Information Technology & Business Applications Manager

HillDay Public Relations, Inc. is seeking a full-time, in-house Information Technology & Business Applications Manager to lead the management, development, maintenance, and continued improvement of the company’s technology environment, business applications, and digital platforms.

HillDay is a growing Houston-based professional services firm with approximately 30 employees. Our work relies heavily on technology to support public relations, public engagement, supplier diversity, contract compliance, creative services, project documentation, data management, analytics, and client service.

This position is broader than a traditional information technology management role. HillDay is seeking a hands-on technology professional who can manage the company’s IT infrastructure while also providing technical leadership for its websites, databases, business applications and proprietary technology platform, EPITOME.

EPITOME is HillDay’s proprietary engagement, project management and analytics platform used to support public engagement programs, project documentation, stakeholder information, reporting and client-facing activities. The successful candidate will be expected to understand the platform’s architecture, manage its ongoing operation, work directly with developers when needed, troubleshoot issues, support enhancements, and help guide the platform’s continued development.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in programming, web development, database management, CRM or business application management, system integrations, and technology operations. This position requires someone who can move comfortably between hands-on technical work, application management, infrastructure oversight, vendor management, and business strategy.

The Information Technology & Business Applications Manager will report to the Senior Vice President of Supplier Diversity and Compliance.

Key Responsibilities

The Information Technology & Business Applications Manager will be responsible for HillDay’s day-to-day technology operations as well as the development, management, and continued enhancement of the company’s business applications and digital platforms.

Responsibilities include:

1. Serve as the primary internal technology resource responsible for the reliability, security, performance, and continued improvement of HillDay’s technology systems.
2. Manage, maintain, and troubleshoot the company’s existing technology infrastructure, applications, websites, databases, digital platforms, and cloud-based systems.
3. Provide technical oversight and day-to-day management of HillDay’s proprietary EPITOME platform, including system functionality, user access, troubleshooting, testing, enhancements, documentation and ongoing development.
4. Evaluate EPITOME business requirements and translate operational needs into technical requirements, system enhancements, dashboards, automated workflows, reports, and new functionality.
5. Perform hands-on programming and application development as appropriate and determine when specialized development resources or outside vendors are required.
6. Develop, modify, maintain and troubleshoot web-based applications and websites using technologies such as HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, Python, Laravel, Node.js and related development tools.
7. Support both front-end and back-end web development, including functionality, usability, performance, and integration with databases and third-party applications.
8. Manage and maintain MySQL databases, including database tables, queries, data integrity, performance, troubleshooting and application connectivity.
9. Develop, maintain and troubleshoot APIs and integrations between HillDay systems, websites, databases, business applications and third-party technology platforms.
10. Support the design, customization, administration and continued improvement of CRM, project management, stakeholder engagement or other business technology platforms.
11. Maintain source code repositories and development workflows using Git, GitHub and related version-control practices.
12. Manage application testing, quality assurance, troubleshooting, bug resolution, system updates and deployment processes.
13. Establish and maintain documentation for applications, databases, APIs, source code, system architecture, workflows, access protocols, technical procedures and recurring processes.
14. Manage Microsoft 365 administration, including users, groups, permissions, licenses, email, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams.
15. Maintain and troubleshoot web hosting environments, domains, DNS settings, cPanel, CRON jobs, SSL certificates, cloud hosting services and related tools.
16. Support network infrastructure, including routers, switches, VPNs, firewalls, wireless connectivity and related technology needs.
17. Implement and monitor cybersecurity best practices, including user permissions, multifactor authentication, backups, vulnerability monitoring, endpoint security, access controls and data protection.
18. Manage user accounts and technology access throughout the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, role changes and employee separations.
19. Coordinate and manage programmers, web developers, technology vendors, hosting providers, consultants and other specialized technical resources.
20. Develop technical scopes, specifications and requirements for outside developers and vendors and evaluate completed work for functionality, security, quality and adherence to HillDay’s business requirements.
21. Identify opportunities to improve business processes through technology, automation, system integrations and digital workflows.
22. Evaluate and support the responsible use of artificial intelligence, large language models and automation technologies to improve productivity, research, reporting, communications and internal business operations.
23. Work with company leadership and department managers to identify technology needs and recommend practical solutions that support business objectives.
24. Monitor technology performance, risks, licenses, subscriptions, security requirements and system capacity to support HillDay’s continued growth.
25. Communicate technical issues, recommendations, risks, and project status clearly to executives, managers, and non-technical employees.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate both traditional IT management capabilities and hands-on experience with application and web technologies.

