Department Manager of Enterprise Applications and Solutions

Job Description

Description

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking an experienced leader with strong technical judgment and a collaborative approach to fill the position of Department Manager of the Enterprise Applications & Solutions Department. Under general direction of the Chief Information Officer, this position will provide operational management and technical leadership for a growing, high-impact portfolio of business applications, including finance and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), customer relationship management (CRM), geographic information systems (GIS), digital workplace, and systems supporting talent management, learning, events, and performance management.

The Department Manager will assume management responsibility for all department services and activities, set priorities for the portfolio, and collaborate with departments across SCAG to turn business needs into effective technology solutions. This position will also support the agency’s cloud ERP implementation, implement AI tools and agents, oversee integrations between enterprise systems, and help the agency strengthen governance practices. If you bring strong technical judgment, experience leading application teams, and a collaborative approach to solving complex challenges, this may be the position for you!

The Enterprise Applications & Solutions department manages SCAG’s enterprise application and solutions portfolio, supporting multiple agency initiatives. The department configures, develops, manages, tests, supports, maintains, integrates, and consults on solutions that include finance, artificial intelligence, digital workplace, public communications, regional metropolitan planning systems, and public-facing information-sharing systems. SCAG is transitioning financial and HRIS functions to Workday, while other platforms are retained, integrated, or retired based on agency need. Major platforms include Microsoft Great Plains (GP), Copilot and Copilot Studio, Power BI, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales/CRM, Finance Management Systems (FMS), ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online, Power Platform, Azure DevOps, and ServiceNow.

WHO WE ARE

As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

As part of our Work@SCAG policy, employees are eligible for two work models: in-office and hybrid. Eligibility for these models will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties, as determined by management. All work models require employees to reside within the SCAG region. This position is expected to follow the hybrid model and be in the office 2 days per week.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.

VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.

SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
  
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
  
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
  
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
  
• Cultivate Belonging: Embrace differences, foster equity, champion inclusion, and empower all.
  

In this role you can expect to

• Direct and oversee the department’s people, technology, services, and strategic partnerships to deliver effective enterprise solutions, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, managing performance, and setting expectations for service delivery.
• Establish and maintain a multiyear enterprise applications roadmap including modernization sequencing, application rationalization, lifecycle status, technical debt, and retirement of legacy or redundant systems.
• Provide technical leadership and sound judgement, helping resolve complex issues, reviewing solution designs and architectural decisions, providing technical oversight for major initiatives, and reviewing consultant work.
• Oversee platform integrations and the staff or consultants responsible for developing, administering, and maintaining connections between enterprise systems.
• Provide management oversight for the cloud ERP implementation, including vendor deliverables, statements of work, and staffing needs.
• Collaborate with departments and leadership to evaluate requests, prioritize projects, and translate business needs into actionable projects.
• Develop and administer the department budget and forecasts, oversee vendor contracts, and monitor vendor performance.
• Ensure application services and projects align with SCAG policies and applicable requirements for information security, data governance, records, and responsible AI use.
• Participate in agency committees and task forces.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to this role

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 7 years of experience in information technology, 4 years of management or direct supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered.

We’ll be a great match if you also have:

• Experience effectively leading technical teams and fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing systems integrators, SaaS providers, managed service providers, or other strategic technology vendors.
• Technical and management experience with cloud-based platforms and enterprise integrations, including solution design, implementation, operations, and vendor oversight.
• Experience with application portfolio management, lifecycle planning, technical-debt reduction, and legacy-system retirement.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply emerging technologies, including AI, identify and prioritize high-value use cases, guide implementation, and drive responsible innovation and modernization
• Demonstrated ability to set clear goals, communicate expectations, and ensure successful completion of projects and deliverables.
• Experience implementing or operating a cloud SaaS ERP, business intelligence and reporting tools, and enterprise application integrations.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information clearly and effectively for staff and stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to build trusting and collaborative working relationships and gain consensus among stakeholders with diverse perspectives.
• Experience applying information security, data governance, records, or responsible AI policies to application services.
• Ability to identify and proactively respond to issues to resolve challenges, and support effective decision-making.
• Commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer-focused service delivery.

Supplemental Information

Please note, this posting will remain open until October 20, 2026 with the first application review taking place on October 5, 2026. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.

Insurance Coverage
Employees may choose from nine HMO and two PPO health plans administered through CalPERS. SCAG contributes the following amounts towards the monthly health premium: $850 for employee only coverage; $1500 for employee plus one dependent; $1800 for employee plus family. Employees may waive SCAG-sponsored health plans by providing evidence of other health coverage each plan year. Upon meeting eligibility requirements, employee is eligible to receive opt out amount of $200 per month, paid as taxable earnings. Premiums for dental and vision are covered 100% by SCAG. Life insurance in the amount of $150,000 is provided by SCAG. Supplemental life insurance is available at a minimal cost to the employee. Short-term and long-term disability insurance plans are provided by SCAG.

Retirement
Employees become members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Effective January 1, 2013, for new members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the retirement formula is calculated at 2% @ 62 with a Three Year Average Formula. In accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the new member will have a mandatory contribution of 7% of reportable compensation. Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six-month break in service between employment with SCAG or in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula.

Empower deferred compensation plan is available and all non-management positions receive a 50% match, up to $1,500. Employees do not pay Social Security.

Paid Parental Leave
12 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care. Employees become eligible for this benefit after 12 months of employment at SCAG.

Holidays
Employees receive 10 designated holidays and 44 hours of Personal Floating Holidays (PFH) per fiscal year, 11 hours for each full quarter worked.

Vacation Accrual
Ten to twenty days per year depending on length of service with SCAG.

0-3 years: 80 hours
4-10 years: 120 hours
11-16 years: 140 hours
17+ years: 160 hours

Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Tax-exempt savings plans are offered to pay for eligible expenses associated with healthcare, dependent care, and parking.

Transit Reimbursement Program
SCAG reimburses up to $230 per month for commute to the office via public transit via bus, rail, or train. Employees must commute a minimum of 8 days per month in order to receive reimbursement for monthly passes.

Flexible Time/Modified Work Week/Telework
Employees may work a modified 9-80 work schedule, with every other Friday off. SCAG offers a flexible work schedule to allow employees some flexibility on daily work hours. SCAG has developed a hybrid workforce program called Work@SCAG to provide two work model options (office and hybrid) to choose from, based on their position, within the SCAG Region.

Technology Allowance
Employees in hybrid and remote work models will receive a one-time stipend of $300 to be used for remote office setup. In addition, all employees receive a $140 monthly technology allowance to cover phone usage for business use and to offset utilities costs while working remotely.

Other Benefits
Educational assistance up to $5,250 per year is offered for qualified courses after one year of employment. Professional membership reimbursement up to $300 per year for professional associations.

Closing Date/Time: 10/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific