Director of Campus Modernization (Director, Application Services) at Houston Christian University (Houston, Texas)

This job is with Ellucian, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly. About Ellucian

Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian's AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrollment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian's innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

Ellucian seeks a visionary and collaborative Director of Campus Modernization (Director, Application Services) to work at Houston Christian University to lead the transformation of the University's digital ecosystem into a modern, integrated, data-informed, and student-centered technology environment. This strategic leadership role is responsible for aligning enterprise applications, digital transformation initiatives, ERP optimization, analytics, automation, and service delivery with HCU's mission of academic excellence, student success, and operational effectiveness.
Reporting to the Head of Digital Transformation/Chief Information Officer, the Director serves as a trusted advisor to university leadership and provides strategic oversight of enterprise applications, institutional systems, and modernization initiatives. The position blends executive leadership, technology strategy, consulting, governance, and operational execution to help Houston Christian University leverage technology as a catalyst for innovation and institutional growth.

Where You Will Make an Impact

Strategic Digital Transformation

• Develop and execute a multi-year Digital Campus Modernization roadmap that advances HCU's strategic priorities through cloud solutions, SaaS adoption, process automation, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Serve as the University's primary technology partner and trusted advisor for administrative and academic stakeholders, aligning business objectives with technology solutions.
• Lead enterprise-wide modernization initiatives focused on improving the student, faculty, and employee experience while increasing operational effectiveness.
• Establish governance frameworks that support technology prioritization, investment decisions, risk management, and continuous innovation.

Enterprise Applications & ERP Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for the analysis, implementation, configuration, maintenance, and optimization of Houston Christian University's enterprise applications ecosystem, including Ellucian Banner and integrated third-party solutions.
• Ensure the reliability, security, performance, and continuous improvement of mission-critical administrative systems and services.
• Oversee ERP lifecycle planning, system upgrades, SaaS migrations, testing, release management, and change management activities.
• Partner with stakeholders across enrollment management, student affairs, finance, human resources, advancement, and academic affairs to optimize business processes and maximize institutional value from technology investments.

Data, Analytics & Innovation

• Advance enterprise data strategy, reporting, analytics, and integration capabilities to create a connected digital campus and support informed decision-making.
• Promote the effective use of business intelligence, automation technologies, and emerging AI capabilities to improve operational efficiency and student outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, and accreditation reporting requirements while maintaining appropriate data governance practices.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new technologies and vendor solutions to support strategic objectives.

Leadership & Service Delivery

• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for enterprise applications, integrations, reporting, and related technology services.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Manage project portfolios, resources, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Establish technical standards, operational procedures, and service management practices that deliver sustainable and cost-effective support models.
• Build strong relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, vendors, and external partners to advance the University's digital transformation goals.

What You Will Bring

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in enterprise applications, ERP administration, digital transformation, or information technology management.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise application environments within higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• Strong knowledge of ERP platforms, with Ellucian Banner experience highly preferred.
• Proven success delivering digital transformation, business process improvement, cloud migration, or ERP modernization initiatives.
• Experience managing large-scale projects, competing priorities, budgets, and cross-functional stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with Ellucian Banner, DegreeWorks, Argos/eVisions/Insights, Canvas integrations, workflow automation tools, or similar higher education technologies.
• Experience developing governance frameworks, vendor management programs, and application portfolio strategies.
• Knowledge of data warehousing, analytics, AI-enabled technologies, enterprise integrations, SQL, Oracle, or cloud-based platforms.
• Project Management certification or formal program management experience.
• Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing technical teams.

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
• 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
• Parental Leave
• 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
• Telemedicine
• Wellness
• Headspace Care (mental health)
• Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
  
  • RethinkCare & Wellthy- caregiver support
  • Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
• Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
• We Foster a learning culture with:
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Professional development opportunities
  • LinkedIn Learning

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