**Specialized Infrastructure Manager** **JOB SUMMARY:** This position is responsible for providing vision, direction, leadership, oversight and management for the Specialized Infrastructure organization. Specialized Infrastructure is responsible for strategy, architecture, design, engineering, implementation, lifecycle management, consulting and 24x7 support for specialized infrastructure. This includes: + Network technology – LAN and WAN switches and routers, including OSPF, BGP, MPLS and SD-WAN + Computing technology – Windows, Linux, and UNIX servers and hardware, VMware virtualization, storage, backups + Database technology – Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle RDBMS + Products such as Active Directory and various infrastructure management tools + Compliance with NERC CIP, TSA SD2, and SOX regulations, as well as internal policies, standards, and requirements + Integration with cybersecurity infrastructure Specialized Infrastructure has these responsibilities in environments where the operational business units across Southern Company (primarily Power Delivery, Commercial Operations, and GAS) seek technology services from the Technology Organization, such as with operational technology (OT) environments, real-time SCADA systems, and control centers. The most important responsibility for this position is preserving and strengthening trust, credibility, positive working relationships, and effective partnerships with our OT business partners, control centers, and Operations Compliance, as well as with Technology Security, Technology Risk & Compliance, Electric Technology Solutions and Gas Technology Solutions. The Specialized Infrastructure Manager reports to the Director of Infrastructure Solutions, with four direct reports (three leaders and one architect), and organizational responsibility for approximately 35 technology professionals across various geographic locations. **Job Requirements** + Partners with business leaders across the organization and works closely with business partner account executives to ensure that infrastructure technology resources and strategies are aligned to current and future needs of the business. + Applies strong leadership and broad, strategic thinking to a diverse set of opportunities and challenges, serving as a true strategic partner and business enabler. + Establishes and maintains excellent working relationships and partnerships with senior leadership throughout the enterprise, industry peers and groups, government entities and external vendors and suppliers. + Emphasizes reliability and resilience. Ensures the organization is extremely responsive to the critical 24x7 uptime needs of the business, such as carefully planning changes to avoid downtime, restoring service quickly when unexpected outages occur, and proactively communicating changes and incidents to relevant business partners. + Provides leadership for critical strategic initiatives that increase reliability, reduce risk, and fully executes on business initiatives. + Consults with business partners on matters related to the use and implementation of all infrastructure technologies and processes. + Understands company policies and relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley, FERC Separation Protocol, NERC CIP, and TSA Security Directive 2). Ensures the organization achieves and maintains compliance. + Drives and manages continuous improvement of organizational responsibilities. + Identifies and resolves obstacles that prevent the organization from being as effective as it can be + Develops infrastructure solutions that are common where possible and custom where it counts. + Drives innovation and leverages technology to create value. + Provides cost-effective management, rationalization and simplification of the company’s infrastructure technologies, processes, systems, and projects. + Enforces appropriate technology policies, best practices, processes, lifecycle management, and program and project management. + Assesses the impact of infrastructure changes and quantifies the risk in order to ensure the appropriate business decisions are made. + Acts as a student of the business and technology, anticipating futures needs and directional shifts in both technology and energy industries. + Continuously monitors and evaluates the operating model and supporting organizational design to identify efficiencies and synergies and ensure efficient resource allocation. + Creates an organizational budget and manages financial performance. + Hires, develops, rewards and retains a highly qualified and diverse team. + Creates an environment that fosters accountability, innovation and engagement at all levels. + Establishes him/herself as a thought leader and integral part of the Infrastructure Services leadership team. **Education** + Degree required; BS/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field. **Experience and Knowledge** + Ten or more years of experience with technology (IT and/or OT), with at least 5 years of experience managing multiple, medium-to-large-sized and cross-functional teams and managing complex multimillion dollar budgets. Management of technology infrastructure is preferred. + Experience working with Operational Technology (OT) is required. Prefer experience from an electric/gas utility, but OT experience in water, oil, transportation, manufacturing, or other industries also acceptable. + Experience complying with regulatory requirements such as Sarbanes-Oxley or NERC CIP is strongly desired. + Strong understanding of data networks, cybersecurity, and servers is needed. Familiarity expected with mechanical and electrical data center infrastructure, telecommunications, data storage and backup, application integration, and databases. **Skills** + Ability to equip the organization with the appropriate technology, skills and processes to support the transforming industry and business. + Exhibits transformational leadership skills with a proven track record of challenging the status quo. + Outstanding credibility and demonstrated ability to build strong relationships within the company and industry, as well as with vendors/suppliers. + Team player with a collaborative approach to drive solutions for the good of Southern Company. + Change management capabilities, including the ability to lead and manage through change. Should be recognized as a change agent. + Knowledgeable about current and future technology trends with the ability to scout and deploy industry-changing technology. + Demonstrated ability to influence senior-level management and key stakeholders and lead through influence. + Proven ability to drive efficiency through effective technology management, rationalization and simplification of the company’s technology portfolio, systems and projects. + Ability to operate successfully in a regulated environment with an understanding and appreciation of risk, compliance, corporate policy and procedures, internal controls and regulatory requirements. + Demonstrated ability to connect the dots and apply sound business judgement. + Ability to attract top talent and build high-performing teams. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop employees. Recognized as an outstanding people manager with the ability to delegate responsibility effectively, the individual’s business values should align with Southern Company’s values. + Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate very complex technical topics to various audiences ranging from technical staff to executive management. + Excellent customer service skills that exhibit initiative and follow-through to meet customer commitments. + Flexible, can work under stress with changing direction and with minimal supervision. + Self-motivated, takes initiative, is proactive, and habitually removes obstacles for success. + The ability to interpret financial reports, build and manage an organizational budget and apply sound business and financial principles. **Location** + Candidates in the Birmingham, AL, area are strongly preferred. Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com . Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process. Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law. Job Identification: 10302 Job Category: Information Technology Job Schedule: Full time Company: Southern Company Services