Chief Application & Analytics Officer (Finance) - Finance Strategy & Operations

Texas Woman's University•Denton, TX

32d

About The Position

The Chief Application & Analytics Officer (CAAO) serves as the senior leader responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of Finance & Administration's enterprise applications and for advancing the use of data analytics to generate actionable insights. The CAAO leads the team that implements, optimizes, and sustains critical technology solutions that support operational excellence across the institution. The role is primarily focused on leading and managing a team responsible for application configuration, system integration, troubleshooting and issue resolution, security and role administration, and the ongoing maintenance of third-party and enterprise systems including Oracle Fusion Cloud Financials. The CAAO ensures that applications function cohesively and that the data they produce is reliable, accessible, and aligned with business needs. In addition, the CAAO partners closely with the Associate Vice President for Finance Strategy & Operations to develop and execute both short and long term strategic roadmaps. This includes contributing to planning and governance, providing project and change management leadership, and driving process improvements that advance the university's strategic goals and enhance Finance & Administration's overall effectiveness. Work is performed under minimal supervision and performance is based on the effective operation of the administrative function. Performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the university policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred. Additional job related experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in financial and administrative systems management. Supervisor experience required.
Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.
Experience in a management or leadership role with a demonstrated ability to develop and lead high-performing teams, manage operations, and oversee budgets.
Ability to think strategically about technology applications and leverage systems to solve business problems.
Commitment to continuous assessment and improvement, including the use of performance metrics and data-driven decision-making.
Experience leading organizational or technology change initiatives, including change management and stakeholder engagement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate across a diverse and inclusive environment.
Proficiency with personal computers and standard office equipment, including productivity software, collaboration tools, and email systems.

Nice To Haves

Professional knowledge or experience with ERP systems
Professional knowledge or certification in project management
Relevant technology solution experience or certifications
Ability to develop, implement, and manage effective governance frameworks aligned with IT or shared-service operating models.
Demonstrated skill in budgeting, financial planning, and business operations. Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and application development processes.
Knowledge of business process analysis, process mapping, and workflow optimization.
Knowledge of enterprise application support, reporting and data analytics, solution development, and system integrations.
Familiarity with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA) as applied to enterprise applications.
Ability to prioritize, manage, and execute tasks effectively in a fast-paced or high-pressure environment.
Demonstrated capability in conflict resolution, influence, negotiation, and building consensus.
Knowledge of IT governance practices and system administration within the higher education environment (preferred).
Knowledge of Texas Administrative Code (TAC 202) and related security/compliance requirements (preferred).

Responsibilities

Assists in forecasting short and long term financial needs for system enhancements, licensing, maintenance, staffing, and strategic projects, aligning budget planning with organizational priorities
Identifies opportunities for cost optimization, including streamlining system portfolios, reducing redundancies, and leverage enter-wide technologies
Engages in governance groups to support strategy, planning, policy development, and service delivery.
Helps to determine process optimization priorities and ensures resources are allocated accordingly
Recommends enhancements and investments to support strategic goals, improve processes, user experience and/or reduce costs
Directs and manages day-to-day operations of Finance & Administration enterprise applications, including implementation of technical solutions, configuration, optimization, integrations, data analytics and maintenance and continuous improvement
Directs and manages full lifecycle of support tickets, from intake and prioritization to resolution and closure, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and ITIL best practices
Leads the development and executive of reporting and data analytics capabilities that deliver actionable insights to support decision-making
Administers system security, roles, and access controls to ensure compliance, data integrity, and proper segregation of duties.
Leads and oversees major system upgrades, enhancements, implementations, and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely delivery
Ensures high availability, reliability, and security of the application ecosystem.
Implements industry standards, legislative requirements, and best practices consistently.
Continuously assesses and improves processes, services, and systems.
Tracks and reports on key metrics and SLAs for application services.
Establishes protocols for support and ensures timely response.
Leads, mentors, coaches employees to develop a high-performing applications and analytics team, ensuring strong technical capability and customer-focused service
Promotes ongoing learning, professional development, and cross-training to build organizational resilience and expertise
Conducts performance appraisals and participates in hiring processes.
Builds strong partnerships with key stakeholders and actively participates in university activities and committees.
Cultivates and formalizes vendor relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring performance.
Develops a network of peers at comparable institutions and represents the university at meetings and conferences.
Performs other duties as requested.