VP, Enterprise Platforms Strategy

The Urban Land Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing the full spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines across private enterprise and public service. ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. THE ROLE ULI is seeking a Vice President, Enterprise Platforms Strategy to lead the strategic direction, architecture, and long-term evolution of its enterprise platform ecosystem. This is a senior, highly visible role that serves as the strategic architect of ULI’s entire enterprise technology portfolio, spanning CRM/AMS, digital member platforms, marketing automation, finance and events systems, enterprise integrations, and the data and analytics infrastructure that underpins global organizational performance. A key partner across Membership, Marketing, Finance, Events, Data & Analytics, and Enterprise Applications & Operations, the VP translates organizational priorities into platform strategy and ensures business-critical systems evolve cohesively and remain aligned with scalability and mission goals across global operations. This role focuses on strategy, governance, and architecture, not day-to-day infrastructure operations, application administration, or technical support. WHAT YOU WILL DO Enterprise platform strategy and architecture Define and maintain the long‑term enterprise platform strategy aligned with organizational priorities, member lifecycle objectives, and growth needs. Lead enterprise architecture and platform alignment efforts across CRM/AMS platforms, integrations, digital platforms, and related business systems. Establish platform standards, architectural principles, and integration approaches that support scalability, interoperability, and operational efficiency. Evaluate emerging technologies and modernization opportunities; provide strategic recommendations tied to clear business value. Guide platform evolution to keep systems adaptable, integrated, and strategically aligned. CRM and enterprise ecosystem leadership Serve as executive steward of ULI’s full enterprise technology portfolio, encompassing CRM/AMS, digital member platforms, marketing automation, finance and events systems, and associated enterprise integrations. Partner with CRM Product Management leadership to align platform capabilities, roadmap priorities, and governance. Oversee enterprise integration strategy and interoperability across CRM, finance, marketing automation, analytics, web, and related systems. Support platform modernization, ecosystem simplification, and technical sustainability. Enterprise governance and organizational alignment Facilitate alignment among organizational priorities, platform capabilities, and long‑term systems strategy across functional areas and global regions. Serve as the senior integration point across ULI’s three technology pillars: Enterprise Platforms Strategy, Enterprise Applications & Operations, and Data Analytics & Engineering, ensuring strategic alignment and coordinated investment planning. Establish and maintain the operating model governing how requirements, priorities, and delivery accountability flow across all three pillars, including escalation paths and cross‑team handoffs. Lead development of business cases and ROI analyses supporting major platform investments and modernization initiatives. Partner with business leadership, Product Management, and Portfolio Management to support enterprise governance and prioritization. Platform modernization and transformation Lead strategic planning for platform modernization, migrations, upgrades, and ecosystem evolution. Partner with Enterprise Applications & Operations to support implementation and operational readiness for platform initiatives. Drive platform rationalization, technical debt reduction, and ecosystem simplification. Collaborate with Product Management, Data & Analytics, and Project Management to align modernization efforts with organizational priorities. Vendor and platform stewardship Lead strategic relationships with enterprise platform vendors, implementation partners, and technology providers. Evaluate vendor roadmaps and platform capabilities for long‑term alignment with organizational strategy. Identify organizational risks, dependencies, and scalability considerations related to enterprise platforms and technology ecosystems. Team leadership and organizational development Directly supervise the Director, CRM Product Management and oversee work performed by external vendors, implementation partners, and consultants. Lead and mentor enterprise platform and product management staff, fostering a collaborative, service‑oriented culture. Build organizational maturity in enterprise product management, platform governance, and systems thinking. Promote cross‑functional collaboration, knowledge‑sharing, documentation standards, and continuous improvement. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR Required Bachelor’s degree in information systems, business administration, technology management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 10+ years of progressive experience leading enterprise platforms, CRM ecosystems, enterprise architecture, or digital transformation initiatives. Demonstrated experience leading enterprise technology strategy across a portfolio of interdependent platforms including CRM, digital engagement, analytics, and operational systems. Strong understanding of CRM/AMS ecosystems (NetFORUM experience strongly preferred), along with enterprise integrations, APIs, interoperability, and SaaS platform architecture. Experience overseeing complex platform ecosystems including CRM, digital platforms, analytics, and integrations. Demonstrated success facilitating cross‑functional governance and decision‑making related to enterprise systems and technology investments. Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills; able to engage and align both technical and non‑technical audiences. Demonstrated ability to navigate organizational complexity, guide strategic trade‑offs, and lead through change. Preferred Experience in a global association, nonprofit, professional society, or membership‑driven organization. Familiarity with ULI’s CRM/AMS platform (NetFORUM) or comparable association management systems. Familiarity with enterprise product management, portfolio management, or PMO governance models. Experience with enterprise data governance, analytics enablement, or cross‑platform reporting. Professional certifications in enterprise architecture, product management, business analysis, or change management. Azure experience helpful; familiarity with marketing automation, digital engagement, and member lifecycle systems a plus. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE In the first six months, a successful VP will have met with all major business leaders and built a clear picture of the next two years of strategic priorities. They will have designed a technology roadmap showing how those priorities will be met through platform solutions, coordinated with the Enterprise Applications Department on execution, and established strong working relationships with the Data & Analytics team to ensure platform strategy is cohesive with ULI’s overall data strategy. Critically, they will have begun implementing early improvements, not just planning. The right person is both a rigorous technical mind and a solutions‑oriented partner to business leaders. They listen, understand organizational priorities, and translate them into platform strategy that the whole organization can get behind. Cultural fit and the ability to build trust quickly across a complex stakeholder landscape are as important as technical expertise. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The salary range for this position is $153,159 to $173,204. Actual compensation will be based on experience, education, skills, and other job‑related factors. ULI offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance; generous vacation leave; and retirement plan with employer match. WORKING CONDITIONS The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is committed to shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, and we embrace our core values of integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and excellence in service to our members. In alignment with the Board of Directors’ strong commitment to in‑person collaboration, our roles require regular on‑site presence to foster teamwork, innovation, and organizational effectiveness. ULI’s primary workplace remains its offices, where in‑person collaboration supports our mission and service to members. ULI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non‑citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr