Position Summary
The Director of Enterprise Applications provides strategic leadership and oversight of NAIS’s enterprise application portfolio, ensuring systems are secure, reliable, and aligned with organizational priorities while supporting both staff and member-facing services.
This role leads the strategy and delivery of internal and member-facing applications and key platforms— including SSO, Career Center, the website, event registration, Data Vista, LISCO, DASL, School Surveys, SaaS solutions, and future data environments — spanning enterprise platforms and rapid iteration initiatives. The Director drives alignment across application development, vendor partnerships, governance practices, and emerging technology integration, including the thoughtful application of AI-enabled capabilities.
The Director works in partnership with the Vice President for Information Technology to engage NAIS staff in the selection and implementation of internal applications, including identifying requirements, evaluating solutions, and supporting organization-wide adoption and training for effective and coordinated use. The Director also serves as a key ambassador for NAIS’s member-facing platforms, engaging with school leaders and representing the organization’s technology offerings at NAIS events, as appropriate.
Responsibilities:
Application Strategy, Architecture & Innovation
- Oversee NAIS’s enterprise application portfolio, ensuring systems are stable, secure, scalable, and aligned with organizational priorities across the full development lifecycle.
- Lead the continuous improvement of internal and member-facing applications, including SSO, Career Center, the website, event registration, and Data Vista as it integrates Market View, LISCO, DASL, School Surveys, and future data environments.
- Guide system architecture and integrations (including SSO) to maintain a cohesive, reliable, and well-functioning technology ecosystem.
- Champion the thoughtful integration of AI-enabled capabilities across NAIS applications to enhance organizational effectiveness and member value.
- Evaluate trends and recommend a strategic approach of custom-built and third-party solutions to meet evolving organizational and member needs.
Governance, Security & Service Delivery
- Establish and support governance frameworks for application intake, prioritization, and delivery to ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Ensure applications are developed and maintained in accordance with industry standards for security, compliance, and performance.
- Strengthen service management practices, including performance monitoring, issue resolution, and reporting, to support a high level of service delivery.
Stakeholder, Vendor & Organizational Leadership
- Partner with internal teams and leadership to define business needs, set priorities, and align application initiatives with strategic goals.
- Serve as a key liaison between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring clarity, communication, and shared understanding.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for application vendors, overseeing contracts, service delivery, and performance.
- Manage external partners and internal resources to ensure high-quality execution and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Represent NAIS platforms externally as appropriate, including engagement with member schools and participation in NAIS events.
Additional Responsibilities
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- 7+ years in IT leadership, application management, or program management
- 2 + years of hands-on software development experience
- 2+ years of integrating generative and agentive ai systems into application development workflows and customer-facing products.
- Experience managing enterprise applications in a vendor-driven environment
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Knowledge of software development and project management processes. Agile methodology and continuous delivery experience
- Knowledge of current application and ai development security frameworks
- Experience managing both contracted and internal staff
- Experience developing and maintaining multi-year operational budgets
- Preferred:
- Experience in nonprofit, education, or association environments
- Familiarity with data platforms, web systems, and identity management (SSO)
Competencies
- Strategic Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to set vision, drive alignment, and lead complex projects across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Collaboration & Relationship Building: Builds effective partnerships with internal teams, external consultants, and key stakeholders; fosters trust and open communication.
- Project Management: Manages multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, quality outcomes, and adaptability to changing priorities.
- Analytical & Systems Thinking: Synthesizes data, system requirements, and organizational needs to inform decision-making and solution design.
- Change Management: Guides teams through technology and process changes, supporting adoption and effective implementation.
- Effective Communication: Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Position Attributes
- HR Role: Director
- Status & Classification: Regular, Full-Time
- Business Unit: Information Technology
- Supervisor: Vice President, Information Technology
- Location: Remote in the United States
- Physical Requirements: Ability to operate standard office equipment and travel as required.
- Travel: Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time for in-person meetings at the Washington, DC headquarters, attendance at conferences, and participation in other professional development activities.
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Disclaimer: This document describes the position currently available. It is not an employment contract. NAIS reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time, as determined by the needs of the organization.
Bachelor's or equivalent, 7+ years IT leadership/app management, 2+ years software development, EM/AI integration experience, vendor and budget management, strong stakeholder and communication skills, Agile experience.
Key Responsibilities
- leading strategy
- managing applications
- engaging stakeholders
Skills & Tools
SSO, Career Center, Data Vista, LISCO, DASL, Market View, Agile, AI
Job Details
- Category: Information Technology
- Seniority: Senior Level
- Commitment: Full Time
- Workplace: Remote — Washington or United States
- Salary: USD 125,000 – 140,000 / year
- Languages: English
About National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
A membership association supporting independent schools with programs, services, and technology to advance school leadership and effectiveness. — Industry: Education