Senior Systems Manager

Overview

The Senior Systems Manager leads strategy, delivery, and operational excellence for an assigned portfolio of enterprise-level systems. The role serves as a senior mentor and advisor to Systems Managers and analysts, helping strengthen team capability through guidance, knowledge sharing, and influence. The Senior Systems Manager partners with System Managers and business leaders to shape multi-year system roadmaps and is accountable for the performance, security, compliance, and total cost of ownership of assigned systems. This role provides strategic recommendations to business and technology leaders and serves as a key contributor to enterprise-wide initiatives.

Job Duties

Defines and owns the multi-year strategic roadmap for a portfolio in partnership with the Manager, Enterprise Systems and IT leadership, while ensuring alignment with Sun’s corporate strategy, operating plan, and capital priorities. (Essential)

Partners with senior business leaders and executive sponsors to shape system vision, prioritize features, and secure enterprise-wide buy-in amid competing demands. (Essential)

Provides technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to Systems Managers, analysts, and external delivery partners; supports knowledge sharing and consistent practices without formal people-management responsibility. (Essential)

Owns the availability, performance, security, and compliance posture of assigned systems; serves as the senior escalation point for major incidents and business disruptions. (Essential)

Leads complex, cross-system implementations, upgrades, migrations, and integrations spanning multiple business units and vendor ecosystems. (Essential)

Directs system assessments, security audits, and risk reviews for assigned systems; defines remediation plans and partners with stakeholders to ensure timely closure of findings. (Essential)

Demonstrates deep, cross-functional understanding of Sun’s business processes and the enterprise technology architecture and uses that knowledge to influence design decisions. (Essential)

Develops, promotes, and helps maintain governance, standards, and architectural guardrails for system documentation, configuration management, change control, and operational support.

Oversees acquisition, disposition, and conversion activities for assigned systems, including integration and system rationalization.

Manages senior-level vendor relationships and participates in business reviews; holds partners accountable to service level agreements (SLAs), roadmaps, and contractual commitments.

Maintains authoritative system records, contract details, renewal calendars, and support escalation paths for the assigned portfolio.

Evaluates emerging technologies, including AI, automation, and cloud-native capabilities; builds the business cases and supports adoption of high-value innovations.

Partners with leadership across Finance, Operations, Legal, and Information Security to recommend and implement technology solutions that meet organizational, regulatory, and compliance standards.

Ensures effective IT controls design and operation across assigned systems; serves as a key point of contact for internal and external auditors on SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) and other audit engagements related to assigned systems.

Contributes to Innovation & Technology discussions on cross-functional steering committees and enterprise governance forums.

Other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or related field (Required)

7 years in experience in enterprise systems management, including design, implementation, and maintenance (Required)

5 years in experience in product ownership, system administration, or system support (Required)

2 years in experience mentoring technical staff, influencing peers, or leading vendor delivery teams (Required)

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Proven ability to manage a portfolio of competing priorities and lead concurrent, large-scale implementation and upgrade programs

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with executive-level judgment and attention to detail

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to executive audiences

Deep knowledge of configuration management, integration patterns, and enterprise support best practices

Strong understanding of IT security principles, IT general controls (ITGC), SOX compliance, access controls, and data protection requirements

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build consensus across diverse teams and senior stakeholders

Strong negotiation, presentation, and executive reporting skills

Demonstrated ability to take initiative, embrace ambiguity, and lead through change

BENEFITS

At Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry-leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high priority on our team members, and this is a big part of what sets us apart. We will ask you to give us your very best every day, and will challenge you with interesting work, stretch assignments, a collaborative and supportive work environment and plenty of learning and growth. In exchange, we will reward you with great pay, advancement opportunities, paid time off, great benefits, and flexibility.

Comprehensive Medical and Prescription coverage with 4 plan options so you can choose the plan that best meets the needs of you and your family

Comprehensive Dental and Vision Plans

On-Site Fitness Center

Voluntary Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance and Dependent Life

Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage

401(k) Plan with Sun matching contribution

Employee Assistance Program

Identity Theft Insurance

Legal Assistance Plan

Pet Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement program providing financial support to team members who further their formal education

Vacation RV Site Discounts for team members when visiting Sun resorts across the nation

Team Member Perks & Discounts program with hundreds of discounts on things like travel, merchandise, mobile phone service, and more

Up to six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child, adoption, or placement of a child

Paid Time Off including ten holidays, vacation, personal, sick time, bereavement and pay for jury duty

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