Brookfield Zoo Chicago is seeking an experienced IT leader with proven leadership, coaching and development skills; excellent customer focus and experience building and maintaining strong customer relationships. The applicant should bring strong expertise in enterprise applications management and rationalization, PMO management and project delivery, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity principles, to bring our IT Operations and support of business integration projects to the next level. We are looking for someone who is ready for the challenge and opportunities that growth brings!
- This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by leading the enterprise applications and project management office (“PMO”) functions.
- The Director of Enterprise Applications and PMO is responsible for implementing and operationalizing application lifecycle and portfolio management best practices, ensuring optimal performance and value from the Zoo’s application investments.
- This position also leads the delivery of strategic and tactical projects using a standardized project management methodology, promoting consistency, efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals.
Primary job duties and responsibilities:
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.
- Lead, coach, and manage a team of application and project management professionals responsible for the delivery, enhancement, and support of enterprise systems, including but not limited to ERP, CRM, donor/ticketing platforms, and other core business applications.
- Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of application management best practices, including governance, lifecycle management, change management, vendor management, and user support frameworks.
- Define and maintain a standardized PMO methodology and project delivery toolkit including project intake, prioritization, scope definition, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
- Ensure the successful implementation of new systems and enhancements through structured project plans that align with stakeholder requirements, organizational priorities, timelines, and budgets.
- Develop and maintain an application portfolio roadmap in collaboration with business stakeholders to identify and schedule upgrades, replacements, integrations, and retirements.
- Collaborate with IT leadership and business units to ensure that technology investments deliver value and align with strategic priorities of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
- Lead cross-functional project teams across departments, providing structure, facilitation, risk management, and executive-level reporting to support effective execution and stakeholder alignment.
- Monitor, measure, and report on performance metrics for enterprise applications and project delivery, including application uptime, system performance, user satisfaction, and project delivery KPIs.
- Develop and manage the department’s operating and capital budgets related to enterprise applications and project delivery, ensuring resource alignment and cost-effectiveness.
- Manage vendor relationships related to enterprise applications and implementation services, ensuring contract compliance, SLA performance, and ongoing value delivery.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity.
- Stay current with emerging technology trends, project management standards, and application strategies in the non-profit and zoo/museum industries.
- Other related duties as assigned to assure achievement of goals and objectives.
- Denotes Essential Job Function(s)
Experience Required
- Position requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
- High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
- Seven years of experience in enterprise applications management and/or project delivery in a complex, multi-departmental organization.
- Three years of leadership experience with demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams.
- Experience implementing and supporting enterprise systems such as ERP, CRM, ticketing, fundraising, and operations management platforms.
- Experience and fluency implementing and following risk-based data and information security best practices to protect PII and follow best practice authorization and authentication standards (PCI, HIPAA, NIST, etc.)
- Proven expertise implementing and utilizing project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Agile, Hybrid) and tools.
- Demonstrated ability to align technology solutions with organizational goals and deliver business value.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to effectively interface with stakeholders across business and technical teams.
- Experience managing vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring service delivery to SLA standards. • Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
- English fluency at a professional working proficiency.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
- A valid driver’s license is required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire.
- Desirable/preferred qualifications:
- Experience across sectors, in particular within a zoo, museum, non-profit, or public-sector organization.
- Familiarity with software applications common in midsize business and nonprofit operations, donor management, and guest services.
- Advanced knowledge of application management and governance, business process improvement, and systems integration best practices.
- Project Management Professional (“PMP”), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (“PMI-ACP”), Prosci Change Management, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library (“ITIL”) certification.
- Knowledge of cloud-based applications, SaaS platforms, and enterprise architecture principles.
- Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.
Further Comments
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform.
- Some weekend or evening hours may be required to support critical system launches or incidents, vendor meetings, or Zoo events.
- Occasional travel to conferences or vendor locations may be required.
- If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the BZC Career Portal www.brookfieldzoo.org/careers and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition 213 to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile.
Perks
- https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/5d/5dfac8db-5b35-45d1-8e3c-b37c698b6d43.pdf (please refer to the non-union, full-time employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information.
Salary
- This is a non-union, full-time salaried position, grade 13 with an expected hiring range of $139,265
