Desktop Application Packaging Transition Manager

<p><b>Desktop Application Packaging Transition Manager</b></p> <p><b>Role Summary</b></p> <p>The Desktop Application Packaging Transition Manager is responsible for <b>planning, executing, and governing the transition</b> of desktop application packaging services from an incumbent vendor or internal team to a new delivery organization.<br /> The role ensures <b>knowledge transfer, service continuity, quality assurance, and risk mitigation</b> while establishing a <b>standardized, scalable, and automated packaging factory</b>.</p> <p>This is a <b>hands-on leadership role</b> requiring strong <b>technical depth</b>, <b>transition governance</b>, and <b>stakeholder management</b> skills.</p> <div> </div> <p><b>Key Objectives</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Execute <b>end-to-end transition</b> of application packaging services with zero or minimal business disruption</li> <li>Establish <b>standard operating procedures (SOPs)</b>, tooling, and quality benchmarks</li> <li>Ensure <b>knowledge capture</b> and long-term operational stability</li> <li>Enable a <b>future-ready packaging model</b> aligned with automation and modern endpoint platforms</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>Key Responsibilities</b></p> <p><b>1. Transition Planning & Governance</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Own the <b>transition strategy, roadmap, and execution plan</b></li> <li>Define <b>transition phases</b>: discovery, knowledge transfer, shadow support, takeover, and steady state</li> <li>Establish <b>RACI</b>, transition KPIs, and acceptance criteria</li> <li>Manage <b>transition risks, dependencies, and escalations</b></li> <li>Ensure compliance with contractual SLAs and OLAs during transition</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>2. Application Discovery & Assessment</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Lead <b>application portfolio discovery</b> (typically 1,000 5,000+ apps)</li> <li>Assess: <ul type="circle"> <li>Packaging formats (MSI, EXE, MSIX, App-V)</li> <li>Application dependencies and conflicts</li> <li>OS compatibility (Windows 10/11, VDI)</li> <li>Packaging complexity and criticality</li> </ul> </li> <li>Categorize apps into <b>standard, complex, and high-risk</b> buckets</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>3. Knowledge Transition & Documentation</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Drive structured <b>knowledge transfer</b> from incumbent teams</li> <li>Create and validate: <ul type="circle"> <li>Packaging runbooks</li> <li>Packaging standards and naming conventions</li> <li>Dependency matrices</li> <li>Troubleshooting guides</li> </ul> </li> <li>Ensure knowledge is <b>captured, validated, and signed off</b></li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>4. Packaging Factory Setup</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Establish a <b>standardized application packaging factory</b>, including: <ul type="circle"> <li>Packaging tools (AdminStudio, Advanced Installer, MSIX tooling)</li> <li>PowerShell automation frameworks</li> <li>CI/CD-style packaging workflows (where applicable)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Define: <ul type="circle"> <li>Packaging SLAs</li> <li>Quality gates</li> <li>Test and validation checklists</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>5. Tooling & Platform Alignment</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Align packaging services with endpoint platforms: <ul type="circle"> <li>Intune / MECM (SCCM)</li> <li>VDI platforms (Citrix / AVD / VMware)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Ensure integration with: <ul type="circle"> <li>ServiceNow (intake, CMDB, change)</li> <li>Security tooling (Defender, AppLocker, WDAC)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Drive adoption of <b>modern packaging formats</b> (MSIX where feasible)</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>6. Service Stabilization & Handover</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Manage <b>shadow and parallel run</b> phases</li> <li>Validate operational readiness before full takeover</li> <li>Ensure smooth transition into <b>BAU operations</b></li> <li>Provide executive-ready <b>transition completion reports</b></li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>7. Stakeholder & Vendor Management</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Act as the <b>single point of contact</b> for transition activities</li> <li>Collaborate with: <ul type="circle"> <li>End-user computing teams</li> <li>Security and IAM teams</li> <li>Infrastructure and VDI teams</li> <li>Application owners and business stakeholders</li> </ul> </li> <li>Manage incumbent vendor interactions and exit activities</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>Key Skills & Competencies</b></p> <p><b>Technical Skills</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Desktop application packaging (MSI, EXE, MSIX, App-V)</li> <li>Windows OS architecture (Windows 10/11)</li> <li>Endpoint management tools (Intune, SCCM/MECM)</li> <li>PowerShell scripting for packaging and automation</li> <li>VDI application delivery concepts</li> <li>Application security and compatibility remediation</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>Transition & Program Skills</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Large-scale service transition management</li> <li>ITIL-based transition governance</li> <li>Risk and issue management</li> <li>KPI definition and reporting</li> <li>Documentation and knowledge management</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p><b>Behavioral & Leadership Skills</b></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Strong stakeholder communication</li> <li>Decision-making under ambiguity</li> <li>Ability to bridge technical and business teams</li> <li>Structured, methodical, and outcome-driven mindset</li> </ul> <div> </div> <p> </p>