VP, IT Business Solutions

VP, IT Business Solutions

Conservation South Africa Arlington, VA

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA

The VP, IT Business Solutions will partner with the CITO and business leaders to lead the organization's technology strategy, drive innovation, and transform business operations through the effective implementation of IT solutions, including the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI capabilities. The role will also ensure delivery of information technology solutions that maximize the benefits of technology, generate organizational impact, and confirm that the results are measured and communicated—leveraging data, analytics, automation, and AI to improve outcomes at scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead business solutions strategic planning and execution that support business objectives and drive growth.
• Drive digital transformation and change management initiatives by identifying opportunities for process improvement and innovation. Ensure opportunities are included in the roadmap and governance.
• Creating a culture of multiyear strategic planning elevating IT into a strategic partner.
• Oversee the selection, deployment, and management of enterprise-wide software applications, ensuring alignment with business requirements and best practices.
• Plan effective governance.
• Define and drive an enterprise AI strategy and roadmap (including generative AI), identifying high-value use cases, aligning priorities with business objectives, and ensuring responsible AI governance.
• Partner with data, security, privacy, risk, and legal stakeholders to establish AI standards (data quality, model lifecycle, vendor evaluation, and controls) and drive adoption through training, change management, and measurement of business value.
• Bring outside-in perspectives into the organization by routinely meeting with industry peers and other external sources.

Operational Management

• Lead a team of IT professionals responsible for solution architecture, development, implementation, and support.
• Build and lead AI-enabled delivery capabilities (e.g., intelligent automation, analytics, and GenAI solutions), ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, and integrated into business processes and platforms.
• Build both horizontal and vertical relationships that deliver impact.
• Ensure that business needs get formalized, tracked, and resolved.
• Craft effective communication strategies for both IT and the business.
• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts for IT products and services.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards relating to IT systems and solutions.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the IT team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Creates and manages budget for business solutions and the project teams.

Project Management/Agile Leadership

• Partner with leadership on pre-project ideation.
• Plan effective business demand shaping, governance alignment, prioritization, and successful execution.
• Partner with business and other IT leaders to build business cases, plan new initiatives, and determine how they fit into the roadmap and priorities. Propose new projects to IT governance.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Position may require some travel.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications Required

• Master's degree in computer systems design or computer science, and/or years of equivalent work experience.

Knowledge & Experience

• 15 or more years work experience in information technology.
• 8 or more years in a senior leadership role within IT, with a focus on business solutions and technology strategy.
• 5 or more years of experience managing teams of professional employees.
• Strong understanding of solution architecture, IT software development lifecycle, agile, and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI and/or generative AI initiatives from concept to production, including use-case identification, vendor/partner evaluation, risk management, and change adoption.
• Working knowledge of responsible AI practices, including privacy, security, bias mitigation, model monitoring, and data governance.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking capabilities.

Preferred

• Alignment to CI's values: passion, integrity, teamwork, respect, courage, and optimism.
• Self-motivated and capable of managing multiple priorities and tasks as delegated.
• Team-player with the ability to work within a collaborative environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work with diverse personality types.
• Ability to coach the team to reach their highest potential.
• Creative and efficient in proposing solutions to complex, time-critical problems.
• Collaborative in driving decisions.
• Ability to deal with multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
• Sense of urgency.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Compensation, Benefits & Culture:

Conservation International is committed to pay equity, transparency, and supporting employees across locations.

Salary Range: $188,000 - $210,000 annually. This range represents Conservation International's good-faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation is based on geographic location, job-related skills, qualifications, and relevant experience.

Benefits: Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer match after 60 days; Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); employer-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage; paid vacation and sick leave; voluntary benefits including pet insurance; and organization-issued technology to support remote and hybrid work. Benefits are subject to plan terms, eligibility requirements, and may be modified from time to time.