Director, Enterprise Software

Work for a first-class organization that is innovative, mission-driven, and dynamic by joining the AIR as a Director, Enterprise Software. We hire talented and forward-thinking professionals to build cross-functional teams and support our mission of solving complex problems through evidence and technology.

The Director, Enterprise Software, is a senior leadership role responsible for the successful planning, execution, and delivery of complex, large-scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) initiatives across the organization, with a strong emphasis on disciplined project management. Reporting into AIR’s Technology Office, this role provides strategic and hands-on leadership for ERP transformations that enable AIR’s operational excellence, scalability, and compliance in support of its nonprofit and federally funded work. 

This position will collaborate closely with executive leadership, functional stakeholders, IT leaders, external vendors, and implementation partners to ensure ERP programs are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and aligned with organizational objectives. This role is ideal for a seasoned ERP leader who thrives in complex environments and brings deep experience delivering ERP solutions within large nonprofits or federal systems integrators. If you are ready to make a significant impact and excel in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you. 

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement based out of AIR’s Arlington, Virginia office and requires being on‑site two to three days per week, with occasional travel for meetings and conferences. 

About AIR

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities

Essential job functions include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage end-to-end ERP Program from planning and requirements definition through deployment, stabilization, and transition to operations.
• Provide strategic and hands-on leadership for large-scale Enterprise HR, Enterprise Finance, and Enterprise Reporting & Analytics Environments, upgrades, and optimizations across platforms.
• Lead complex organizational change with strong risk awareness and sound judgment, anticipating issues, guiding teams through transformation, and making clear, timely decisions in high‑pressure, ambiguous environments.
• Partner with executive sponsors and functional leaders (e.g., Finance, HR, Procurement, Contracts) to align ERP Strategy with business objectives and organizational priorities.
• Oversee ERP program governance, including scope management, budgets, schedules, resource planning, and vendor performance.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for ERP delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to defined quality standards.
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional teams including IT, business SMEs, and external partners while fostering strong alignment through influence, collaboration, and a unifying leadership approach.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks; escalate issues appropriately and drive resolution.
• Establish and maintain clear communication with stakeholders through status reporting, steering committee updates, and formal and ad hoc briefings.
• Ensure ERP solutions meet security, compliance, and regulatory requirements, particularly in federally funded and nonprofit environments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of ERP program management practices, standards, and tools across the organization.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Management, or a related field and at least 8 years of progressive experience leading complex IT or ERP programs; or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 12 years of total relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale ERP implementations within large nonprofits, government agencies, or federal systems integrators.
• Hands-on experience with one or more major ERP platforms, such as PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Advantage, and/or Dayforce.
• Proven ability to manage multi-year, multi-workstream programs with significant budgets and executive-level visibility. Project or program management certification (e.g., PMP, PgMP) is preferred, but not required.

Skills:

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across executive, technical, and functional stakeholder groups.

• Exceptional communication skills, translating complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language for non‑technical audiences.
• Deep expertise in ERP program governance, systems implementation methodologies, and vendor/partner management.
• Proven success in fast‑paced, complex, and highly regulated environments, delivering large‑scale initiatives with discipline and consistency.
• Advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving abilities, with strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated capability in leading organizational change, driving user adoption, and aligning diverse stakeholder groups around new processes and systems.
• Confident adaptability, embracing evolving business needs, new technologies, and unexpected challenges with a resilient, solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to operate independently while fostering strong collaboration across distributed, cross‑functional teams.
• Brings disciplined project management leadership, driving complex ERP initiatives with structured planning, clear milestones, proactive risk management, and consistent delivery across large, cross‑functional teams.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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