The Enterprise Applications Manager’s (EAM) role is to supervise and maintain UPEI’s repository of enterprise applications through best practices and the appropriate staffing and management of a technical team. The EAM is also responsible for planning and coordinating the processes required for the provisioning of user applications and systems necessary for university operations. This individual will apply proven communication and problem-solving skills to guide and assist the user community on issues related to the design, development, and deployment of mission-critical information and software systems. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Planning 

• Ensure that applications meet organizational requirements and systems goals, manage, and fulfill end-user requirements, and identify and resolve systems issues. 
• Review and analyze existing applications effectiveness and efficiency, and then develop strategies for improving, leveraging or replacing these systems. 
• Cultivate and disseminate knowledge of application-usage best practices. 
• Develop and collaborate with stakeholders on the long-term sustainable planning and budgeting of UPEI’s enterprise systems. 

Acquisition & Deployment 

• Research and make recommendations on software products and services in support of procurement and development efforts. Evaluate, install, configure, and deploy new applications, systems software, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout the university 
• Collaborate with solution and system analysts, business analysts, and system owners in the testing of new software programs and applications 
• Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality 
• Ensure that any new software integration into university systems meets functional requirements, system compliance, security standards and interface specifications
• Design, develop, and install application enhancements and upgrades
• Coordinate feasibility studies for software and system products under consideration for purchase, and give advice based on findings
• Contribute to pre-testing phase of development by evaluating proposals to identify potential problem areas and make the appropriate recommendations 
• Participate in the negotiation of contracts with software and service providers 
• Liaise with university’s software suppliers for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies

Operational Management 

• Manage and provide direction for the applications team in support of university operations 
• Liaise with ITSS technical staff to assist with quality assurance, program logic, and data processing
• Compile and maintain inventory of university software and systems assets and their corresponding contracts/agreements 
• Develop and communicate training opportunities and documentation for end users, hold user groups sessions as necessary, and other user-related activities
• Develop, distribute, and coordinate in-depth end-user reviews for modified and new systems or applications

Data and Information Management 

• Lead the design and development of comprehensive data models, schemas, and architectures to support the university’s data needs, including student information systems, academic research, institutional planning, and administrative operations
• Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to understand business requirements, gather data requirements, and translate them into scalable and efficient data solutions
• Lead the implementation and maintenance of data integration processes, ETL pipelines, and data transformation workflows to ensure seamless data flow across different systems and sources
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate database technologies, tools, and platforms to meet the university’s evolving data storage, processing, and analysis requirements
• Establish and ensure data governance policies, standards, and best practices to ensure data quality, integrity, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Lead efforts to optimize data performance, troubleshoot data-related issues, and provide technical guidance and support to internal teams on data-related projects and initiatives
• Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in data architecture, database management, and data analytics to drive continuous improvement and innovation

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Four-year college diploma or university degree preferably in computer systems design or computer science, data science, business administration and 5years of relevant work experience
• Certifications in project management, business process analysis, requirements gathering, solution design and development, vendor management, enterprise application support (ERP/CRM), data science or a combination thereof would be considered an asset
• Five years direct experience managing applications and/or systems management
• Proven experience in overseeing the direction, development, and implementation of software solutions 
• Direct, hands-on experience with automated software management tools and AI (Artificial Intelligence) would be considered an asset 
• Strong knowledge of system and software quality assurance best practices and methodologies required
• Extensive experience with core software applications, including Ellucian Colleague, Microsoft BI (Business Intelligence), Pentaho would be considered an asset 
• Project management skills and/or substantial exposure to project-based work structures would be an asset
• An excellent understanding of the higher education goals and objectives would be an asset
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws would be considered an asset 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills
• Strong customer-service orientation
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language 
• Ability to conduct research into application issues and products
• Highly self-motivated and directed
• Keen attention to detail
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment