DIRECTOR ENGINEERING - Project Management

Happiest Minds Technologies; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Happiest Minds Technologies in Bengaluru seeks a Director of Application Management Services with 16–20 years in IT services to lead the AMS practice. You will architect applications, manage lifecycles, and steer large outsourcing engagements across multiple customers.

The role emphasizes governance, transitions, and delivery excellence in an AI-first framework. You will drive modernization, establish KPIs, and partner with cross-functional teams to align strategy with business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience architecting applications and leading AMS.
• Experience managing large outsourcing and AMS deals.
• Strong program management for multi-tower engagements.
• Experience in transition management, governance, and operational excellence.
• Broad tech exposure across applications, infrastructure, ERP, data platforms, and legacy apps.
• Solid understanding of Agile and DevOps.
• Expertise in performance monitoring and optimization.
• Experience defining and governing SLAs and KPIs.
• Track record of portfolio takeover, modernization, and transformation.
• Experience adopting AI-first delivery to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AMS team, directing lifecycle management and service delivery.
• Architect scalable, secure applications aligned with business goals.
• Orchestrate large AMS engagements across customers and business units.
• Oversee transitions, knowledge transfer, governance, and stabilization.
• Establish governance, operational reviews, and executive communications.
• Drive portfolio rationalization, modernization, and transformation initiatives.
• Define and monitor SLAs, KPIs, and operational metrics.
• Champion AI-first delivery with GenAI, AIOps, and automation.
• Develop and maintain AMS processes and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align requirements with goals.
• Monitor performance and implement improvements for user experience.
• Manage vendor contracts and relationships for AMS tools.
• Develop budgets for AMS programs and ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Stay updated with industry trends to drive innovation.
• Provide mentorship and development for team members.

Skills

Application management

AMS leadership

Program management

Transition management

Governance & KPIs

multi-tower engagements

AI-first delivery

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelors in CS/IT

Masters preferred

Job description

Director of Application Management Services

Years of Experience: 16-20 Years

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Director of Application Management Services to lead our IT Services team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in architecting applications and managing application lifecycles. This role requires strategic vision, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of application management processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality IT services that meet business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the application management services team, providing direction and support to ensure effective application lifecycle management.
• Architect and design scalable, reliable, and secure applications that align with business objectives.
• Lead and orchestrate large-scale Application Management Services (AMS) and outsourcing engagements across multiple customers and business units.
• Oversee transition management activities, ensuring seamless application portfolio takeover, knowledge transfer, governance, and service stabilization.
• Establish and manage governance frameworks, operational reviews, and executive stakeholder communication for AMS engagements.
• Drive application portfolio rationalization, modernization, and transformation initiatives to improve business value and operational efficiency.
• Define, monitor, and manage Service Level Agreements (SLAs), KPIs, and operational metrics to ensure consistent service excellence.
• Promote an AI-first approach to application management by leveraging automation, GenAI, AIOps, and intelligent tooling to deliver year-on-year productivity improvements, cost optimization, and operational savings.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of application management processes and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define application requirements and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Monitor application performance and implement improvements to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts for application services and tools.
• Develop and manage budgets for application management services, ensuring cost-effective solutions.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation within the application management domain.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members.

Mandatory Skills

• Proven experience in architecting applications and leading application management services.
• Proven experience in leading and orchestrating large outsourcing and Application Management Services (AMS) deals.
• Strong Program Management capabilities with experience managing multi-tower engagements.
• Experience in Transition Management, Service Governance, and operational excellence.
• Broad technology experience across Applications, Infrastructure, ERP, Data platforms, and legacy application landscapes.
• Strong understanding of application development methodologies, including Agile and DevOps.
• Expertise in application performance monitoring and optimization techniques.
• Experience defining, managing, and governing SLAs, KPIs, and service delivery metrics.
• Demonstrated track record of application portfolio takeover, rationalization, modernization, and transformation initiatives.
• Experience adopting AI-first delivery models to improve productivity, optimize costs, and deliver year-on-year operational savings.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with cloud-based application architectures and services.
• Familiarity with ITIL and other IT service management frameworks.
• Knowledge of data management and integration strategies.
• Experience in managing large-scale application deployments.
• Exposure to AIOps, automation platforms, GenAI-driven IT operations, and intelligent service management.
• Certifications in relevant technologies or methodologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, PMP, ITIL).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 16-20 years of experience in IT services, with a focus on application management and architecture.
• Proven track record of successful project delivery, large AMS transformation programs, outsourcing engagements, and team leadership.

AMS, Practice Director, Practice Head, Application Management Services