Business Applications Director

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. The Director of Business Applications is responsible for management and support of Essential Utilities enterprise application systems including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Information Systems, Field Service and Asset Management applications, and applications that support corporate functions such as Finance, HR, Legal, etc. and all their associated supporting data. The Director also has overall responsibility for the design, support, maintenance, development, deployment, and enhancement of the enterprise's software applications, data, and business intelligence platforms. The role is accountable for planning and overseeing technical support & development while working collaboratively with business units to deliver technical solutions that meet goals and objectives. Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Let's Talk! ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Select, implement, and direct all aspects of IT applications including SAP, Banner, Service Link, Ventyx, Gas and Energy trading operating systems, business supporting software, disaster recovery, and compliance systems. Collaborate with business unit leaders, technology leaders and CIO to determine the company's IT requirements, establish priorities and budgets. Ensure successful achievement of business strategies while aligning with best practices and the enterprise technical strategy Assist in development of strategic and tactical plans for providing applications support for all systems within established capital and O&M budgets. Direct the research, evaluation, and selection of vendors/products to achieve IT service level agreements and business unit objectives. Direct the development of technical specifications, Participate in vendor negotiations, perform cost/benefit analysis, and advise/assist the business in preparing business cases. Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business and manage the performance of direct reports including the implementation of training and development plans. Maintain extensive knowledge of information technology relevant to scope of responsibility. Monitor industry trends and vendor strategies to achieve business requirements and service level agreements in a cost-effective manner. Collaborate with business units to establish disaster recovery and business continuity plans. Develop and maintain application support guidelines, standards, and controls. Perform managerial administrative duties including planning & budgeting, cost management, security reviews and approvals, SOX and other audit support, policy reviews, etc. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s). QUALIFICATIONS: 10 years' experience working in SAP including managing technical teams; fifteen (15) years' preferred experience leading teams responsible for requirements gathering, solution design, development and support of ERP and business applications (off-the-shelf/custom). Vendor management experience Demonstrated leadership experience of an organization consisting of 30+ team members including managers, team leaders, individual contributors, and outside consultants/contractors. Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent required. Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business or equivalent preferred. Demonstrated related experience may be substituted for preferred education. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Extensive knowledge in diverse information technologies, architectures, support methodologies and IT best practices. Understanding of key business activities in the utilities industry including compliance requirements. Strong experience in application development, including custom applications, web applications and mobile technology Strong experience in executing projects employing different SDLC's - Waterfall, Agile, iterative. Strong project management skills including project management software expertise. Progressive leadership and management skills. Strong business acumen including contract interpretation, cost analysis, and budgeting. Superior customer service, technical, analytical, and problem resolution skills. Strong communication skills (verbal, written, presentation, and listening). WORKING CONDITI O NS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity. Operate standard office equipment. Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable) Travel Requirements up to 20% (for overnight travel is required) The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential Utilities, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Essential Utilities is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (). To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship Family members cannot work in the same department.

Created: 2024-11-05