Director of Applications

Job Description

Job Description

We are actively seeking qualified candidates for the following position for our client, who is an industry leader:

Director of Applications

Location: Bergen County, NJ  - 4 days in office

Essential Job Summary:

Exciting opportunity to join a growing IT team as the team is in the middle of a multiyear digital transformation journey and active M&A expansion. The Director of Business Applications will lead the strategy, execution, and ongoing optimization of enterprise applications ecosystem, including enterprise platforms, custom applications, integrations, and analytics.

This role will be critical in enabling enterprise transformation by modernizing systems, integrating acquired businesses, and driving AI-enabled and data-driven capabilities across the organization. The Director will partner closely with business and IT leadership to ensure technology solutions support operational efficiency, scalability, and long-term growth.

Essential Job Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Other duties may be assigned. 

Enterprise Application Management

• Lead the implementation, enhancement, and support of enterprise applications (ERP, CRM, HCM, and industry platforms)
• Ensure system reliability, performance, scalability, and security across all environments.
• Establish application strategy and roadmap aligned with business priorities and transformation initiatives.

Custom Applications & Integrations

• Oversee development and lifecycle of custom applications and internal tools.
• Define and implement integration architecture across enterprise systems and third-party platforms.
• Manage APIs, data exchange standards, and interoperability across systems.

Analytics & Business Intelligence

• Lead the analytics function including data engineering, reporting, and business intelligence.
• Develop and execute roadmap for enterprise data and analytics platforms.
• Drive adoption of data-driven decision-making through dashboards and KPIs.

Transformation & M&A Integration

• Lead application and data integration efforts for acquisitions.
• Standardize systems, processes, and reporting across acquired businesses.
• Partner with transformation teams to enable enterprise-wide digital initiatives.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between internal teams and software vendors, consultants, and service providers.
• Negotiate contracts, manage SLAs, and ensure vendors meet performance expectations.
• Collaborate with business units to gather requirements and align technology solutions with operational needs.

Innovation & AI Enablement

• Explore and implement AI-driven enhancements, automation, and low-code solutions to optimize workflows.
• Ensure governance, scalability, and alignment with enterprise AI strategy.
• Stay updated on industry trends and evaluate new enterprise software solutions for scalability and efficiency.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives by leveraging modern platforms.

Team Leadership & Support

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management.
• Drive a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across Enterprise applications, Dev and integration and analytics teams

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree (accredited), in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field. Master’s degree preferred
• Experience: 10+ years of IT leadership experience
• 5+ years managing enterprise applications teams and/or multiple IT functions
• Proven experience leading enterprise software implementations and system transformations
• Experience managing custom application development and integrations
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale high-performing IT teams
• Experience in M&A integration, system consolidation, or multi-entity environments preferred
• Strong understanding of enterprise application ecosystems and integration strategies
• Ability to align technology solutions with business objectives
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Proven project and program management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions based on data and analysis