Director of Application Development

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it. We help protect our customers against life's uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you'll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

The Director of Application Development will work as part of the Dynamics team under the direction of the Senior Director of Application Development. This strategic leadership role will oversee the design, development, and implementation of custom applications and solutions built on the Microsoft Dynamics platform, driving digital transformation and business process optimization across the organization. It is expected that this person will be able to apply an in-depth understanding of business dynamics and how the Microsoft Dynamics platform integrates within the organization. Additionally, this individual will be expected to know and enforce industry best practices while achieving objectives.

This person is responsible for overseeing multiple application development team members, improving systems, planning and executing long-term strategies and initiatives, as well as maintaining data across a wide range of technologies for both business and technical systems. This person will manage the day-to-day performance of subordinate staff to ensure that all project and department milestones and goals are met and align with overall company objectives. The goal is to optimize each team member's contribution, drive the team forward in accomplishing IT goals, and ensure the team's direction aligns with the overall business strategy. This will be achieved by facilitating quarterly goal setting, conducting frequent one-on-one and team meetings, and utilizing any other necessary means.

In addition to managing and mentoring the team, the individual in this role must collaborate with product owners to comprehend business requirements and provide the necessary resources to facilitate progress towards a desired future state. This position is responsible for contributing to continuous process improvements within IT and must exert influence both internally and externally, including senior division executives, vendors, or regulators. The individual must excel at building and nurturing highly effective teams and adapting processes for application development, release management, low code tasks, and testing. Furthermore, the person must demonstrate the ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment, as well as develop and refine processes to maximize team effectiveness.

This position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and organizational skills. The candidate must meet deadlines and demonstrate leadership among peers and direct reports. Excellent communication is necessary for effective collaboration with both internal and external parties. The candidate should be inquisitive, detail-oriented, responsible, and capable of independent work and strategic decision-making.

Job Responsibilities

• People Management
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Dynamics developers, solution architects, and technical specialists
• Establish development standards, coding guidelines, and quality assurance processes specific to Dynamics environments
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the Dynamics development team
• Manage resource allocation and capacity planning for multiple concurrent Dynamics projects
• Understand how to implement the company's initiatives at a team and individual level.
• Develop, implement and / or refine team metrics to continuously improve and move the team forward.
• Monitor performance, conduct performance reviews and develop / maintain development plans for each employee.
• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute comprehensive application development strategies aligned with business objectives and Dynamics platform capabilities
• Lead cross-functional teams in delivering complex Dynamics solutions, including customizations, integrations, and extensions
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define technology roadmaps and investment priorities for Dynamics applications
• Drive innovation and best practices in Dynamics development methodologies and architectural patterns
• Technical Oversight
• Oversee the architecture and design of scalable Dynamics solutions across D365, Power Platform, and related Microsoft technologies
• Ensure adherence to Microsoft best practices, security standards, and compliance requirements
• Guide technical decision-making for complex integrations with third-party systems and legacy applications
• Stay current with Microsoft Dynamics product updates, new features, and emerging capabilities
• Project and Program Management
• Lead enterprise-level Dynamics implementation and upgrade projects from conception to deployment
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into technical specifications
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring quality and performance standards
• Coordinate with vendors, consultants, and Microsoft partners as needed
• Business Partnership
• Work closely with business units to understand operational needs and identify opportunities for Dynamics-based solutions
• Help translate business requirements into technical solutions that leverage Dynamics capabilities effectively
• Provide technical expertise and guidance during business process reengineering initiatives
• Support change management and user adoption strategies for new Dynamics applications
• Licensing and Compliance Management
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Dynamics licensing models, user types, and compliance requirements
• Optimize licensing costs by analyzing user needs and recommending appropriate license types across the organization
• Ensure compliance with Microsoft licensing terms and conditions for all Dynamics deployments and customizations

Work Experience, Education, Certification / Training Required :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required :

Protective's targeted salary range for this position is $99,000 to $151,000. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective's total compensation package for employees.

This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance. Employee Benefits : We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work / life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits ( e.g. , paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective's platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company's benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability : If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.