Lead IT Business Partner

Job Description

CDM Smith is seeking a Lead, IT Business Partner to join our Business Technology Team. This role serves as the primary technology liaison to one or more business units, driving outcome-based roadmaps, shaping demand, guiding investments, orchestrating change, measuring value realization, and leading implementation of advanced tech (e.g. agents, AI, and power apps). Accountable for business relationship management, change management, communications/internal marketing, and metrics/KPI stewardship to ensure the company's digital strategy is implemented consistently and compliantly across the enterprise. Work is performed independently and assigned performance metrics and development goals.

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Business Partnership
Builds trusted relationships with business unit leadership; co-creates multi-year roadmaps that translate business outcomes into IT capabilities (data platforms, automation, collaboration, AI).
Operates the demand intake and prioritization process; facilitates trade-offs against strategic themes and capacity; ensures portfolio alignment to enterprise digital strategy and architecture standards.
Represents the business in IT governance (architecture, security/compliance, vendor, investment) and represents IT in business planning cycles.
Investment Planning & Prioritization
Leads business case development: problem/opportunity, measurable outcomes, options analysis, TCO/ROI, and risk/compliance impacts.
Convenes cross-functional reviews to evaluate fit and feasibility; aligns proposals with enterprise vendor risk and security awareness requirements; shepherds initiatives through investment decisions.
Change Management & Adoption
Designs and executes change strategies (stakeholder analysis, readiness, communications, training, reinforcement) using Prosci/ADKAR or equivalent practices.
Embeds feedback loops and reinforcement mechanisms to sustain adoption; mitigates change risks with business subject matter experts and IT delivery leads.
Communications / Internal Marketing ("Advertising")
Develops compelling narratives and launch campaigns that promote IT initiatives, standards, and services (e.g. Digital Hub, Viva Engage, AI Trailblazers, SharePoint, town halls, email).
Tailors messages for executives, project teams, and field staff; explains the why behind technology standards (AI usage, security, content rights, risk management, transparency).
Metrics, Insights & Value Tracking
Defines success measures at initiative, portfolio, and business-unit levels; maintains dashboards that track:
o Adoption/readiness (training, usage curves)
o Flow efficiency (lead/cycle time, throughput; % demand aligned to strategy)
o Financials (TCO vs. plan, run/change split, realized benefits/ROI)
o Risk/compliance (policy conformance, vendor/security control coverage)
o Stakeholder sentiment (partner NPS, executive satisfaction)
Publishes monthly/quarterly scorecards and executive briefs connecting outcomes to strategy.
Risk, Security & Compliance Alignment
Integrates enterprise policies (third-party/vendor management, security awareness) into planning and delivery; escalates and tracks exceptions through appropriate governance channels.
Portfolio Orchestration & Delivery Enablement
Translates outcomes into epics/initiatives with PMO/product leadership; surfaces and resolves cross-unit dependencies; facilitates retrospectives and QBRs to refine roadmaps.
Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.
7 years of related experience.

Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

Real world experience with AI toolchains
Prior IT Business Partner experience
Financial modeling and benefit tracking experience

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Why CDM Smith?

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith - where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it's a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Skills and Abilities

Proven expertise in change management, executive communications, and KPI/scorecard design.
Strong financial acumen (TCO/ROI, benefits realization) and data-driven decision making.
Working knowledge of enterprise security, vendor management, and compliance requirements; ability to embed policy guardrails in business cases and delivery plans.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365/SharePoint, Power BI (dashboards/scorecards), portfolio/demand tools (e.g., Azure DevOps/Project, Aha! or equivalent), Teams/Viva Engage.
Excellent writing and presentation skills; ability to "market" IT services and value to diverse audiences.
Demonstrates executive presence and a trusted advisor mindset.
Possesses excellent systems thinking and portfolio governance abilities.
Ability to influence without authority and manage stakeholder relationships.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as "CDM Smith") reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Pay Range Information

The pay range for this position is listed above. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for this position based on the geographic location assigned to the position. Please note that pay ranges vary based on geographic location. In addition to geographic location, the company considers several other factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the role, function and associated responsibilities, the candidate's work experience, education/training and key skills.