IT Services Manager (Deputy Program Manager)

As the IT Services Manager at Abacus Technology, you will oversee daily operations, providing guidance to a team of over 80 IT professionals. Your responsibilities will include quality control of communications, network, and data center services, monitoring program status, and resolving operational issues efficiently. You'll also be involved in project management, reporting progress to government clients, and maintaining effective client relationships.

To qualify for the IT Services Manager role at Abacus Technology, candidates should have 10+ years of experience in project or program management with a robust technical background. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is essential, along with Security+ certification or equivalent DoD 8570 compliance. Experience with DoD systems and military protocols is preferred, as is a current Top Secret security clearance.

Essential skills for the IT Services Manager position at Abacus Technology include exceptional written and oral communication abilities, strong leadership qualities, and effective prioritization skills. You should be comfortable providing direction to technical teams in an enterprise-level environment and possess the capability to motivate staff members and execute project tasks efficiently.

The IT Services Manager at Abacus Technology ensures successful project execution by organizing and directing contract support functions across multiple complex tasks. You'll actively monitor program schedules and costs, provide guidance to teams, and collaborate with clients and contractors to formulate and review task plans and deliverables, thus promoting alignment and effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle.

The work environment for the IT Services Manager at Abacus Technology is dynamic and collaborative. You'll work closely with a diverse team of IT professionals and engage with senior client stakeholders. The position involves managing tasks across multiple locations, maintaining high levels of communication, and addressing challenges promptly, making it an exciting and fast-paced role.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you’ve overseen, the size and composition of the teams, and your management style. Emphasize your ability to motivate and guide team members while ensuring project objectives are met. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to showcase your problem-solving skills.

Mention specific project management tools like Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project, and methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall. Explain how these tools help you keep track of project milestones, team collaboration, and ensuring timely delivery of project components, demonstrating your structured approach to management.

Discuss your prioritization strategy, emphasizing your ability to assess urgency and importance. You might describe using techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix or project management software to help keep tasks aligned with overall project goals. Provide an example that illustrates your method in action.

Share your conflict resolution strategy, focusing on communication and mediation techniques. Describe a past experience where you successfully resolved a conflict, highlighting your approach to maintaining team cohesion and ensuring productivity remains unaffected.

Highlight your proactive communication style, mentioning regular update meetings, written reports, and listening to stakeholder feedback. Explain how you tailor communication strategies based on stakeholder preferences, ensuring everyone stays informed and engaged through the project lifecycle.

Share a concise yet detailed story about a challenging project. Describe the obstacles faced, the action steps you took, and the ultimate results. This will showcase your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to deliver under pressure.

Discuss your experience with budget planning, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring projects stay within financial limits. Use concrete examples from your past roles where effective budget management led to successful project outcomes, demonstrating financial acumen.

Explain your familiarity with regulatory frameworks related to IT operations, particularly those relevant to the DoD environment. Discuss implementation strategies, compliance audits, and your approach to integrating these requirements into everyday operations, highlighting your attention to detail.

Share genuine motivations, such as seeing projects come to fruition, mentoring team members, or tackling complex IT challenges. Express your passion for technology and leadership within the field and how that drives your work ethic and commitment to team success.

Discuss your habits of continuous learning and professional development. This could include attending industry conferences, pursuing relevant certifications, subscribing to tech journals, or participating in online courses. Emphasize your commitment to staying updated to effectively lead your team.