Manager of Application Development

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. is the original and leading franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores. With over 360 locations, we specialize in expert advice and an exclusive line of highest-quality, effective products designed to fulfill our mission by bringing people and nature together.


We are looking for a high-impact Manager of Application Development to lead the technical evolution of our franchise support systems. As a key stakeholder in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you won't just be managing code, you’ll be building value in a company you help own. You will be the architect and guardian of the applications that empower our FSC staff and franchise owners. From system architecture and application performance to the deployment of visual dashboards that drive retail sales, you will ensure our technology meets the strategic, long-term goals of the company and enhances the value of our collective employee-owned enterprise.


Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Design migration and continuous improvement strategies to ensure our applications remain current, secure, and hosted on modern platforms.
• Application Management: Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of all systems, including retail store software, corporate information systems, and business data processing.
• Team & Vendor Oversight: Oversee in-house programmers and manage third-party vendors/consultants, ensuring they deliver on-time, high-quality work that meets Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Business Intelligence: Develop advanced visual dashboards, scorecards, and on-demand metrics that provide stores with the business insight needed to boost sales performance.
• Security & Integrity: Enforce IS policies and security measures to safeguard information resources and minimize risks to data and programs.
• Stakeholder Support: Manage information processing and application access for both corporate staff and franchisee stakeholders.

To thrive in this role, you must demonstrate:

• Strategic Mindset & Tech Savvy: You see future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough tech strategies.
• Customer Focus & Balances Stakeholders: You build strong relationships with franchise owners and deliver solutions centered on their needs.
• Manages Complexity & Decision Quality: You make sense of high-quantity, complex information to make timely, sound decisions.
• Communicates Effectively: You develop multi-mode communications that make technical concepts clear to diverse audiences.
• Directs Work & Optimizes Processes: You are an expert at delegating, removing obstacles, and finding the most efficient way to get things done.

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, or an equivalent mix of education and professional experience.
• Expertise: Proven experience managing application development cycles and technical personnel.
• Technical Skills: Deep familiarity with SQL scripts, data integrity management, and modern system architecture.
• Bonus Points: Experience in a retail or franchise environment, or experience working within an ESOP structure.

This is a full-time position based in our Carmel, IN office, with the possibility of a hybrid schedule. As an Employee-Owned Company, we believe in rewarding the people who make our mission possible. We offer:

• Competitive salary and 401(k) with company match.
• Employee Stock Option Plan
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Disability insurance.
• Liberal vacation, personal, sick, and holiday leave.
• A generous discount on store merchandise so you can share in the joy of bird feeding!

Join Our Flock
If you are a technical leader who wants to own your future—literally—while helping us bring nature into more backyards, we want to hear from you. Wild Birds Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer. You can apply with a cover letter and resume to garcial@wbu.com

Each Wild Birds Unlimited franchise location is privately owned and operated by Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees. The Wild Birds Unlimited franchise owner(s) are the employers at each store, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location. Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. is not an employer or joint employer of any Store Manager, Assistant Manager, or other staff member of a Wild Birds Unlimited Store Owner.