engineering practices.
Working knowledge of translating architecture solutions into workable with Technology Leadership, Product Owners/Product Managers and RTE’s.

Core Competencies

Extensive Knowledge of Application Architecture.
Significant knowledge of Microsoft and Open Systems technology.
Strong collaborator who can achieve objectives through facilitation & influence.
Communicates Effectively (Oral & in writing)
Able to bridge the divide between technical and business stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

Effective at building partnerships
Analytical with an eye to enhance systems and processes
Willing to influence the thinking of stakeholders
Comfortable having to collaborate with various role-players
Able to maintain performance under pressure
Effective leadership skills