Director, Business Applications

About Our Organization:

We are committed to transforming capital markets to drive an equitable clean energy transition at scale. Climate United focuses its investments in Distributed Power Generation and Storage, Building Decarbonization, and Electric Transportation.

As a subsidiary of Calvert Impact, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the successful candidate will be joining a team dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and society.

Job Description:

The Director of Business Applications oversees the IT-based systems and tools, including purchased, SaaS, and custom-built solutions. In collaboration with business system owners, ensures that the solutions support business unit objectives, and allows the business unit to achieve business unit goals effectively and efficiently in a cost-effective, and technically-sound, manner.

This role drives the organization’s technological advancement, ensuring that the applications securely support and enhance business unit productivity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure applications meet business needs and user requirements effectively.
• Evaluate and prioritize application projects based on their potential business impact and alignment with strategic goals.
• Oversee the lifecycle management of all business applications, including requirements gathering, design, development, deployment, maintenance, upgrades, and retirement. Manage the upgrade cycle for existing applications to ensure they remain up-to-date and secure.
• Work collaboratively with department heads, business system managers, and IT project manager to ensure business application projects are delivered successfully.
• Manage relationships with software vendors and third-party service providers.
• Oversee the selection of new solutions and manage the portfolio of existing applications to maximize their value and efficiency.
• Ensure all business applications comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards.
• Manage risks related to software procurement, development, and deployment.
• Implement security policies and procedures related to application usage and data protection.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging the adoption of modern technologies and practices.
• Monitor application performance, troubleshooting and resolving issues as they arise to minimize impact on business operations.
• Lead the implementation of change management processes for deploying business applications.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of business applications relevant to the financial services industry, such as investment/ loan origination, accounting, and servicing systems, ERP/accounting Systems, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Microsoft M365, and other industry-specific solutions.
• Knowledge of database management, data analytics, and BI tools to support decision-making and business process improvements.
• Experience leading and managing system integration projects.
• Experience managing integration solution vendors.
• Project management skills, including experience with project management software and methodologies.
• Strong leadership skills to motivate and guide teams towards achieving business and IT goals.
• Excellent communication and people skills to effectively collaborate with other business leaders, stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Experience with change management processes and tools, understanding how to manage the human side of change related to business applications.
• Skills in negotiating and managing contracts with software vendors, service providers, and consultants.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in managing business applications, IT project manager, or similar positions.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%, primarily within the US, and ability to work from the Washington, DC area or be willing to come into the office quarterly for team collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with software development processes and methodologies, including agile and DevOps practices a plus.
• Master’s degree, such as an MBA or MS in Information Technology, is desirable.