Vice President | Applications

CBIZ Benefits and Insurance is separating from CBIZ and building its own technology organization. The VP of Applications will own the application landscape: the platforms that run our Benefits and Insurance businesses, the custom and homegrown systems around them, and the new ERP. You will help decide which applications we keep, replace, or retire, lead the move off CBIZ-provided systems, and build a nimble team focused on delivering business value.

Essential Functions & Primary Duties

• Application strategy and roadmap: Own the application portfolio, architecture direction, build-versus-buy decisions, and modernization of homegrown platforms

• Carve-out execution: Lead application separation, data segregation, and cutover from CBIZ systems. Manage transition services agreements (TSAs) and exit criteria, vendor contract assignment and consent, and Day-One and standalone readiness

• ERP selection and implementation: Participate in the ERP decision (Microsoft Dynamics or NetSuite) and the implementation. Partner with the CFO and business partners on standalone financial reporting, close, and audit readiness

• Technology intake and prioritization: Run the technology intake process so that every request has a strong business case, clear ownership, and a ranked priority. Hold the portfolio to value, cost, and capacity

• Team building: Build a nimble, product-minded team focused on delivering business value. Retain transferred talent and hire where needed

• Apps ecosystem and integration: Understand the overall application and data ecosystem, and direct integration efforts between applications, both now and in the future

• Platform ownership: Manage Salesforce (CRM and Service Cloud), agency management and benefits administration platforms, and other SaaS and off-the-shelf systems

• Custom development: Lead the development and management of homegrown platforms across the full software lifecycle, with secure SDLC practices

• Delivery model: Manage a development organization that blends onshore and offshore partners, including vendor selection, SLAs, and performance management

• AI enablement: Implement AI solutions that improve business operations. Make sure the development team uses AI to raise delivery velocity and automation. Partner on AI governance, data handling, and vendor risk

• Software capitalization: Apply software capitalization processes and policies with Finance, including time tracking and audit support

• Business partnership: Work closely with business leaders in Benefits and Insurance to turn needs into outcomes

• Security and compliance: Work with the infrastructure and security leader on identity, access, and application risk. Support SOC 2 and PHI/PII requirements

Financial management: Own the applications budget, including capex and opex

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 (DORA or similar) and product-oriented delivery models

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field; advanced degree a plus

• 10+ years managing software development teams, with experience at a senior leadership level

• Deep experience managing both custom-built applications and off-the-shelf and SaaS platforms

• Experience implementing a new ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics or NetSuite)

• Experience developing and managing homegrown platforms

• Prior experience in the Benefits and Insurance industry, including agency management platforms (for example Applied Epic or Vertafore AMS360)

• Experience managing Salesforce.com, including CRM and Service Cloud

• Proven ability to understand the overall application and data ecosystem, and to direct integration efforts between applications, both now and in the future

• Experience leading a carve-out, divestiture, or TSA-based separation

• Experience selecting and implementing ETL tools for the enterprise

• 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

• Proven ability to run a technology intake and prioritization process

• Strong collaboration skills and a genuine desire to partner with the business
  

Success Measures

• Applications separated from CBIZ on schedule and within the TSA window

• ERP selected and implemented on time and within budget

• A transparent intake process with business cases and a prioritized roadmap

• Measurable gains in delivery velocity and operational efficiency from AI

• A stable, engaged, high-performing team

• Data warehouse/BI and Reporting: Design, build and deploy a data warehousing strategy for the new organization. Ensure master data management and self service tools are available for all users

Minimum Qualifications

• The successful candidate will be credentialed in applicable areas of expertise (i.e. law, accounting, tax, product/services) with at least ten years of relevant experience in the field or industry.
• Must have strengths in leadership and management from a strategic perspective.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, collaborative with internal groups to reach workable solutions, able to anticipate problems, creatively assess alternatives and manage conflicts.