Department Information

University Information and Technology Services

Job Summary

The Director of Application and Data Services provides strategic and operational leadership for enterprise application management, data architecture, system integrations, analytics, and web services at Columbus State University. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this position oversees the Banner ERP ecosystem and related enterprise applications, leads data governance initiatives, supports institutional analytics for student success and operational effectiveness, and manages the university's transition planning for enterprise system modernization including Workday preparation. The Director supervises technical staff, collaborates with academic and administrative stakeholders across campus, and ensures that application and data services align with the university's strategic priorities and University System of Georgia (USG) requirements.

Responsibilities

Significant Duties & Responsibilities include: Enterprise Application Management (30% ) - Direct the administration, account management, maintenance, upgrading, and integration of central campus information systems including the Banner ERP ecosystem, PeopleSoft (HCM and Finance), and supporting applications. Ensure system performance, reliability, and security for enterprise applications supporting student services, human resources, finance, and academic operations. Manage vendor relationships, coordinate system patches and upgrades, and oversee user acceptance testing, sign off and deployment. Lead Workday/unified ERP preparation activities including data standardization, quality assessment, and current-state process documentation for Finance, HR, and Student systems.; Data Architecture and Governance (20%) - Establish and maintain the university's data architecture, including database structures, data flows, integration patterns, and data quality standards. Serve on the Data Governance Committee, develop the enterprise data dictionary, and implement data stewardship practices across campus. Ensure data integrity, security, and appropriate access controls for institutional data assets. Assist with coordination of data reporting and compliance requirements for USG, SACSCOC, and federal reporting obligations.; Team Leadership and Staff Development (15%) - Supervise, mentor, and evaluate application and data services staff and technical team members. Plan, organize, and direct the work of the Application and Data Services team. Recruit, hire, and train staff. Foster a collaborative, service-oriented work environment that emphasizes professional growth, accountability, and continuous improvement. Coordinate staff training and professional development plans aligned with UITS transformation goals.; Analytics and Institutional Reporting (15%) - Provide leadership for institutional analytics that support student success initiatives, retention analysis, and operational decision-making. Oversee the development of dashboards, reports, and data visualizations for university leadership. Collaborate with Institutional Research, Academic Affairs, and Enrollment Management to deliver actionable data insights. Support the university's strategic priorities through data-informed recommendations.; Strategic Planning and IT Leadership (10%) - Serve as a member of the CIO's IT leadership team, participating in departmental budgeting, strategic planning, and governance activities. Contribute to the IT project portfolio and prioritization process. Evaluate emerging technologies, recommend solutions, and develop business cases for system investments. Collaborate with the CISO on application security, access management policies, and compliance requirements. Support AI strategy development and implementation.; Web Services Oversight (5%) - Provide direction for the university's web services team and web-based campus systems. Ensure web applications meet accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2/Section 508), integrate appropriately with enterprise systems, and support the university's digital presence and student-facing services.; Other Duties as Assigned (5%) - Represent UITS on university committees and working groups as assigned. Support special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and perform additional duties as needed to advance UITS operations and the university's strategic goals.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications include: Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, data management, or a related field required.; Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in information technology with at least three years in a supervisory or management capacity.; 8-10 years progressively responsible IT experience with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.; Experience managing enterprise applications (ERP, SIS, or equivalent) in a complex organizational environment required.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications include: Master's degree preferred.; Higher education experience strongly preferred.; Experience with Banner, PeopleSoft, or Workday is highly desirable.; Knowledge of ITIL framework, service management practices, and data governance principles preferred.; 10-15 years of progressively responsible IT Experience.

Proposed Salary

The proposed annualized salary range for this position is $86,432 - $95,702 and includes full benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities include: Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise application administration, including ERP systems (Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday, or similar), database management, and system integration methodologies.; Strong understanding of data architecture principles, data governance frameworks, and institutional analytics in a higher education environment.; Experience with SQL, database platforms, reporting tools, and business intelligence technologies.; Knowledge of project management methodologies and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and deadlines.; Proven leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to build, develop, and motivate technical teams in a service-oriented environment.; Effective communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, present to senior leadership, and collaborate across academic and administrative units.; Understanding of information security principles, access management, and compliance requirements including FERPA, NIST, and USG cybersecurity standards.; Knowledge of web technologies, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2/Section 508), and web application integration with enterprise systems.; Ability to exercise sound judgment regarding confidential student, employee, and financial data.; Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies including faculty, staff, students, vendors, and USG partners in a collaborative university environment.; Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to develop strategic plans, manage budgets, and align technology investments with institutional priorities.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Special Applicant Instructions

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