Senior Director, IT Strategy, Operations & Execution

The Senior Director, IT Strategy, Operations & Execution serves as the VP, OCIO’s right hand in executing the enterprise IT and Digital Business Services (DBS) strategy and operating model. This leader drives IT governance, financial and supplier performance, strategic execution, and transformation management. The role oversees IT strategy execution, financial planning & analysis, chargebacks, value realization, the Strategic Response Team (SRT), IT post-merger Integration Management Office (IMO), vendor/supplier governance, and the Enterprise Architecture Review Board (EARB).

This position is accountable for building and leading the Strategy Execution Office, managing enterprise-wide performance tracking, and orchestrating transformation initiatives across DBS. The Senior Director also leads organizational redesign, global sourcing models (onshore/GCC), and portfolio governance to ensure disciplined execution, enterprise alignment, and measurable business value.

Critically, this leader brings AI literacy and digital fluency to accelerate operational efficiency, optimize execution, and scale value realization through emerging technologies and innovation frameworks.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Execution & Governance
• Act as trusted advisor and execution partner to the VP, OCIO in delivering the DBS strategy and target operating model.
• Manage OCIO cadence, governance frameworks, and enterprise reporting.
• Build and lead the Strategy Execution Office, ensuring discipline, transparency, and alignment to corporate objectives.
• Oversee the Enterprise Architecture Review Board (EARB).
• Direct board-level reporting, initiative tracking, and cross-functional alignment.

• Financial & Vendor Performance
• Own DBS budget, chargeback model, and financial performance.
• Drive transparency, accountability, and measurable value realization across IT/DBS initiatives.
• Govern supplier performance and oversee major vendor contracts (Accenture, BCG, Salesforce, Workday, etc.).
• Establish strategic supplier management and proactive optimization practices.

• Transformation Leadership
• Lead organizational redesign and modernization of GCC/onshore sourcing models.
• Oversee IT Transformation Management staff and the DBS GCC Coordination Office.
• Drive portfolio governance, escalation management, and enterprise readiness.
• Ensure effective change management and transformation orchestration.

• Innovation & AI
• Establish an Innovation Pipeline Framework to prototype, validate, and scale new capabilities.
• Embed AI, machine learning, and automation into business processes and decision-making.
• Partner with IT and business leaders to identify and deliver opportunities that enhance efficiency, financial optimization, and enterprise agility.

• People Leadership
• Build and mentor a high-performing Strategic Operations team, including senior managers, analysts, and GCC resources.
• Provide leadership development, workforce enablement, and succession planning.
• Foster engagement, retention, and workforce growth aligned to enterprise priorities

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly manage senior managers and analysts across Strategic Operations, Financial Management, Strategic Suppliers, GCC Coordination, and PMI Office.
• Oversee dotted-line resources across financial management, workforce development, and GCC delivery.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and leadership development to ensure execution excellence.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proven ability to lead large-scale IT and enterprise transformations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, chargebacks, and vendor contracts.
• Deep knowledge of IT operating models, governance, sourcing, and portfolio management.
• AI literacy with ability to assess, apply, and govern emerging technologies.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence at senior levels.
• Strong leadership presence, execution discipline, and results orientation.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in IT, Strategic Operations, or related leadership roles.
• 7+ years in executive leadership roles driving enterprise transformation and operational execution.
• Demonstrated track record managing global teams, vendor governance, and enterprise change initiatives.

Other Qualifications:

The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.

• Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.
• Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule – better is the enemy of done. Don’t spend hours when minutes are enough.
• Work with Purpose - Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.
• Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.
• Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.