OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Director - IT ERP Systems is responsible for delivery of SEPT A's Enterprise Resource Planning system, from shaping the approach to achieving the desired outcomes through delivery. The position involves project coordination and resource management within the program, stakeholder and sponsor communications, reporting and program financial management. This role ensures technology initiatives align with authority's goals through effective application strategy, cross-functional collaboration and end to end project management. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the end-to-end ERP program lifecycle from initial planning through implementation support.
• Leads and manages project implementation teams comprised of SEPT A employees and System Integrators across various business units.
• Develops the overall approach for the ERP program, including major timeframes and deliverables, to meet desired goals and outcomes.
• Partners with the executive sponsor to communicate program goals, objectives, and potential outcomes.
• Maintains regular interactions with the executive sponsor to inform, alert, negotiate, and sustain a shared vision for the program outcome.
• Creates and manages complex enterprise-wide project plans and leads activities to manage scope, budget, dependencies, risks, and schedules for SEPTA's Financial, HR, Payroll, and CRM implementations, ensuring adherence to timelines and financial constraints.
• Partners with stakeholders (e.g., business units, IT teams, system integrators) to drive timely delivery of solutions across all project phases (analysis, design, build, test, deploy).
• Ensures the solution is scalable to high volume, flexible for future enhancements, and upgradable to next-generation platforms, minimizing customizations.
• Conducts regular stakeholder meetings to provide updates, gather feedback, and address concerns.
• Implements quality assurance processes to ensure project deliverables meet defined standards and requirements.
• Develops and executes change management plans, including training, to facilitate smooth transitions to new systems and processes.
• Establishes key performance indicators (KPis) to measure project success and track progress against goals.
• Assesses resource needs and coordinates with management to allocate appropriate personnel and expertise.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of solutions with existing systems and processes.
• Coordinates multiple workstreams and cross-functional teams across the organization.
• Collaborates with SEPT A IT leadership and vendors to define and track technical requirements and architecture.
• Oversees all aspects of system build, including configuration, customization, data migration, and integration activities.
• Develops and maintains detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets. Provides a structured project plan that integrates with System Integrator (SI) plans and coordinates activities throughout the planning process. Reviews SI plans, schedules, effort, and assumptions based on leading ERP implementation practices.
• Oversees execution of independent verification and validation activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Manages project changes and ensures proper change control procedures are followed. In coordination with the System Integrator and IT PMO, establishes processes for managing changes to requirements, scope, schedule, or budget through a formally defined scope change process. 
• Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises or hazards affecting operations, the public, self and/or other employees. Responsible for personal safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in application development with increasing complexity required.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience managing large, complex, and matrixed organizations required.
• 10+ years of experience leading ERP maintenance and support teams, including enhancements and upgrades required.
• Demonstrated experience leading at least three full life-cycle ERP implementations (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday, Salesforce) required.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing, matrixed teams composed of IT and business stakeholders required.
• Track record of driving large-scale, cross-functional transformation initiatives by developing and executing strategies that align technology with business performance goals required.
• In-depth knowledge of enterprise application platforms, cloud computing, and emerging technologies required.
• Ability to translate strategic business goals into effective technology solutions required.
• Experience managing large portfolios of programs/projects, including prioritization and resource allocation to support critical business initiatives required.
• Proven success in building and scaling application and mobile products that deliver measurable business outcomes required.
• Experience establishing secure integration architecture frameworks across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments required.
• Demonstrated expertise in technology frameworks such as ITIL, DevOps, and NIST-CSF required.
• Proficiency in leveraging Agile methodologies to support continuous and high-quality product delivery required.