Director of Enterprise Data Systems

Colby College; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College seeks an experienced technology leader to serve as the Director of Enterprise Data Systems. You will lead the Workday ecosystem across Student, Finance, and HCM, coordinating with offices and partners to align technology with Colby’s mission.

The role requires deep Workday expertise, a track record of managing complex data environments in higher education, and the ability to guide a hybrid team in delivering high‑quality, customer‑focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise applications management, including at least 3 years of direct support for Workday in a higher education environment.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading information technology teams, preferably in enterprise systems, data integration, and/or ERP.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise data solutions and processes, planning, implementation, integration, and management of cloud-based and on-premise software.
• Oversee Workday ecosystem across Student, Finance, and HCM modules and ensure adoption.
• Manage vendor relationships and post-production support for Workday and third-party software.

Skills

Workday expertise

ERP systems

Data governance

Leadership

Team management

Cloud & on-premise integrations

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Workday (Student/Finance/HCM)

Data integration tools

APIs / middleware

Job description

Job Description Department: Information Technology Services Pay Rate Type: Salary Employee Type:

Job Summary

This position is required to work onsite and will NOT support visa sponsorship. Colby College is seeking an experienced and strategic technology leader to serve as the Director of Enterprise Data Systems. Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, this position plays a critical role in ensuring the stability, optimization, and continued evolution of the College’s enterprise data systems, most notably the full Workday suite (Student, Finance, HCM, Adaptive, Extend) and its associated integrations with other on‑premises and third‑party systems. The director partners with ITS staff, functional offices, technology partners, and consultants to align enterprise technology with Colby’s operational needs, strategic priorities, and long‑term vision. This role requires deep expertise in the Workday platform, proven success supporting complex data environments and solutions in higher education, and the ability to lead a team in delivering high‑quality, customer‑focused solutions. The hiring range for this position is $125,000 - $160,000.

Essential Functions

To be successful in this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that support the role. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Leadership & Strategy

Lead, manage, and directly support data solutions and processes including planning, implementation, integration, and management of cloud‑based and on‑premise software in service to the business and academic mission of the College. Serve as the primary leader for Colby’s Workday ecosystem, ensuring optimal coordination, configuration, functionality, and adoption across Student, Finance, and HCM modules. Collaborate with functional leaders across Enrollment, Academic Affairs, Finance, Student Financial Services, People Services, and other College divisions to align system capabilities with institutional priorities. Drive a culture of continuous improvement in enterprise systems, promoting industry‑standard best practices and maximizing return on the College’s technology investment. Collaborate with functional areas to review system processes that are identified as potential internal control risks across the Workday ecosystem. Identify processes that have potential for improvement and efficiency based on what Colby’s enterprise systems offer. Manage vendor relationships, including post‑production support with Workday and third‑party software providers, to ensure quality service delivery and effective problem resolution. Participate in relevant industry groups representing Colby, staying current on industry trends and technological advancements. Perform additional duties as assigned duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

System Administration & Support

Oversee system configuration, security administration, and release management for Workday Student, Finance, and HCM. Coordinate and prioritize Workday functional requests, defect resolution, and process improvements in partnership with ITS Leadership and institutional functional teams. Lead the planning, testing, and deployment of Workday releases, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and continuous adoption of applicable features. Manage the integration of Workday with other institutional systems (e.g., adaptive, learning management systems, Workday extend, identity management, advancement solutions, reporting, data archive, data warehouse, and analytics platforms). Lead the creation and maintenance of system documentation where appropriate, including business processes, data flows, integrations, and security configurations. Serve as an escalation point for internal functional and technical resources, judiciously utilizing external support resources as needed.

Team Leadership & Project Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a hybrid team of application analysts and platform support personnel, fostering a collaborative and service‑oriented environment. Oversee multiple concurrent projects and initiatives, ensuring on‑time and on‑budget delivery. Utilize structured project management and change management methodologies to guide system enhancements and institutional rollouts. Review monthly external support utilization, identifying recurring areas and strategizing opportunities to handle internally versus utilizing external support resources.

Data & Reporting

Partner with institutional research, data governance, and analytics teams to ensure access to accurate, timely, and actionable data from Workday and integrated applications. Support development of standardized dashboards, operational reports, and compliance reporting to meet academic, administrative, and regulatory requirements.

Position Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field preferred Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise applications management, including at least 3 years of direct support for Workday in a higher education environment. Minimum 3 years of experience leading information technology teams, preferably in the area of enterprise systems, data integration, and/or ERP. Demonstrated expertise in Workday Student, Finance, and HCM modules, including configuration, security, reporting, and integrations. Proven experience managing system releases, testing, and upgrades in a complex ERP environment. Strong understanding of higher education administrative processes and compliance requirements. Strong understanding of higher education culture, including the shared governance model. Experience leading and developing functional and technical teams in a collaborative, customer‑focused environment. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications or Skills

Certification(s) in Workday administration or specific Workday modules such as Student Financials, or Workday Student. Familiarity with API‑based integrations, middleware platforms, and modern data management practices. Experience with business process redesign in conjunction with ERP optimization. Experience with enterprise system project management principles and execution.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy. This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs. In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role. This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations. Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse. Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds. Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed. The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills. The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity. Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world‑class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of more than 2,200 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world‑class research institutions and civic engagement experiences. In a period of fast‑paced progress, Colby is building on its strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes the creation of innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. For more information about the College, please visit our web site: www.colby.edu.