Director of Integration & Process Innovation

Reporting to the AVP of Enterprise Data & Solutions, the Director of Integration and Process Innovation is the strategic technology leader responsible for driving transformative solutions in data integration, process efficiency, and cutting-edge AI applications within a higher education environment. To align with institutional strategic initiatives and business needs, the Director establishes critical partnerships across academic and administrative departments including Enrollment, Academic Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Student Services, and Advancement. The role owns the full solution lifecycle from technical assessment and business requirement gathering to project proposal generation, solution development, and deployment, ensuring results that drive operational efficiency and create a transformative user experience. Success is defined by building strong stakeholder relationships, enforcing cross-functional collaboration, and proactively identifying technology gaps to create strategic business opportunities. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and advanced technical expertise in APIs, AI, data analytics, and business analysis are essential for this role.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead enterprise system development planning and execution, ensuring infrastructure and solutions support institutional growth, enhance user experience, and align with strategic initiatives.
• Prepare and transform the team to implement emerging technologies that deliver innovative solutions, optimize operations through automation, and expand strategic capabilities.
• Elevate team expertise in emerging technologies including APIs and AI/ML, while directing institution-wide adoption programs, training, and ongoing support.
• Lead the development and deployment of AI-assisted applications and chatbots across enterprise platforms.
• Develop technical and business proposals, statements of work, and execution plans that define project objectives, deliverables, priorities, and required technologies for enterprise initiatives.

Enterprise Platform & Integration Management

• Oversee the performance, operation, and maintenance of enterprise development and integration platforms including ERP, CRM, integration middleware, cloud platforms, databases, and development tools.
• Serve as the technical lead on enterprise platform initiatives, supporting integrations, implementation efforts, and end-to-end lifecycle testing.
• Coordinate platform release testing and adoption efforts related to integrations and business functionality.
• Ensure continuous platform operation and performance, including timely resolution of data integrity and application performance issues.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Business Intelligence, Security, and User Services teams to resolve critical platform and technical incidents.
• Lead the architecture and development of enterprise integrations, including API web services and cloud-based integrations, ensuring reliable high-volume data exchange between systems and third-party applications.
• Govern platform resiliency and business continuity through backup, recovery, sandbox management, and disaster recovery planning.
• Develop and maintain documentation strategies for IT software, integrations, and process inventories while ensuring cross-training and knowledge sharing.
• Drive rapid AI-assisted development and iterative solution design while ensuring enterprise security, governance, and code review standards are maintained.

Data Management & Governance

• Partner with Security and Business Intelligence teams to implement secure data sharing and access practices across enterprise data platforms.
• Ensure compliance with IT change management and governance protocols.

Project & Team Delivery

• Partner with PMO and business stakeholders to define, plan, and deploy strategic IT initiatives that align with organizational objectives.
• Direct team-managed projects while ensuring adherence to project management standards and proactively managing resource allocation and project dependencies.
• Lead process re-engineering and automation initiatives through product evaluation, technical documentation, business case development, and vendor collaboration.
• Collaborate with Business Systems Analysts and project teams to identify functional gaps, business objectives, and requirements for integration, AI innovation, and digital transformation projects.

Operational Support & Performance

• Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative team culture through coaching, performance management, and accountability.
• Oversee production support activities and ensure timely resolution of application, user account, and data-related issues.
• Direct incident response efforts and coordinate with subject matter experts to drive resolution and deliver post-incident reporting.
• Define and track KPIs to measure team performance, operational maturity, and post-implementation business value.
• Set and manage team and individual performance goals through regular review and feedback processes.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support evolving departmental and institutional priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10 years of progressive experience in enterprise systems, application development, and/or data integration.
• 5 years of experience leading or supervising technical teams.
• 3 years of experience developing AI-driven applications including chatbots, RAG frameworks, agentic AI, or machine learning solutions.
• Experience supporting enterprise ERP, CRM, and cloud-based platforms required.
• Prior experience as a Business Analyst, Project Manager, or Data Analyst preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Technical Expertise

• Deep hands-on expertise with enterprise integration and data technologies including RESTful APIs, JSON, XML, middleware platforms, cloud integrations, and modern web services.
• Strong experience applying Generative AI technologies including LLMs, conversational AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic systems to business solutions.
• Expertise with enterprise databases, ETL processes, cloud data platforms, and reporting/integration capabilities.
• Strong understanding of SaaS, PaaS, and cloud architecture models.
• Knowledge of IT security best practices and change management processes.

Functional & Analytical Skills

• Advanced technical design, data mapping, and analytical skills.
• Experience with the full business analysis lifecycle including process documentation, requirements gathering, workflow design, and solution specification development.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale, cross-functional technology projects.
• Strong business acumen supporting academic and administrative operations within higher education environments.

Leadership & Communication

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Demonstrated adaptability and ability to quickly learn and adopt emerging technologies.