Summary: The Senior Director of IT Enterprise Applications provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s enterprise application environment, including enterprise application like the Student Portal, the Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), Finance & Operations (F&O) platforms, and other integrated applications. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, optimization, and alignment of these critical platforms to support institutional operations, student success, and organizational growth.
The Senior Director leads a team of specialized IT Systems Administrators, providing direction, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality, secure, and efficient enterprise system solutions. The role partners closely with university leadership, functional departments, and vendors to ensure enterprise applications meet operational needs, compliance requirements, and support the university''s strategic initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Oversight:
· Provide vision, strategic direction, and technical leadership for the administration and continuous improvement of enterprise applications.
· Develop and execute short- and long-term plans for enterprise application optimization, system upgrades, and new technology adoption.
· Ensure application platforms align with institutional goals, compliance standards, and industry best practices.
· Serve as the primary liaison between IT and key functional areas for enterprise application-related initiatives.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
· Directly supervise and mentor team members specializing in enterprise applications such as ECM, CRM, SIS, LMS, and F&O.
· Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment focused on system reliability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
· Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for enterprise application team members.
· Support staff development through coaching, training opportunities, and performance management.
Application Management & Optimization
· Oversee the administration, configuration, and optimization of enterprise applications to ensure performance, reliability, and data integrity.
· Lead efforts to integrate applications with other institutional systems to improve operational efficiency and data accessibility.
· Ensure platforms are properly maintained, patched, and upgraded to minimize risk and downtime.
· Collaborate with stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and deliver system enhancements that meet evolving institutional needs.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
· Establish and enforce application governance processes, including change management, security controls, and access management.
· Ensure enterprise applications comply with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards (e.g., FERPA, GDPR, PCI).
· Support audit activities, security assessments, and data protection initiatives related to enterprise applications.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
· Serve as the key point of contact for executive leadership, business units, and external vendors regarding enterprise application initiatives.
· Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to ensure enterprise applications support operational efficiency and user satisfaction.
· Communicate system performance, project updates, and risks to stakeholders in a clear, timely, and professional manner.
Budgeting & Resource Management
· Develop and manage budgets for enterprise application systems, staffing, and support contracts.
· Optimize resource allocation to support system reliability, projects, and operational needs.
· Evaluate and manage vendor relationships, software licensing, and service agreements.
Supervisory Responsibilities: YES
Qualifications:
· Fully bilingual (English and Spanish), oral and written.
· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
· Strong understanding of enterprise application architecture, system integration, and data management
· Working knowledge of major enterprise platforms such as CRM, SIS, LMS, ECM, and F&O systems
· Familiarity with IT security, access management, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FERPA, PCI, GDPR)
· Exceptional leadership, team development, and personnel management skills
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders
· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
· Proficiency in project management, vendor management, and budgeting processes
· Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment
· Relevant platform certifications preferred (e.g., Dynamics CRM, Anthology Student, Canvas, Softdocs, Microsoft, etc.)
· ITIL Foundation certification preferred
· Project management certification (e.g., PMP) preferred
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
Experience:
· 7–10 years of progressive IT experience in enterprise applications or system administration
· Minimum of 3–5 years of direct leadership or management experience overseeing enterprise applications or platform support teams
· Demonstrated experience managing large-scale enterprise platforms such as CRM, SIS, LMS, ECM, or F&O systems
· Experience leading teams responsible for system administration, platform optimization, and technical troubleshooting
· Hands-on involvement with system integrations, data exchange, and interoperability across enterprise platforms
· Experience collaborating with executive leadership and functional departments to deliver technology solutions
· Track record of implementing system governance, security controls, and change management processes
· Experience developing and managing budgets for enterprise applications, staffing, and vendor contracts
· Previous experience in higher education or similarly complex, multi-system environments strongly preferred
Certifications (Preferred but not Required):
· ITIL Foundation or advanced IT service management certification
· Project management certification (e.g., PMP)
Additional Skill:
· A service-oriented mindset, prioritizing the best interests of both users and the company.
· Accurate documentation and attention to detail.
· Strong research and organizational skills.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English/Spanish).
· Excellent telephone etiquette with a pleasant and friendly style.
· Ability to thrive in a multi-task environment.
· Friendly and courteous demeanour with clients, vendors, and coworkers.
· Strong time management skills.
· Effective complaint handling and conflict resolution skills.
· Versatility and adaptability in various situations.
Never miss an opportunity! Create an alert based on the job you applied for.
