Sr. Manager, IT Disaster Recovery

IT Disaster Recovery Senior Manager - Miami, FL

The IT Disaster Recovery Senior Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity in the event of a disruption. This role leads the planning, testing, and execution of recovery procedures, while aligning closely with broader business continuity (BC) objectives. The Senior Manager works cross-functionally with IT teams, business units, and external partners to mitigate risk, ensure operational resilience, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop a high-performing team through hiring, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and ensure team members have the tools and support needed to succeed.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning while reinforcing company values and compliance standards.

Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

• Serve as a key liaison between internal stakeholders, senior leadership, and vendors.
• Deliver clear, concise updates through reports and presentations, addressing risks, issues, and progress in a timely manner.

Vendor & Third-Party Oversight

• Manage vendor relationships, ensuring contract compliance, timely invoicing, and accountability for deliverables.
• Integrate third-party services into internal processes while maintaining alignment with company culture and standards.

Budgeting & Strategic Planning

• Develop and manage departmental and project budgets, forecasts, and procurement activities.
• Collaborate on long-term strategic planning and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Program & Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional initiatives, define objectives, allocate resources, and ensure successful delivery of strategic projects.
• Support teams and stakeholders to achieve business outcomes and maximize return on investment.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure disaster recovery systems and processes meet security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Embed proactive security measures into planning and execution, and respond effectively to incidents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with technology teams to align recovery plans, accelerate delivery, and optimize platforms and costs.

Disaster Recovery Planning & Execution

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve disaster recovery plans and procedures.
• Lead testing efforts, including tabletop exercises and simulations, and implement improvements based on results.
• Track program effectiveness through metrics and reporting, and deliver training to increase organizational awareness.

Business Continuity Alignment

• Conduct risk assessments and business impact analyses to identify critical functions and ensure recovery strategies align with business needs.

Incident Response & Recovery Management

• Lead the response to disaster events, ensuring clear communication and coordination throughout.
• Oversee recovery efforts, conduct post-incident reviews, and update plans based on lessons learned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience (required)
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline (preferred)
• 8+ years of experience leading the development, testing, and maintenance of disaster recovery and business continuity programs within large enterprise environments
• Proven expertise in DR/BC frameworks, methodologies, and technologies
• Extensive experience with cloud-based and hybrid disaster recovery solutions
• Strong background in vendor management, including developing SOWs and ensuring accountability for deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to create, document, and execute technology strategies aligned with business objectives
• Experience overseeing IT operations, including performance measurement, SLA adherence, quality improvement, and incident reduction
• Track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex initiatives
• 8+ years of experience managing technical staff across on-site, nearshore, and offshore teams
• Proven success in planning and executing large-scale technology initiatives
• 5+ years of experience managing budgets, monitoring expenses, authorizing payments, and overseeing procurement
• Experience in the cruise or travel industry (1+ years preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, systems, and applications, and their alignment with business processes
• Strong knowledge of risk management practices and business impact analysis methodologies
• Familiarity with business domains and the systems supporting specific portfolios
• Understanding of cybersecurity incident response and its integration with disaster recovery strategies
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX
• Proven ability to lead teams through shifting priorities and tight deadlines
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented, with strong business acumen
• Skilled in managing complex projects, prioritizing workloads, and delivering results through others
• Strong relationship-building skills with business leaders and cross-functional teams
• Ability to produce clear, concise technical documentation and reports for non-technical audiences
• Proficient in developing and delivering engaging PowerPoint presentations to various stakeholders, including executive leadership
• Demonstrated critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and root cause analysis capabilities
• Excellent communication, team-building, conflict resolution, and organizational skills
• Proven success in collaborative environments, driving alignment and achieving shared goals
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Quick learner with the ability to teach and adopt new technologies and concepts
• Experience managing team dynamics and fostering a high-performance culture

Preferred Certifications:

• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• PMP (Project Management Professional - PMI)
• CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional)
• CDRE (Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer)
• CBRM (Certified Business Resilience Manager)
• BCMCP (Business Continuity Management Certified Planner)