Director, Digital Campus Modernization (Director of Application Services)(supporting Kern Community College District)

Ellucian•Bakersfield, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Application Services of Digital Campus Modernization serves as a senior strategic and operational leader responsible for transforming Kern Community College District’s technology ecosystem into a modern, connected, and student-centric digital campus. This role brings together enterprise applications leadership, ERP optimization, and digital transformation to deliver measurable outcomes in student success, enrollment growth, and institutional effectiveness. Working as part of Ellucian Managed Services and in close partnership with KCCD leadership, this role blends consulting, execution, and innovation—evolving the institution from traditional system support to a technology-enabled, data-driven, and AI-informed organization. The position requires professionalism, confidentiality, organization, prioritization, excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to garner respect and confidence of colleagues through listening, learning, and forging working relationships and synergies across the district.

Requirements

Director-level leadership experience in enterprise applications, ERP (Ellucian Banner strongly preferred), and higher education or similarly complex client environments.
Demonstrated success owning client outcomes in a managed services, consulting, or outsourced delivery model, including accountability for service quality and stakeholder satisfaction.
Proven ability to lead digital transformation, ERP modernization, and SaaS/cloud adoption initiatives at scale, delivering measurable institutional impact
Strong executive presence with the ability to advise senior leadership, influence decisions, and align cross-functional stakeholders to shared priorities
Expertise in enterprise integration, data strategy, analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and automation within enterprise systems environments
Solid program leadership skills with the ability to govern, prioritize, and deliver complex, multi-year initiatives across distributed teams
Experience establishing governance frameworks, vendor management practices, and application lifecycle strategies that optimize cost, risk, and value.
Strong people leadership and team development capabilities, with experience managing blended teams in client-facing environments.
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a strong customer orientation and focus on outcomes

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end campus modernization for KCCD as the accountable service delivery leader for enterprise applications, including Banner ERP, aligning Ellucian Managed Services with institutional strategy and measurable outcomes
Define and execute a multi-year modernization roadmap that advances SaaS adoption, cloud transformation, and a digitally connected campus aligned to student success and operational excellence.
Serve as the primary strategic advisor to KCCD executive leadership, driving alignment between business priorities and technology solutions through governance, prioritization, and transparent decision-making.
Own service delivery performance, ensuring enterprise systems are secure, reliable, optimized, and continuously improved, with strong adoption across the institution.
Lead large-scale transformation programs, including ERP modernization and SaaS migration, with accountability for scope, outcomes, timelines, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Advance integration, data, and analytics capabilities to enable a unified digital ecosystem and support AI-informed decision-making and intelligent operations.
Establish and enforce application and SaaS governance, optimizing the technology portfolio, managing vendors, and ensuring cost-effective, value-driven investments.
Drive process improvement and automation initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce manual effort, and improve the student and employee experience
Lead and develop a high-performing blended team of Ellucian Managed Services and KCCD staff, ensuring effective delivery, strong engagement, and continuous capability growth.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
Flexible time off
Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
Parental Leave
5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
Telemedicine
Wellness
Headspace Care (mental health)
Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver support
Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
Education Assistance Program
Professional development opportunities
LinkedIn Learning