Applications Programming Manager VBP

Zel Technologies LLC; Virginia Beach (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits and insurance

401k with company match

Performance bonuses

Educational assistance and training

Job summary

Zel Technologies is seeking an experienced Applications Programming Manager in Virginia Beach to lead development, support, and optimization of enterprise applications that power municipal operations. You will supervise application teams, coordinate cross‑departmental projects, and align systems with citywide strategic goals.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and a track record of delivering secure, reliable software in a complex public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field; OR 10+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience in application development, application support, or enterprise systems management.
• 2+ years of supervisory or project management experience.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, system integration, and software development practices.
• Experience managing technical teams and coordinating cross‑departmental projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise application developers, analysts, and support staff responsible for enterprise applications.
• Manage workload distribution, performance evaluations, and staff development.
• Foster a collaborative, customer‑focused culture within the applications support team.
• Oversee the design, development, testing, and deployment of application enhancements, integrations, and customizations.
• Ensure timely resolution of application issues, service requests, and escalations.
• Maintain application lifecycle management practices, including version control, documentation, and release planning.
• Ensure applications meet performance, reliability, and security standards.
• Lead application‑related projects, including planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
• Coordinate with city departments to gather requirements, define project scope, and ensure successful delivery.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service‑level expectations for application platforms and tools.
• Contribute to long‑term application strategy, modernization planning, and technology roadmaps.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, automate processes, and enhance user experience.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that support citywide innovation.
• Ensure applications comply with city policies, cybersecurity standards, and state/federal regulations.
• Support data governance practices, including data integrity, access controls, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to address vulnerabilities, risks, and system hardening needs.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Application architecture

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher / 10+ years experience

Job description

*This position is contingent upon contract award*

Work Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Onsite or Hybrid depending on department policy).

Job Summary:

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking an experienced and highly organized Applications Programming Manager to lead the development, support, and optimization of enterprise applications that power municipal operations. This role oversees application support teams, manages programming and configuration efforts, and ensures that city systems are reliable, secure, and aligned with departmental needs and citywide strategic goals.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and project leader who can balance technical oversight with stakeholder engagement, ensuring applications deliver high‑quality, efficient, and user‑centered services to the community.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and supervise application developers, analysts, and support staff responsible for enterprise applications.
• Manage workload distribution, performance evaluations, and staff development.
• Foster a collaborative, customer‑focused culture within the applications support team.

Application Development & Support Oversight

• Oversee the design, development, testing, and deployment of application enhancements, integrations, and customizations.
• Ensure timely resolution of application issues, service requests, and escalations.
• Maintain application lifecycle management practices, including version control, documentation, and release planning.
• Ensure applications meet performance, reliability, and security standards.
• Lead application‑related projects, including planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
• Coordinate with city departments to gather requirements, define project scope, and ensure successful delivery.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service‑level expectations for application platforms and tools.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to long‑term application strategy, modernization planning, and technology roadmaps.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, automate processes, and enhance user experience.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that support citywide innovation.

Governance, Compliance & Security

• Ensure applications comply with city policies, cybersecurity standards, and state/federal regulations.
• Support data governance practices, including data integrity, access controls, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to address vulnerabilities, risks, and system hardening needs.

Requirements:

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field; OR 10 or more years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• 5+ years of experience in application development, application support, or enterprise systems management.
• 2+ years of supervisory or project management experience.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, system integration, and software development practices.
• Experience managing technical teams and coordinating cross‑departmental projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in local government or public‑sector IT environments.
• Knowledge of municipal systems such as ERP platforms, permitting systems, HR/payroll systems, or public safety applications.
• Experience with cloud‑based application platforms, APIs, and workflow automation tools.
• Certifications such as PMP, ITIL, Scrum Master, or Microsoft/AWS certifications.
• Experience leading modernization, digital transformation, or legacy system replacement initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Technical Problem Solving
• Strategic & Systems Thinking

Physical Demands or Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance, vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

About ZelTech:

Founded in 1988 by Ret. Col. Jack L. Ezzell Jr., Zel Technologies is a trusted leader in national security, providing comprehensive research, development, engineering, and operational support to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies. Originally focused on leveraging operational and software expertise to improve time‑critical targeting capabilities for the military, the company advanced its capabilities to provide scientific and HUMINT expertise for CBRNE collection and analysis. In the wake of 9/11, Zel Technologies rapidly expanded its capabilities to provide turnkey ISR support services to US Special Operations Forces (SOF), as well as advanced technical & operational intelligence, physical & data science, and engineering support services to the greater Intelligence and SOF Communities supporting global counterterrorism and CWMD operations.

Today, Zel Technologies remains at the forefront of intelligence missions, advancing CWMD and global counterterrorism efforts, while also addressing emerging threats posed by near-peer adversaries. Our team remains committed to delivering adaptive, innovative, and cost-effective solutions across multiple domains, in alignment with the mission priorities of the U.S. Government and its partner nations.

Our Mission:

Through our commitment to innovation and quality, our skilled teams deliver robust, technology driven solutions and insights that empower our customers to overcome complex challenges and achieve their mission objectives.

Our Workforce:

ZelTech team members represent a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experience, and personalities bound together by common objectives and mutual respect. You will join a caring community of professionals, including manymilitary veterans who challenge and support each other in seeking the right solutions to important matters.

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k immediate vesting with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonuses for performance
• Educational assistance and special training programs
• Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)
• Group life insurance (Company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (Company paid)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave
• Health and fitness reimbursement
• Employee discounts on various services and products

ZelTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.