Business Applications Director

Job Description:

This is a strategic leadership role within Information Services, focused on driving the performance, governance, modernization, and long-term direction of Essentia Health’s business applications and technology platforms. You will lead a team responsible for 25+ business systems, including Workday, that enable core business functions across Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other operational areas. Reporting to the VP of Business Applications, you will partner closely with leaders across the organization to ensure our platforms deliver reliable, scalable solutions that support day-to-day operations and enable future growth. This role is critical to advancing Essentia’s business systems and platforms from operational support to strategic enablers of organizational performance and business value, while enabling continued innovation.

Education Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic technology partner to executive and operational leaders, translating business needs into scalable platform capabilities and influencing decisions around systems, platforms, and digital investments.

Own and execute a multi-year enterprise roadmap that advances platform capabilities, strengthens integration architecture, and supports digital transformation, while ensuring strong financial stewardship of operating and capital investments.

Lead the strategy, modernization, and day-to-day performance of enterprise business applications, aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.

Establish and lead enterprise governance for business applications, partnering with enterprise architecture, security, and cross-functional teams.

Ensure alignment and delivery across Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, and other enterprise business domains.

Drive the transition from third-party consulting reliance to internal delivery capability, building the team’s capacity in platform development, automation, and enterprise application management.

Provide oversight of business applications, establishing modern practices in software engineering, integration architecture, and digital platforms, while reinforcing engineering standards, delivery governance, and architectural alignment.

Champion emerging platform capabilities including automation, AI-enabled workflows and agents, Workday Extend, and modern platform development to maximize the value of our technology investments.

Build, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering leadership capability, succession readiness, and a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, including oversight of enterprise-scale platforms in complex organizations.

Experience operating at an enterprise level with cross-functional accountability across multiple business domains.

Experience leading large enterprise platforms such as Workday or comparable ERP ecosystems supporting Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, or related business functions.

Experience with software engineering oversight, integration architecture, or enterprise application delivery in a leadership capacity.

Experience managing vendor relationships, SaaS contracts, and operating and capital budgets.

Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing technical teams.

Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior business and technology stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in healthcare or other highly regulated industries.

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or related discipline.

ITIL, PMP, or comparable service management or project leadership certification.

Experience leading enterprise modernization or digital transformation initiatives, particularly transitioning from external consulting to internal capability.

Familiarity with cloud hosting environments and enterprise security frameworks.

Hands-on experience with automation, AI, or platform development tools (e.g., Workday Extend).

Experience working closely with VPs, CIOs, or senior executives in a strategic technology capacity.

Work Location:

This role is based in Duluth, MN with a hybrid work arrangement. Regular in-person presence is expected to support collaboration with IS leadership and the CIO office.

Candidates located in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, or South Dakota are strongly preferred.

Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to a state where Essentia Health is authorized to employ.

We are unable to employ candidates residing in California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, or Colorado.

Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Location: Peerless Building

Shift Rotation: Day Rotation (United States of America)

Hours Per Pay Period: 80

Compensation Range: $73.39 - $110.09 / hour

FTE: 1

It is our policy to afford EEO to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, military service or veteran status, culture, socio-economic status, status with regard to public assistance, and other factors not related to qualifications, including employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other category as defined by law.