JOB SUMMARY:

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager position is responsible for overseeing the critical messaging and conferencing environments used by the enterprise. The toolset is largely Microsoft based and includes Microsoft Exchange (online and on-prem), Outlook, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams Room Systems, Proofpoint, and RightFax. The position manages 10-15 employees or contract staff responsible for the architecture, engineering and 3rd level support of the product set managed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

B.S. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business, or another related field, is preferred.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager should have extensive knowledge of technology-related disciplines, with a strong focus on collaboration products, including Microsoft 365. They must be knowledgeable about current and emerging relevant industry-related products, techniques, and trends.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager should have a positive attitude, strong focus on quality and strive to enhance the technology experience of our business partners. They should be open to challenging the status quo for the betterment of the business and the services provided.

The primary focus of this role is to provide collaboration technology solutions and services, while keeping in mind the importance of delivering excellent business value. The Messaging and Conferencing Manager should stay informed about the market and adjust solution sets as needed to ensure Southern Company is maximizing the value of its technology investments and expenses. This includes evaluating new product releases for compatibility with our environment.

Our technology suppliers are a vital part of our technology ecosystem and must be fully leveraged. The Messaging and Conferencing Manager needs to be able to both negotiate with our vendor partners and hold them accountable for the service level quality to which they are contractually committed. They should be able to interface with technology vendors to define roadmaps, escalate issues, and solve complex problems.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager must understand basic budgetary principles and techniques, being able to distinguish, plan, and oversee capital and operating budgets. Knowledge of the Microsoft Renewal process and/or experience with Microsoft contract negotiations is a plus.

Knowledge of security protocols, standards and best practices related to messaging and conferencing environments.

Experience creating, planning, and executing a strategic technology roadmap.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager leads the teams responsible for architecting, engineering, and integrating our email, messaging, and conferencing environments. This position has ownership of the delivery of email services (routing, security, application integration, etc.) as well as Teams conference room systems. Technologies include MS Teams, Teams Room Systems, Exchange (online and on-prem), Outlook, MS 365, Proofpoint, and RightFax. This team evaluates products for enterprise adoption and evaluates existing product changes for adoption and environmental impact. Constant vendor-driven and environmental change requires strong leadership to evaluate opportunities and avoid issues on an ongoing basis. Additionally, it requires the Messaging and Conferencing Manger to maintain technical currency.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager is expected to continually analyze demand against capability, compared to costs, and make recommendations to stretch our technology dollars further.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager is expected to stay abreast of business needs/changes, along with emerging trends, techniques, or solutions pertaining to the collaboration technology space. They should be strategic, someone who can look ahead and create long-range vision, strategies, roadmaps, and plans. When business needs arise for new capabilities or unplanned demand, the Messaging and Conferencing Manager is expected to respond quickly and effectively. This requires continuous evaluation of demand and reprioritization of work based on ever-changing business dynamics.

The position must also develop and maintain strong relationships with key technology managers within Workplace Solutions, Infrastructure, Security, and Compliance. Collaboration tools include communication components that require a cross-functional partnership to manage. This position works especially closely with the Productivity Technologies Manager to collaboratively manage the Microsoft 365 collaborative suite and other select applications. Developing and maintaining a strong cross functional team across Messaging and Productivity is crucial.

Managing our vendor or supplier partners is a vital element of the Messaging and Conferencing Manager role. Negotiating best pricing, along with holding our supplier partners accountable for delivering quality solutions based on committed timeframes, requires a constant focus.

It is vital that our business partners are knowledgeable and informed on the effective use of our available technology. The Messaging and Conferencing Manager is responsible for providing education to business partners across the company on how to use their technology, and to provide instructions to other partner groups, such as the Workplace Support teams on how to support the technology.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager is responsible for attracting, developing, retaining, and managing a diverse group of technical individual contributors. In this role, they have responsibility for hiring, performance management, terminations and for providing daily work direction, feedback and coaching to their direct reports. They are also responsible for workforce planning for their organization and for appropriately identifying and developing successors for key roles within their team.

The Messaging and Conferencing Manager is responsible for managing the department's budget and controlling technology spending. They must ensure financial accountability for any projects sponsored by the department.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 4650

Job Category: Information Technology

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services