IT Application Manager - AI Citizen Developer

About the Role

At Hensel Phelps, we don’t just build projects—we build careers, communities, and a culture of excellence. As an employee-owned company, every person here plays a vital role in shaping our success and future. Guided by our core values of Ownership, Integrity, Builder mindset, Diversity, and Community, we combine cutting-edge technology with hands-on expertise to deliver landmark projects across the nation. When you join Hensel Phelps, you join a team that values your growth, empowers your ideas, and invests in your journey. Together, we create an environment where innovation thrives, safety is paramount, and every individual has the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

The Citizen Development Platforms Manager is responsible for establishing, governing, and evolving the organization's portfolio of citizen development and AI-assisted application platforms, including tools such as Microsoft Scout, Lovable, and other emerging low-code/no-code technologies. This role ensures these platforms are secure, scalable, compliant, and aligned with enterprise architecture standards while enabling business users to rapidly create solutions that drive operational value. The Manager leads the strategy, administration, and adoption of these platforms, including platform governance, guardrails, training, support models, licensing, and vendor relationships. Working closely with business leaders, IT, cybersecurity, and data governance teams, this individual develops frameworks that empower citizen developers while mitigating risk and preventing application sprawl.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of IT strategies in collaboration with the executive team with specific focus on application utilization and adoption.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for application support, life cycle management, and project management.
• Conduct research (including feasibility studies, POC, pilot testing, etc. as required) and make recommendations to executive leadership on products, services, protocols, and standards in support of all business application procurement, deployment, and administration efforts.
• Collaborate with IT leadership and key stakeholders to establish service level agreements (SLA). Monitor, and manage service level agreements via Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to support business continuity and support.
• Analyze performance of commercial applications and documented resolutions, identify problem areas, and devise and deliver solutions to enhance quality of service and to prevent future problems.
• Review and analyze existing application effectiveness and efficiency to ensure they meet established business goals and objectives, and develop strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.
• Cultivate, maintain, and disseminate knowledge of application-usage best practices to ensure highest levels of adoption.
• Ensure role-appropriate end-user access requirements to mitigate security risks.
• Prepare budgets, in collaboration with department heads, regional stakeholders, and IT leaders as needed, for review by executive leadership; maintain accurate budget forecasts and manage expenditures, review and approve vendor invoices.
• Prepare RFPs, scopes of work, and negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors for products and services required to support business objectives.
• Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new product being considered to determine its intended functionality and ensure that it meets the specific business objectives.
• Oversee the planning, deployment, integration, and initial configuration of all new business applications and of any enhancements or upgrades to existing applications in accordance with standard best operating procedures and the enterprise’s documented policies and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate user communication, change management, and training initiatives.
• Collaborate with analysts, designers, and system owners in the testing of new solutions.
• Liaise with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies.
• Manage and provide direction for the application team in support of business operations.
• Liaise with network administrators and software engineers to assist with quality assurance, program logic, and data processing.
• Compile and maintain inventory of company software and systems assets and their corresponding contracts/agreements.
• Develop and communicate training and documentation for end users, hold clinics as necessary, and other user-related activities.
• Develop, distribute, and coordinate in-depth end-user reviews for modified and new systems or applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or 10+ years of large enterprise experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience managing the implementation and operations of enterprise-level applications in a variety of technology footprints including Windows and Linux.
• 5+ years of direct experience managing applications and/or systems management.
• Proven experience in overseeing the direction, development, and implementation of software solutions.
• Direct, hands-on experience with automated software management tools.
• Strong knowledge of system and software quality assurance best practices and methodologies.
• Extensive experience with core software applications, including Microsoft 365 & ServiceNow.
• Working knowledge of network and PC operating systems.
• Working knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and standards.
• Good project management skills and/or substantial exposure to project-based work structures.
• Excellent understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the business community.
• Ability to conduct and direct research into IT issues and products as required.
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
• Proven experience developing business cases and departmental budgets.
• Good business judgment.
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Proven analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Extensive experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Physical Requirements

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• The individual in this position will periodically walk, kneel, sit, crouch, reach, stoop, read/see, speak, push, pull, lift, stand, and finger/type. The frequency of each action varies by workflow and office activity.
• Walking: Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, boxes, cabinets, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, phone, computer, and computer printer.
• Frequently communicates with employees and external stakeholders regarding a variety of topics related to office administration.
• Constantly computes, analyzes, and conceptualizes mathematical calculations and formulas.
• Constantly reads written communications and views email submissions.
• Regularly sits in a stationary position in front of a computer screen.
• Visual acuity and ability to operate a vehicle as certified and appropriate.
• Rarely exposed to high and low temperatures.
• Rarely exposed to noisy environments and outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary Range: $103,000.00 - $114,000.00 USD.
• Company-paid medical insurance, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability.
• 401(K) retirement plan and health savings account (HSA) (HSA not available in Hawaii).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee-paid vision and dental insurance.
• Paid time off beginning upon hire.
• Annual bonus plan for project engineers and above, subject to company and employee performance.
• Company cell phone or cell phone allowance in accordance with company policy.
• Vehicle or vehicle allowance for project engineers and above in accordance with Hensel Phelps’ policies.
• Cost of living adjustment (COLA) based on position location (subject to periodic review and adjustment).