Assistant Manager of Enterprise Architecture - Information Technology Services

About the role

Information Technology Services (ITS), the central IT provider at the University at Albany, seeks an Assistant Manager of Enterprise Architecture to lead and manage the daily operations of the Enterprise Architecture group. This is a management and operations oversight role in support of the group rather than a technical role. The Assistant Manager coordinates staff assignments, ensures timely handling of tickets and project tasks, and confirms standards and governance processes are consistently applied in everyday work.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage direct reports:
  • Provide day-to-day supervision of EA staff, including regular one-on-ones, workload review, coaching, and task follow-up.
  • Monitor EA work queues, assign work, follow up on aging items, and escalate stalled work to the Associate Director.
  • Confirm that staff enter timely and accurate updates in line with ITS work management policies and procedures.
  • Provide guidance, support, and performance feedback to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's mission.
  • Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
  • Complete performance management feedback and goals timely and per requirements, offering constructive feedback and developing improvement plans.
• Coordinate resources and assignments of the group:
  • Coordinate staff assignments for projects, Non-Standard Requests, Technology Risk and Compliance (TRC) requests, ARB reviews, consultations, and operational service requests.
  • Balance competing demands and bring major priority conflicts to the Associate Director early.
  • Serve as project manager for assigned EA initiatives.
• Manage selected EA-led or operational projects from intake through completion:
  • Monitor active projects to confirm Technical Leads are engaged, providing meaningful updates, and driving progress.
• Produce operational reporting:
  • Report on workload, ticket aging, ARB activity, assignments, and staff capacity.
  • Provide a current view of EA throughput and capacity to support planning and prioritization.
• Facilitate the Architecture Review Board (ARB):
  • Prepare agendas, run readiness checks, capture meeting notes, track action items, and complete routine follow-up.
  • Ensure ARB decisions are documented and communicated to the staff responsible for carrying them out.
  • Support the Associate Director, who retains ARB ownership and final architecture decision-making authority.
• Support standards, governance, and strategic priorities:
  • Coordinate reviews of architecture and documentation standards and track updates through to completion.
  • Confirm that approved standards and governance processes are applied in daily EA work.
  • Coordinate staff involvement in strategic initiatives such as AI adoption, cloud adoption, and Student Information System modernization.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional And Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to: Associate Director of Enterprise Architecture
• Supervises the following positions: Sr. Systems Architects and Systems Architects

Job Requirements

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and retain staff.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly grasp complex business processes.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from campus leadership to front-line staff.
• Proficiency in project management concepts and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of information technology trends, emerging technologies, and their application in higher education settings.
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision and within a team environment.
• Ability to produce meaningful metrics, dashboards, and executive-level reporting on team performance and project outcomes.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple and changing priorities, ensuring timely delivery, high quality, and attention to detail.
• Ability to engage with customers to analyze, document, and translate business requirements into effective technical designs, workflows, business processes, and specifications.
• Familiarity with service management and work management practices and tools.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • A Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
  • At least five years of full time professional experience in information technology.
  • At least two years of professional supervisory experience.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
  • Experience working in a university or similarly complex organization.

Working Environment

• Typical office environment.
• Available to provide scheduled support and consultation outside normal business hours, including occasional evenings, holidays, or weekends, within reasonable professional obligation and expectation.
• Must report to campus in-person on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and as needed.
• This position is eligible to telecommute on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with supervisory approval, following a probationary period to be determined by the supervisor.