IT Director, AppDev Security

Location(s)Birmingham AL, Jacksonville FL**Details**_Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers.

Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day.

We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive.

Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs.

By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises._Kemper is seeking an IT leader with experience in secure application development practices for a Director role in our Birmingham, AL or Jacksonville, FL offices.

The IT Director will manage a number of departments, having a significant impact on the company’s objectives and results.

Provides quality, timely and cost-effective IT services in support of the company mission and strategies.

Provides leadership in coordinating IT resources and projects with customers, vendors and other IT areas.Position Responsibilities:+ Manages an effective and efficient staff:+ Establishes and communicates function strategies and objectives; conducts performance appraisals.+ Recommends/approves salary actions, transfers and dismissals.+ Manages overall operations and staff in the function and recommends, when necessary, changes in methods, procedures, structure, and additions or changes in personnel to secure optimum utilization of resources.+ Coaches and develops direct reports and ensures that employees within the function are counseled with respect to educational and job opportunities that will enhance their career development, and keeps staff informed of current problems, changes, and new developments in the function, IT and the company by conducting periodic meetings.+ Manages the administration of all company policies and procedures; communicates to staff, interprets, as necessary, and ensures compliance.+ Manages the administration and implementation of changes on an ongoing basis to improve productivity, including the most efficient use of automation.+ Monitors work productivity in the function, reports on trends and recommends and implements changes to continually improve work productivity.+ Develops subordinate managers, particularly in the management techniques of planning, organizing, leading and controlling through continued coaching and feedback on performance.+ Ensures that the team provides quality, timely and cost-effective service in support of IT strategies and the company’s goals and objectives.+ Manages and prioritizes the work of the team and ensures that projects meet the business needs of customers.+ Participates in the development of and monitors progress of the area plan and one-year objectives.+ Develops, and when approved, administers the team budget; controls expenses accordingly.+ Approves expenditures and salaries within authority level and assures that proper alternatives are considered for all purchases within limits of authority.+ Administers all IT policies and procedures and monitors proper control procedures for compliance with all company policies and service standards.+ Monitors team operations, recommending changes in structure and staff size to ensure that the team effectively and efficiently utilizes both capital and human resources.+ Monitors employee morale within the team and takes steps to maintain or improve, as necessary.+ Ensures the communication of the IT Mission and Philosophies; promotes and sustains continuous improvement by serving as a role model.+ Maintains general technical and business knowledge within areas of responsibility and initiates research and other special studies within limits of authority.+ Monitors industry, business, and technological trends and offerings.

Evaluates competitors’ use of technology and recommends strategic directions for IT and the company.+ Represents the company to insurance and other industry groups.

Monitors vendor performance; interfaces with vendors and suppliers, and negotiates and recommends contracts to coordinate acquisition of resources or services.+ Monitors workplace and work practices to ensure safe office conditions and makes recommendations and/or changes as necessary.+ Keeps management informed verbally and in writing of activities and problems within assigned areas of responsibility.

Refers matters beyond limits of authority and expertise to management for direction.+ Performs other related duties as required or requested.Position Qualifications:+ Education equivalent to a college degree in computer science or related field, or the equivalent in related work experience.+ Five or more years of experience in information technology and insurance, demonstrating knowledge of IT organizations and management.

Demonstrates knowledge of information processing support and the ability to integrate into a well-performing team.+ Prior experience working with software development teams on the mediation of security vulnerabilities+ Setting up and building a course of training around secure application development practices+ Experience researching and providing solutions during security events+ Understanding of OWASP vulnerabilities+ Previous experience using static code analysis tools+ Building out incident response playbooks and responses+ Understanding of basic data protection methodologies including data loss prevention+ Demonstrates the ability to manage technical and organizational change.

Demonstrates excellent leadership qualities in managing a staff of professional employees.+ Demonstrates the ability to manage projects involving planning, coordinating and controlling.+ Requires strong leadership, project management and analytical skills.+ Requires strong verbal, written, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills with a team-oriented approach.+ Strong working knowledge of insurance applications and technical platforms.+ Broad technical knowledge of systems operations, systems design, testing and implementation methods.+ Broad knowledge of current information technology covering various platforms._Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination.__Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies.

All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee._**#LI-PB1**