At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.
As a D&IT Infrastructure Director at Polaris, this role has direct leadership accountability over: Global Service Desk and On-site Client Support Teams (spanning across our global corporate and operations footprint). The Director will lead a ~50 person geographically diverse team delivering multi-platform technology support across Service Desk and End User Technology. In addition, the Director will strategically lead as the Digital Product Leader, overseeing the vision and advancement of D&IT’s Service Management systems, including the ServiceNow application, to enhance automation, business process maturity, and cost-effectiveness.. This role will report directly into our VP, IT Infrastructure, Quality & Ops and reside on the infrastructure senior leadership team.
This role requires the ability to focus on the bigger picture by applying the right mix of operational discipline to systematize routine practices and clear hurdles to enable the Digital & Information Technology (D&IT) organization to thrive/perform under the best possible circumstances. You will be accountable to ensure proper global support coverage, manage and build a high performing team, execute and report on critical KPIs that ensure efficient and agile operational performance, and oversee the budget for the resources/work in your space. This role will also serve as the project leader for large-scale Infrastructure enhancements, upgrades and go-lives across our global footprint, including partnership with Corporate Facilities/EHS&S for delivery of corporate initiatives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Planning and Leadership:
Develops and maintains portfolio of IT Service Management policies and operating procedures
Accountable for standard Senior D&IT report-outs: Operating Review, Exec MOR, ITOM, Long-range planning, financial budget planning and forecast updates, and project reviews, as applicable
Translates strategy into efficient and effective goals and operating plans
Recommends SLAs to internal stakeholders, solicits approval, and adheres to approved SLAs on all components of service delivery
Develops and owns the Service Management systems roadmap, including ServiceNow capability long-range plan and strategic improvements. Partners with Service Desk manager and broader D&IT team to drive automation deliverables and plan and execute work strategies
Operations Management:
Works across Infrastructure leadership team to establish processes and policies to build a high-performing organization while ensuring efficient and effective business outcomes
Drives CoE governance structure in partnership with IT Business partners and IT delivery teams including dashboards, standards and metrics
Manages IT infrastructure and supports purchases, agreements, and vendor relationships to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with company goals
Leads with a continuous improvement mentality, set goals for your teams to drive process improvements, and provide metrics to confirm the ROI
Prioritizes department requests and oversees their direct report management team to ensure that schedules and work plans are developed and managed for projects and operational tasks, and that the team delivers to their commitments.
Delivers actions and initiatives associated with control and compliance objectives
Implements solutions to prevent, detect, and remediate information security and internal compliance risks
Team Management:
Empower and support your direct report management team to efficiently and effectively lead their functional/regional span and scope
Manages Infrastructure team members with responsibilities including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, safety compliance, and performance management
Ensures global team is right-sized with experienced, motivated, and highly technical employees
Proactive management of career advancement and development opportunities for global team
Be a representation of Polaris values and maintain standards across the team
Project & Financial Management:
Plans, Manages and Executes Projects within your Department within timelines and budget
Manages OPEX and Capital budgets within your department
Drive establishment and adherence to Project Management methodologies across the Infrastructure team
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, MIS, Computer Science, Industrial Design, Business, or other technical related fields
15+ years of progressive IT infrastructure experience; both technical depth and proven leadership
7+ years of dynamic IT infrastructure leadership experience, managing leaders and individual contributors across core areas of infrastructure, ideally within global service desk and on-site client support teams spanning production/operation sites and corporate offices
Direct experience and/or oversight across these technologies or similar: ServiceNow, Jira, Kanban, Microsoft Teams strongly preferred
Proven process and operations mindset; establish and drive outcomes to critical KPIs, comprehensive process and policy foundation
Ability to take charge and orchestrate work, facilitate decisions, and collaborate with infrastructure leadership to drive the actions necessary to achieve desired results
Strong leadership, customer focus and analytical skills with outstanding written and oral communication skills
Ability to lead, collaborate, influence, and coordinate activities in a cross functional, team-oriented environment to deliver technology applications or technical products
Demonstrated ability to understand and discuss infrastructure concepts, manage trade-offs and evaluate opportunistic new ideas with internal and external partners
Demonstrated results showing ability to thrive in a growth-driven and fast-paced organization
Role based out of Medina, MN. Hybrid working model (in office/WFH). Onsite schedule based on business need
Travel to Polaris locations up to 25% (domestic and Int’l)
#LI-CS99
We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE. Apply today!
At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
EEO Statement
Polaris is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.