Digital Engineering Senior Manager

Overview

Manages the activities and strategic direction of the Digital Engineering department, including indirectly managing several diverse types of Technology operations and/or support function teams. Responsible for the budget of multiple cost centers spanning concurrent development streams. Provides long and short-term strategic direction for cloud-native platform and application engineering, with a focus on building and operating systems at scale. Serves as primary contact to Divisional peers, Technology leadership team, Management Group and business partners. Oversees development and career planning for all team members.

Technical Focus Areas

Cloud infrastructure and architecture at scale on Azure, including AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service)

Service mesh and edge/ingress traffic management with Istio and Envoy

Policy-as-code and fine-grained authorization using Open Policy Agent (OPA) Relational data platforms, primarily PostgreSQL

API Gateway design and management for internal and external service exposure

Application development in Java, .NET, and C#

Strong grounding in software architecture principles - able to evaluate and guide system design trade-offs, not just implementation

Comfortable operating and directing work autonomously, with minimal need for day-to-day oversight

Applying Generative AI and agentic software development practices (e.g. AI-assisted coding, autonomous coding agents) to accelerate delivery and improve engineering quality

Running delivery through Agile and Kanban workflows, tailoring ceremonies and flow metrics to team and program needs

Primary Responsibilities

Direct and participate in consults with client management in the analysis of short and long-range business requirements of the largest and/or most complex nature and recommend innovations that anticipate future impact of changing business requirements. Build positive client relationships to support the delivery of these activities.

Monitor technology direction of the industry and vendor applications specific to cloud platforms, service mesh, and API management. Manage supporting research and initiation of change to the status quo, when necessary, to ensure implementation of appropriate technologies. Manage vendor/product analyses and recommendations to ensure delivery of the most appropriate end product based on available resources, inclusive of budget. Develop and manage multiple cost center budgets. Provide senior level leadership to multiple application development, support testing efforts, technology infrastructure/project management and/or other technology domains. Manage Technology department(s) and responsible for all financial, compliance, human resources and risk operations within the departments.

Direct systems development activities of assigned teams, including assignment of staff to various projects and ensure their timely completion within budget. Coordinate activities with other managers as required to support efforts of mutual interest.

Manage the implementation of technology consistent with Division standards and long-range plans, seeking opportunities to leverage cloud-native patterns across other teams as applicable. Ensure activities managed adhere to all Department and Technology standards and procedures, including all documentation requirements to protect Bank interests and serve as a reference source.

Manage and ensure the recommendation of systems designs based on business and technology requirements, with particular attention to architectural soundness, scalability, and security. Manage identification of issues and concerns throughout the process and ensure they are investigated and resolved.

Manage monitoring of project plans of assigned teams to ensure they remain on track; identify and address significant issues that may result in delays. Remain current on activities outside assigned teams that may impact activities of the teams or systems managed.

Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities

Oversees a team where the majority of employees are Software Engineers, Cloud/Platform Engineers, Business Systems Analysts, Scrum Masters, Technology Supervisors, Team Leads, Managers, and/or other similar roles in Technology.

Supervisory / Managerial Responsibilities

20-50

Education and Experience Required

A combined minimum of 13 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 4 years’ technology or systems experience and 9 years’ technology management / program leadership experience including people management

Hands-on or oversight-level experience with Azure and AKS at production scale

Working knowledge of service mesh and proxy technologies (Istio, Envoy) and policy engines (Open Policy Agent)

Familiarity with Postgres and API Gateway patterns

Background in Java, .NET, or C# development

Solid understanding of software architecture and system design trade-offs

Exposure to GenAI and agentic software development tooling and practices

Experience leading teams using Agile and Kanban methodologies

Capable of working on multiple projects of a complex nature

Experience on large system enhancements, conversions, and production problem resolution

Complete understanding of the system development life cycle

Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Prior experience encouraging teamwork and serving as a role model when leading and directing others

Understanding of technical, business and operational impacts of a project or problem

Confidence in leading multiple teams often in different geographic locations and time zones, and operating autonomously with limited direct oversight

Prior experience presenting to senior management

Education and Experience Preferred

Master’s degree

Minimum of 12 years’ technology management or large program leadership experience

Deep, hands-on experience architecting and operating large-scale cloud systems on Azure/AKS with service mesh and policy-as-code

Subject Matter Expert understanding of applications supported with an advanced knowledge of interfacing/integrated applications

Understanding of multiple business areas’ functions

Proven mentoring and leadership capabilities from a project management perspective

Good understanding of the Bank’s application framework

Aware of the Bank’s business plan and strategic objectives with ability to shape direction

Mastered knowledge and focus of the entire system and support projects outside of normal business-as-usual (BAU)

Self-motivated and able to motivate others

We support our team members with generous benefits.

o Competitive compensation

o Health, welfare, and retirement benefits

o 401(k) match at 5%

o Work-life balance and flexible work arrangements

o Banking Officers start with 25 days PTO plus 12 paid holidays

o 40 hours paid volunteer hours per year

o Much more. For details, see: M&T Benefits Overview

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $167,600.00 - $279,400.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America