Overview
Job Location:
Fairfield, CT
Job Description:
The Director of Enterprise Systems is responsible for the planning, development, and operational support of Fairfield University enterprise application portfolio, including project management of new initiatives and testing of new solutions. At the center of the University’s portfolio is Workday Financial Management and Human Capital Management solutions and a Student Information System that is transitioning to Workday Student from Ellucian’s Banner solution. In addition to Workday, the Enterprise Systems team leads the development and support for related academic and administrative systems, as well as web-based and mobile solutions for accessing the University’s systems, information, and data.
The Director of Enterprise Systems is an enthusiastic systems expert who partners with peers in ITS Leadership and University stakeholders to better understand the University’s technology needs across finance, administration, and academic functional areas. The Director of Enterprise Systems identifies and implements best practices, and ensures value is delivered by the University’s investment in Workday and other academic and administrative systems, as well as web-based and mobile solutions for accessing the University’s systems. The Director must be able to appreciate nuances in processes while also working to reduce complexity, motivated by the improved user experience and efficient and reliable outcomes for the University’s enterprise systems, projects, and operations. The Director is responsible for the full suite of enterprise systems, translating business needs into reliable, scalable, and secure solutions.
The ideal candidate will leverage a strong background in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Student Information Systems (SIS) in a Higher Education environment to manage a team of technical professionals responsible for enhancing and maintaining the university’s ERP and SIS environments. This position will report to the Chief Technology Officer and will be a part of the ITS Leadership team.
SKILLS AND TRAITS FOR SUCCESS:
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A relentless drive to continual process improvement to elevate all facets of the University, never settling for "good enough.”
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Acute awareness and empathy to manage expectations of students, faculty, and staff.
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Exceptional relationship-building skills and a collaborative spirit to foster trust and to work seamlessly within the Enterprise Systems team, ITS, and across the community.
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Resilience, patience, and a genuine desire to navigate challenges to realize University objectives.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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12 Years of Professional Experience
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5 Years of Leadership/Management Experience
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5 Years of Workday Systems Development Experience
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3 Years of hands-on applications development
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Bachelor’s degree required
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Strong consulting and leadership skills and experience
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Collaborative leadership style
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Experience using web services and cloud platforms
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Proven business analysis and requirements-gathering experience
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Willing to work in a multivariate environment with competing priorities
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Ability to think strategically while maintaining a practical outlook
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Flexible about project management methodologies
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Willingness to work outside of normal business hours when necessary
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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5 Years of Higher Education Experience
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5 Years of full life-cycle implementation of Workday Finance Experience
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3 Years of full life-cycle implementation Workday HCM Experience
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Master’s degree strongly preferred
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Experience in the higher education environment, Workday HCM, Finance, Student and Ellucian Banner Finance and SIS Experience
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Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) knowledge and experience
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Familiarity with agile development methodologies
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Programming experience with OOP, web programming, database procedures, SQL, ETL, SOAP and REST-based web service APIs
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Knowledge of or experience working with programming and administration of Java, PL/SQL, Oracle , Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon Web Services, Azure
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Knowledge of or experience working with Banner, PowerFAIDS, Touchnet, Blackboard LMS, StarRez, EMS, Courseleaf, Raiser’s Edge, ServiceNow, Salesforce
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Understand Workday platform extensibility through application extensions, composite applications, and external applications design patterns
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Strong knowledge of the Workday Business Process (WBP) Framework, Workday Business Objects, Workday Web Services and Workday Reporting
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Workday Prism Analytics
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Ability to mentor and develop talent of coworkers
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Ability to lead in the creation of work flows, standards, and frameworks to improve efficiency of teams
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:
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Workday Focus (60%):
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Lead strategic integration, enhancement, and maintenance of Workday's ERP/SIS platforms, ensuring alignment with academic and administrative goals.
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Collaborate with consultants and internal stakeholders to implement and launch Workday’s SIS platform.
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Collaborate with stakeholders to tailor Workday solutions, optimizing financial, human capital, and student information management processes.
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Administrative and Academic Systems Development (20%):
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Work closely with University stakeholders to understand business and academic needs and identify appropriate opportunities for enterprise solutions and continued innovation of capabilities that align with the University’s strategic plan and direction.
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Management of current Student Information System (Banner) and all associated in-house developed and third-party applications that support the administrative and academic functions of the University, including PowerFAIDS, Touchnet, Starfish, Blackboard LMS, The Housing Director, EMS, Courseleaf, and Raiser’s Edge.
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Web & Mobile Development (20%):
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Oversee the development and deployment of robust web and mobile applications for accessing the University’s systems, information, and data, in line with academic and administrative requirements.
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Engage with internal teams and external partners to ensure best practices in user experience, security, and scalability.
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Lead liaison activities between ITS, academic, and administrative functions, translating strategic objectives into actionable ITS projects.
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Present data-driven business cases to senior leadership, ensuring technology initiatives align with institutional ROI expectations.
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Work closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on budgeting, team training, and fostering a culture of innovation.
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Manage the professional development and performance of a team of technical professionals responsible for enhancing and maintaining Fairfield University's ERP/SIS environment.
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Responsible for personnel management activities such as: scheduling, personnel actions (hiring, promotions, transfers, etc.), training and development, providing regular direction and feedback on performance, disciplinary actions and preparing and delivering annual performance and salary reviews.
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Explore innovations and trends in technology for ERP and associated enterprise systems and integration
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Participate in Data Governance related to ERP/SIS and contribute to strategic ITS planning processes.
Category:
ITS – Admin
Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
*Disclaimer
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.
Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
