Business Applications Leader

DPS delivers Full Service Engineering with a ‘client first’ mentality and personal touch across a range of market sectors: Project and Programme Management, Procurement, Design, Construction Management, Environmental Health & Safety Management, Commissioning, Qualification, Start-up and Technical Staffing Support. We have one goal: to deliver more than clients expect first time, every time.To support our ongoing Digital Transformation, we have an excellent opportunity for a Business Applications Leader to join our global IT team. This role requires a “hands-on” individual who enjoys working with technology. This role will involve supporting and maturing existing systems such as ERP/CRM and introducing and supporting new digital capabilities. This role reports directly to the CIO.In this role, you will have responsibility for the following dimensions:Budget: responsibility for applications, tools, services and staffing (permanent and temporary).Applications: Current systems include a Global ERP and CRM application (Deltek) supporting 2000 end users. Future systems include HR IT, Quality and EHS applications.Staff: Currently 2 permanent, together with supervisory responsibility for third-party resources supporting application activity.Summary Responsibilities :Leadership and ManagementOversee all activities that optimise the value, cost and risk of applications.Provide leadership, vision and direction to the applications organisation to ensure it will contribute to the company achieving its goals.Work with CIO and other IT leaders to develop overall IT strategy in the context of the business strategy.Develop productive relationships with business leaders across the organisation to influence how applications can enable new sources of value.Define and enhance methodologies and practices for the application life cycle management in line with best practice and practical experience of continuous improvement.Ensure that applications processes (including those of external service providers) are conducted in line with technical policies and applicable standards and legislation.Manage application group personnel, developing their skills and capabilities to meet the needs of the organisation, as well as identifying and addressing new needs and skills gaps.Implement and manage application life cycle management status reporting, metrics and benchmarks.Manage relationships with major vendors and service providers to ensure they cost-effectively meet the needs of the organisation.Solicit regular feedback from stakeholders on satisfaction with applications, publish the results and, where necessary, implement action plans to improve satisfaction. Application Governance, Strategy and DeliveryEnsure the applications cost-effectively meet the needs of the business by:Overseeing the assessment of the technical and business fitness of the application portfolio and their associated costs and risks.Working with stakeholders and governance to define a prioritised set of business outcomes and application work to accomplish those outcomes within the limitations of the application budget.Overseeing the application organisation's successful delivery of these business outcomes in partnership with business colleagues.Overseeing benefits realisation to ensure that business outcomes are achieved.Overseeing support activities in conjunction with other IT functions to ensure the applications perform well in production.Working with the Cyber Security Lead to ensure that the organisation's applications are effectively secured and that risks are mitigated.Budgeting, Finance and AdministrationResponsible for the day-to-day management of the application organisation (including staffing, budgeting and other relevant management functions) and optimising the cost, risk and value of applications throughout their life cycle.Our Ideal Candidates will have the following experience : An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in computer science, engineering, finance, business management or a related field.Strong knowledge of ERP in the professional services industry. Knowledge of Deltek ERP and CRM is an advantage.5+ years managing a team in application development, implementation or management.10 years of experience in IT covering areas such as Software design/development, application architecture, software as a service (SaaS), software integration, data management/governance and business process analysis.5 years of demonstrated leadership experience building cross-organisational consensus with exposure to technology providers and/or business clients.Experience managing the risk and cost implications of IT contracts or contract negotiations.Experience with Data Analytics, Enterprise Search, Knowledge Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Data Lakes.Membership of professional organisations, trade or user groups and a pattern of regular attendance at industry conferences to enhance knowledge of current technology.Proven Project Management experienceHigh levels of personal integrity when conducting the professional affairs of the organisation and dealing with sensitive and confidential data relating to risks and costs.Strong communication skills with a proven ability to understand key concepts and communicate effectively with technical staff, business stakeholders and senior management.In-depth knowledge and experience of : financial accounting and reporting practices applicable to applications | IT Contracts | IT Applications | Data Processing ToolsWork ArrangementsThis role can be based at our offices in the USA (Framingham, MA; Albany, NY; Conshohocken, PA or Cary, NC) or in Ireland (Cork or Dublin).Travel will be required other global DPS locations (10-15%). This is a days-based role but may involve weekend working or irregular hours dependent on business needs.