Business Integration Projects - Director of Enterprise Applications and PMO
 Brookfield Zoo Chicago | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k), employee discount
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 United States, Illinois, Brookfield | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8400 31st Street (Show on map) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Sep 04, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Join the PRIDE! Brookfield Zoo Chicago is seeking an experienced IT leader with proven leadership, coaching and development skills; excellent customer focus and experience building and maintaining strong customer relationships. The applicant should bring strong expertise in enterprise applications management and rationalization, PMO management and project delivery, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity principles, to bring our IT Operations and support of business integration projects to the next level. We are looking for someone who is ready for the challenge and opportunities that growth brings! This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago ("BZC") by leading the enterprise applications and project management office ("PMO") functions. The Director of Enterprise Applications and PMO is responsible for implementing and operationalizing application lifecycle and portfolio management best practices, ensuring optimal performance and value from the Zoo's application investments. This position also leads the delivery of strategic and tactical projects using a standardized project management methodology, promoting consistency, efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals. This is a non-union, full-time salaried position, grade 13 with an expected hiring range of $139,265.31 to $154,932.65 per year. Primary responsibilities of this position include the following: Lead, coach, and manage a team of application and project management professionals responsible for the delivery, enhancement, and support of enterprise systems, including but not limited to ERP, CRM, donor/ticketing platforms, and other core business applications. Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of application management best practices, including governance, lifecycle management, change management, vendor management, and user support frameworks. Define and maintain a standardized PMO methodology and project delivery toolkit including project intake, prioritization, scope definition, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. Ensure the successful implementation of new systems and enhancements through structured project plans that align with stakeholder requirements, organizational priorities, timelines, and budgets. Develop and maintain an application portfolio roadmap in collaboration with business stakeholders to identify and schedule upgrades, replacements, integrations, and retirements. Collaborate with IT leadership and business units to ensure that technology investments deliver value and align with strategic priorities of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Lead cross-functional project teams across departments, providing structure, facilitation, risk management, and executive-level reporting to support effective execution and stakeholder alignment. Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity. Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity. Monitor, measure, and report on performance metrics for enterprise applications and project delivery, including application uptime, system performance, user satisfaction, and project delivery KPIs. Develop and manage the department's operating and capital budgets related to enterprise applications and project delivery, ensuring resource alignment and cost-effectiveness. Manage vendor relationships related to enterprise applications and implementation services, ensuring contract compliance, SLA performance, and ongoing value delivery. Stay current with emerging technology trends, project management standards, and application strategies in the non-profit and zoo/museum industries. Requirements for this position include Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field. High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required. Additionally, seven years of experience in enterprise applications management and/or project delivery in a complex, multi-departmental organization; three years of leadership experience with demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams. Experience implementing and supporting enterprise systems such as ERP, CRM, ticketing, fundraising, and operations management platforms. Experience and fluency implementing and following risk-based data and information security best practices to protect PII and follow best practice authorization and authentication standards (PCI, HIPAA, NIST, etc.) Proven expertise implementing and utilizing project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Agile, Hybrid) and tools. Demonstrated ability to align technology solutions with organizational goals and deliver business value. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to effectively interface with stakeholders across business and technical teams. Experience managing vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring service delivery to SLA standards. Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. English fluency at a professional working proficiency; ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information; and a valid driver's license is required at time of hire. Preferred qualifications include experience across sectors, in particular within a zoo, museum, non-profit, or public-sector organization; familiarity with software applications common in midsize business and nonprofit operations, donor management, and guest services; advanced knowledge of application management and governance, business process improvement, and systems integration best practices. Project Management Professional ("PMP"), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner ("PMI-ACP"), Prosci Change Management, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library ("ITIL") certification. Knowledge of cloud-based applications, SaaS platforms, and enterprise architecture principles. Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Some weekend or evening hours may be required to support critical system launches or incidents, vendor meetings, or Zoo events. Occasional travel to conferences or vendor locations may be required. If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the BZC Career Portal www.brookfieldzoo.org/careers and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition 213 to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago's generous employee benefits. Non-Union Full-Time Employees Eligibility: Eligible employee is defined as a regular, full-time employee who is regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 35 hours or more per week. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Have a family? You can also cover your spouse, civil union partner, and/or eligible children who are under age 26. Time away from work: Paid Time Off (PTO) is accrued based on Years of Service and pay grade on a per-pay-period basis starting on the date of hire. Unused PTO time carries forward from one calendar year to the next to a specified maximum. Below are the equivalent amounts employees, who work 8 hours per day or 10 hours per day, earn in a 12-month period. An employee's pay grade is included in the job description.
Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for 8 paid holidays per year.
Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. A waiver credit is available to employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date.
Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. A waiver credit is offered to employees who waive enrollment in the dental plan. Coverage begins on the employee's hire date. Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to the employee. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors. Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute. Employer-paid Income Protection: Short-Term and Long-Term disability benefits are available which provide up to 60% of the employee's base weekly wages for the first 90 days, then up to 60% of the employee's monthly wages if the employee is unable to return to work. Basic Term Life & Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance policies each in the coverage amount of 1X the employee's annual salary, plus an additional $10,000 in coverage. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in these benefits upon hire. Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Brookfield Zoo Chicago believes in helping eligible employees take advantage of pre-tax savings for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to save for pre-tax reimbursement of qualified healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. Voluntary Benefits: -Supplemental Term Life Insurance - Group Accident Insurance -Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Group Critical Illness Insurance -Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance - Identity Theft Protection Other Benefits & Perks for All Employees (unless otherwise noted) Advanced Inquiry Degree Program Brookfield Zoo Chicago has partnered with Project Dragonfly at Miami University of Ohio to bring an exciting Master's degree program to the Chicagoland area. The Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) is an inquiry-driven learning experience, allowing participants to take classes from Miami University faculty. Enrollment is open to applicants with a bachelor's degree, regardless of academic major or profession. This program is designed for teachers and other education professionals. BZC University The Zoo offers a variety of training, both on-site and via virtual classes and e-learning through Brookfield Zoo Chicago University at no cost to employees, including professional development, skill-building courses, conservation topics, zoo and animal-related topics, safety, leadership development, wellness, and much more. Instructors include guest speakers, staff presenters, and outside trainers. Access Credit Union Employees are eligible immediately upon employment to participate in the credit union. The minimum balance is $5. Savings are insured up to $100,000, and savings accounts, new and used car loans, personal loans, student loans, and much more are available. Blackhawk Work Perks Special offers on Chicago Blackhawks games. Tickets start at $30. Discounted Membership at Loyola Center for Fitness Corporate discount members receive $0 enrollment and 25% off individual dues. Monthly pricing is subject to the number of people on the membership. Discounted Day Care Discounted day care is available through a partnership with KinderCare Education to provide discounted childcare benefits for employees. Covered brands include KinderCare Learning Centers, Children's Creative Learning Center, Inc. (CCLC), and Champions before and after-school care programs. Employees with children enrolled at a participating center save 10% on childcare tuition for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years available at over 100 locations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Employee Discounts Employees may benefit from "Working Advantage," an employee discount program, which offers a wide variety of discounts to staff. Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Discounts are available to staff members through Enterprise-Rent-A-Care for their personal use. Free Flu Vaccines Each year the Zoo offers free, on-site flu vaccinations to all full-time and regular part-time employees. Free Admission and Parking The laminated pass entitles the employee to free parking and admission to the Zoo and paid attractions. The card also extends the same privileges to the employee's immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, children, and parents). Free Admission to Other Cultural Institutions The Zoo has reciprocal agreements with other major Chicagoland cultural institutions which allow employees and certain guests to receive free admission and/or parking pursuant to BZC's policy. Free Notary Public Service Several staff are commissioned Notary Publics and provide free notary services to BZC staff. Freebie Table Consistent with our conservation ethic, we have a "Freebie" table where staff can place unused/unwanted items that still have value for other staff members to claim. This has been a great way to recycle/upcycle by making unused items available to others. Little Free Library: Take a Book. Share a Book. The Zoo has a "Little Free Library" book exchange. If an employee sees a book they would like to read, they can take it, or they may donate a book they have finished. When they are done, they can return it to the Little Free Library or leave it at another Little Free Library location for others to enjoy. Zoo Day Camp Discount Zoo staff who register their child(ren) for Summer Camp at Brookfield Zoo Chicago receive a discounted price for a week of camp for each child registered. The discount is limited to immediate family members only (grandchildren included). Lunch and T-shirts are not discounted. Zoo Discounts Employee discounts are available on BZC gift shop and restaurant purchases, including 25 cent drinks when the Zoo-issued drink cup is used. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||