Together we make breakthroughs possible.
At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world.
Why join OCLC?
OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being.
We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs.
Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact.
The job details are as follows:
About Us
Technology with a Purpose. OCLC supports thousands of libraries worldwide in making information more accessible and useful. We provide shared technology services, original research, and community programs that help libraries meet the evolving needs of their users and communities.
Job Summary
The Technical Manager is responsible for leading technical teams within the OCLC Wise platform and will have management responsibility for up to 9 people. This role combines people leadership, delivery management, technical direction, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the platform remains reliable, secure, scalable, and aligned with customer and business needs.
Working through Team Leads and senior technical professionals, the Technical Manager develops talent, drives operational excellence, manages cross-team dependencies, and supports the execution of strategic initiatives. This role partners closely with Product, Engineering, Architecture, DevOps, Operations, and Customer Support to ensure successful delivery of platform capabilities while maintaining a focus on long-term sustainability, performance, and customer outcomes.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop Team Leads and senior technical professionals across multiple teams.
- Build leadership capability through mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and learning.
- Support hiring, workforce planning, employee development, engagement, and performance management activities.
Delivery & Operational Excellence
- Ensure successful delivery of platform enhancements, operational commitments, and strategic initiatives.
- Oversee capacity planning, prioritization, resource allocation, risks, and cross-team dependencies.
- Continuously improve processes, workflows, tooling, and operational practices.
- Drive quality, reliability, security, and operational readiness across teams.
Technical Leadership
- Partner with architects and technical leaders to align technical standards, designs, and platform strategy.
- Support sound technical decision-making by balancing delivery, quality, scalability, risk, and cost.
- Promote automation, standardization, and reusable solutions that improve efficiency and consistency.
- Ensure platform dependencies and integration risks are identified and managed proactively.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Product, Engineering, QA, DevOps, Operations, Security, and Customer Support teams.
- Build alignment around priorities, technical investments, delivery plans, and customer outcomes.
- Communicate progress, risks, and decisions effectively to both technical and business stakeholders.
- Remove barriers and resolve issues that impact cross-functional delivery.
Business & Resource Management
- Maintain accountability for team performance, platform health, and delivery outcomes.
- Establish and monitor meaningful KPIs and operational metrics.
- Manage capacity, budget considerations, and resource utilization across teams.
- Escalate and address strategic risks, trade-offs, and operational challenges when needed.
Required Qualifications
- Experience leading technical teams in a software, SaaS, platform, infrastructure, or technology delivery environment.
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching, employee development, performance management, and workforce planning.
- Experience managing complex projects, cross-functional initiatives, competing priorities, and operational risks.
- Strong understanding of software delivery, platform operations, reliability, incident management, and continuous improvement practices.
- Ability to provide technical guidance and facilitate effective technical decision-making.
- Experience with resource planning, operational metrics, and delivery reporting.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated accountability and ownership for team and business outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading multiple technical teams through team leads, senior engineers, or other technical leaders.
- Experience developing future leaders and building organizational capability.
- Experience with enterprise software, SaaS platforms, cloud services, or customer-facing technology products.
- Familiarity with Agile delivery methodologies and IT service management practices.
- Knowledge of cloud infrastructure, Linux environments, automation, CI/CD, monitoring, and software architecture concepts.
- Experience leading technical or organizational change initiatives.
- Experience working in global or distributed organizations.
What Success Looks Like
- High-performing teams with strong leadership, clear priorities, and shared accountability.
- Successful delivery of cross-functional initiatives and platform improvements.
- Enhanced platform reliability, scalability, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
- Strong collaboration across Product, Engineering, and other business functions.
- Effective development of current and future technical leaders.
- Consistent focus on customer value, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Desired Qualifications:
An advanced degree in computer or business management is desirable.
Working Conditions: Normal office environment.
ADA/EAA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
