Principal, IT Operations 1
The Principal, IT Operations 1 is a senior technical authority responsible for shaping enterprise-wide IT operational strategy and driving large-scale infrastructure initiatives across DIRECTV 's technology organization. This role serves as a recognized subject matter expert, providing strategic direction on complex, high-impact operational programs while acting as a key advisor to senior leadership and cross-organizational stakeholders. The Principal, IT Operations 1 operates with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgment on ambiguous and precedent-setting issues, and plays a pivotal role in setting technical direction, governance standards, and long-term operational roadmaps that support DIRECTV 's broader business and technology strategy.
This position owns strategic operational programs, setting organizational standards, and influencing decisions at a departmental or enterprise level.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Provide overall management, strategic direction, administrative support, and communication for long-term disaster recovery implementation projects.
- Conduct Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk assessments to identify recovery gaps and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Partner with application owners and technical teams to develop, document, and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- Serve as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, infrastructure teams, and application teams to support disaster recovery readiness.
- Defines and drives enterprise-level operational strategy, translating business goals into multi-year technology roadmaps and infrastructure investment plans.
- Leads large-scale, cross-functional programs and initiatives with significant organizational visibility, often spanning multiple teams, departments, or business units.
- Serves as principal technical advisor to senior management and executive stakeholders, providing recommendations on infrastructure architecture, operational risk, and technology investment decisions.
- Establishes and governs operational standards, policies, and best practices that guide IT operations across the organization.
- Evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends, assessing their applicability and potential impact on DIRECTV 's infrastructure strategy.
- Oversees vendor and partner strategy at a program level, negotiating terms, setting performance expectations, and ensuring alignment with long-term operational goals.
- Leads root-cause analysis and resolution for high-severity, high-visibility operational issues that carry significant business risk.
- Champions continuous improvement initiatives, identifying systemic inefficiencies and architecting scalable solutions that improve reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
- Mentors and develops senior and mid-level engineers and IT operations staff, fostering technical growth and succession planning across the team.
- Collaborates extensively with architecture, engineering, security, and business teams to ensure operational readiness for new initiatives and product launches.
- Represents IT Operations in governance forums, steering committees, and strategic planning sessions.
- Anticipates future operational needs and proactively identifies risks, gaps, or opportunities before they impact the business.
What you’ll need to be successful:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree or relevant industry certifications preferred.
- Recognized subject matter expert with deep, authoritative knowledge of DIRECTV technologies, systems, and IT infrastructure.
- Proven track record of leading large-scale, complex technology programs from strategy through execution.
- 3 – 5 years of progressive experience in IT operations, infrastructure, or a related technical discipline, with demonstrated growth into strategic leadership.
- Exceptional communication and executive presence, with t