Director of Applications Engineering and Data Strategy

At Concordia Plan Services we care for those who serve by providing excellent retirement, healthcare, and benefit services. We currently have an opportunity for a Director of Applications Engineering and Data Strategy.

Concordia Plan Services has a reputation for outstanding culture, most recently winning the 2025 Top Workplaces USA award. This honor goes to the country’s best employers with high performing people-first cultures. Our recent history of employment excellence also includes being awarded the 2023-2025 Top Workplaces USA award, the Top Workplaces 2021 - 2026 St. Louis Post-Dispatch awards and over the past five years additional special awards for Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, Purpose & Values, Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, Business Health Culture and Appreciation. Established more than 50 years ago providing service in 6,000 communities throughout the United States, we are mission focused professionals united to care for those caring for our community.

At Concordia Plan Services we are focused and flexible. Embracing the new normal, pioneering ways to continue to support work life balance in our family first culture. We offer competitive compensation with a benefit package, including a pension plan, 403(b), health insurance at no cost to the employee, and much more. With this exciting opportunity you can combine experience, talent, and passion as part of our team at Concordia Plan Services serving the workers of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.

General Summary

The Director of Applications Engineering and Data Strategy provides strategic leadership for enterprise data, application development, systems integration, and analytics initiatives. This role drives the design and delivery of scalable technology solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness and improve the experience of ministries, members, and internal stakeholders.

This leader partners across the organization to align technology and data strategies with business priorities, advance data-driven decision-making, and foster innovation through modern applications, integrations, reporting, and analytics capabilities. Oversees data governance, enterprise architecture, and technology standards to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable solutions that support the organization's long-term growth and success.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and execute the organization's applications, data, and integration strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term technology roadmaps.
• Partner with business leaders and stakeholders to identify needs, prioritize initiatives, and deliver scalable technology, data, and SaaS solutions that enhance business performance and customer experience.
• Lead application development, systems integration, data architecture, and enterprise reporting efforts to support operational efficiency, innovation, and informed decision-making.
• Oversee the organization's data platforms, including data warehouse and data hub solutions, ensuring secure, reliable, and accessible enterprise data.
• Establish and maintain data governance, quality, and reporting standards to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of enterprise information.
• Advance analytics and business intelligence capabilities by promoting effective data visualization, reporting, and actionable insights for organizational leaders.
• Lead, develop, and mentor high-performing teams across applications engineering, data architecture, analytics, and integration functions while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage the portfolio of application, integration, and reporting initiatives, balancing strategic priorities, operational needs, resource allocation, budgets, and vendor relationships.
• Oversee the administration, support, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise applications and SaaS platforms, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.
• Research, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies, industry best practices, and development methodologies to drive innovation, organizational effectiveness, and business value.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or Business Administration required; Master’s degree, preferred.
• Five (5) years of leadership experience in data strategy, integration, or analytics within a complex business environment.
• Three (3) years of demonstrated expertise in Power BI or similar business intelligence tools.
• Proven experience driving data strategy, data governance, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in centralized data hub and warehouse implementation and maintenance.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies (e.g., ITIL, Six Sigma), preferred.
  
  

Competencies

• Analytical Insight: Deriving meaningful information and conclusions from analyzing data, revealing patterns, trends and relationships that can inform decision making.
• Build Strong Teams: Builds a culture aligned around shared goals and purpose. Intentionally coach and develop others, nurture networks, and attract strong talent.
• Collaboration: Builds authentic relationships and harnesses the energy of others. Adapts interpersonal style and models productive dialogue and debate.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and concisely across all channels, reflecting Concordia Plans values and fostering mutual understanding in all internal and external communications.
• Data Analysis: Ability to securely collect, maintain, research, evaluate, and summarize data for utilization in various business practices, data analysis, and reporting. Effectively utilizing relevant information to develop realistic solutions/recommendations.
• Influence Others: Is a positive influence across and outside the organization. Paints a compelling picture and gains commitment for forward momentum.
• Model Resilience: Leads with optimism and composure, setting the tone for others. Is self-aware, humble, and open to alternatives when challenged.
• Outcomes-oriented: Brings a bias for action and achieves meaningful, timely, and measurable results. Lives continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Relationship Management: Builds and sustains relationships, partnering to understand needs, identify opportunities and recommend tailored solutions as a trusted advisor.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrates sound judgment, discernment, and church/business acumen. Encourages new thinking and makes future-focused decisions.