Vice President | Applications

CBIZ•Kansas City, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

CBIZ Benefits and Insurance is separating from CBIZ and building its own technology organization. The Vice President of Applications will own the application landscape supporting the Benefits and Insurance businesses, including core platforms, custom and homegrown systems, and a new ERP. The role will help determine which applications to retain, replace, or retire; lead the move away from CBIZ-provided systems; and build a nimble, product-minded team focused on business value. The VP will own application strategy, architecture, modernization, build-versus-buy decisions, and portfolio prioritization. Responsibilities include leading application separation, data segregation, cutover, transition services agreements, vendor contract assignments and consents, and Day-One and standalone readiness. The role will participate in ERP selection and implementation and partner with Finance and business stakeholders on standalone reporting, close, and audit readiness. The position manages Salesforce CRM and Service Cloud, agency management and benefits administration platforms, and other SaaS and off-the-shelf systems. It also oversees homegrown software across the full lifecycle, secure development practices, application integrations, and a development organization that uses onshore and offshore partners. The VP will implement AI solutions and encourage AI adoption in development, partner on AI governance and vendor risk, work with Finance on software capitalization, and collaborate with business leaders to turn needs into outcomes. The VP will work with infrastructure and security leadership on identity, access, and application risk; support SOC 2 and PHI/PII requirements; and own the applications budget, including capital and operating expenses. The role will also design, build, and deploy a data warehousing strategy, ensuring master data management and self-service tools are available to users. Success is measured by separating applications from CBIZ on schedule and within the TSA window; selecting and implementing the ERP on time and within budget; establishing transparent intake and prioritization; achieving measurable AI-driven improvements in delivery velocity and operational efficiency; and maintaining a stable, engaged, high-performing team.

Requirements

At least 10 years managing software development teams, with experience at a senior leadership level.
At least 10 years of relevant experience in the field or industry, according to the minimum qualifications.
Deep experience managing custom-built applications and off-the-shelf and SaaS platforms.
Experience implementing a new ERP system, such as Microsoft Dynamics or NetSuite.
Experience developing and managing homegrown platforms.
Prior Benefits and Insurance industry experience, including agency management platforms such as Applied Epic or Vertafore AMS360.
Experience managing Salesforce.com, including CRM and Service Cloud.
Ability to understand an application and data ecosystem and direct integrations between applications.
Experience leading a carve-out, divestiture, or TSA-based separation.
Experience selecting and implementing enterprise ETL tools.
Experience managing large SQL environments.
Demonstrated success implementing AI solutions that improve business operations and driving AI use within development teams.
Experience managing teams that use onshore and offshore partners.
Working knowledge of software capitalization processes and policies.
Ability to run a technology intake and prioritization process.
Strong collaboration skills and a genuine desire to partner with the business.
Strengths in strategic leadership and management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate across internal groups, anticipate problems, assess alternatives creatively, and manage conflicts.
Credentialing in applicable areas of expertise, with examples including law, accounting, tax, or product/services.

Nice To Haves

Private equity or sponsor-backed company experience, including board and sponsor reporting.
Experience with integration platforms, carrier and EDI feeds, and data and analytics platforms.
Experience working with the Genesys telephony system.
Familiarity with delivery metrics such as DORA and with product-oriented delivery models.
Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the application portfolio, architecture direction, build-versus-buy decisions, and modernization of homegrown platforms.
Lead application separation, data segregation, cutover from CBIZ systems, TSA management and exit criteria, vendor contract assignment and consent, and Day-One and standalone readiness.
Participate in ERP selection and implementation, and partner with the CFO and business stakeholders on standalone financial reporting, close, and audit readiness.
Run technology intake and prioritization, requiring business cases, clear ownership, ranked priorities, and consideration of value, cost, and capacity.
Build a nimble, product-minded team; retain transferred talent and hire as needed.
Oversee the application and data ecosystem and direct application integration efforts.
Manage Salesforce CRM and Service Cloud, agency management and benefits administration platforms, and other SaaS and off-the-shelf systems.
Lead the development and full-lifecycle management of homegrown platforms using secure SDLC practices.
Manage a development organization using onshore and offshore partners, including vendor selection, SLAs, and performance management.
Implement AI solutions to improve business operations and promote AI use for delivery velocity and automation; partner on AI governance, data handling, and vendor risk.
Apply software capitalization processes and policies with Finance, including time tracking and audit support.
Partner with Benefits and Insurance business leaders to translate needs into outcomes.
Work with infrastructure and security leadership on identity, access, and application risk; support SOC 2 and PHI/PII requirements.
Own the applications budget, including capex and opex.
Design, build, and deploy a data warehousing strategy for the organization and ensure master data management and self-service tools are available to users.
Deliver application separation on schedule and within the TSA window, implement the ERP on time and within budget, maintain transparent intake and a prioritized roadmap, improve delivery velocity and operational efficiency through AI, and maintain a stable, engaged, high-performing team.