Required qualifications include:

1. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, management information systems, software development, or a closely related field.
2. Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in information technology, application development, web development, systems administration, business applications, technology operations, or a closely related field.
3. Demonstrated hands-on programming or software development experience.
4. Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, or significantly modifying websites or web-based applications.
5. Experience working with both front-end and back-end web technologies.
6. Experience developing, administering, customizing, or managing a CRM, project management platform, stakeholder management system, enterprise application, or comparable business technology platform.
7. Experience supporting or managing a custom-developed or proprietary software application throughout its lifecycle.
8. Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, Python and MySQL or comparable programming and development technologies.
9. Experience with relational databases, including database management, queries, data integrity and application connectivity.
10. Experience developing, managing or troubleshooting APIs and system integrations.
11. Experience with application testing, troubleshooting, deployment, upgrades and ongoing system maintenance.
12. Experience managing programmers, developers, technology consultants or software vendors.
13. Experience translating business requirements into technical specifications and system functionality.
14. Strong understanding of cybersecurity practices, including authentication, access controls, backups, vulnerability monitoring and data security.
15. Experience with Microsoft 365 tenant administration, including Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams.
16. Experience managing web hosting environments, domains, DNS, SSL certificates, cPanel, CRON jobs and cloud-based hosting services.
17. Knowledge of networking infrastructure, including routers, switches, VPNs and firewalls.
18. Ability to develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architecture, workflows, processes, code changes, integrations and access protocols.
19. Ability to communicate effectively with executives, managers, creative professionals, project teams, compliance staff and employees with varying levels of technical knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

1. Experience with Laravel, Node.js, Git and GitHub.
2. Advanced experience with PHP, JavaScript, Python, MySQL or comparable development technologies.
3. Experience designing or managing dashboards, reporting platforms, client portals, or workflow automation systems.
4. Experience with CRM customization, application development, or enterprise business systems.
5. Experience with UI/UX design principles and responsive web design.
6. Experience managing cloud-based infrastructure and application hosting.
7. Knowledge of FedRAMP, TxRAMP, SOC 2, or comparable security and compliance standards.
8. Professional certifications or specialized training in cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 administration, cloud infrastructure, database management, software development, or application architecture.
9. Experience evaluating or implementing artificial intelligence, large language models, or automation technology in a business environment.
10. Experience supporting technology within public relations, public engagement, government contracting, infrastructure, construction, compliance, or professional services organizations.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technology professional who understands both IT infrastructure and business application development.

This individual should be equally comfortable troubleshooting a technical issue, reviewing source code, examining a database, working with a web application, defining requirements for a developer, managing a technology vendor, or explaining a technology recommendation to company leadership.

The successful candidate should be able to assess an existing application, understand how it works, identify problems and opportunities for improvement, and determine the appropriate approach for implementing enhancements.

HillDay is seeking a candidate with demonstrated experience in programming, web development, databases, and business applications. Experience limited primarily to help desk support, hardware management, network administration, or Microsoft 365 administration will not, by itself, meet the requirements of this position.

The successful candidate should also demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Sound technical judgment
• Attention to detail
• Accountability and responsiveness
• Strong project and time management skills
• Professional discretion
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to document technical work thoroughly
• A service-oriented approach to supporting employees and clients
• An interest in identifying new ways technology can improve business operations

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this full-time, in-house position is $90,000 to $105,000 annually, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated technical ability.

HillDay Public Relations offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Eligibility for an annual business performance bonus of up to 7 percent
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match of up to 6 percent
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid time off and holidays in accordance with company policy
• Free covered parking

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-house position based in Houston, Texas.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HillDay Public Relations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. The company values professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and respect. It is committed to maintaining a workplace where employees can contribute their skills and experience in support of HillDay’s clients, projects, and business operations.