Vice President, Applications - Boston Properties

Primary Purpose of Position:



The position is responsible for the overall management of business applications, systems and related activities. The position closely partners with business leads to identify opportunities, requirements and service levels that drive process efficiencies and align to corporate objectives, and manages and develops talent, capabilities, and capacity to execute projects and support.







BXP maintains a robust portfolio of business applications and systems supporting both its enterprise and building operations across the United States. Join and lead a highly collaborative team that values customer service, drives business impact and facilitates the work of its corporate and real estate disciplines for a dynamic public company. The successful candidate will take ownership of the application development, management, and enhancements for key business applications including but not limited to: Oracle JD Edwards, Procore, Argus, FloQast, reporting tools, and other platforms. This role ensures appropriate measures and controls are implemented to secure applications and meet legal, compliance and change management requirements in a hybrid cloud environment.







Essential Functions:







Planning and Analysis





+ Ensure that applications meet business requirements and systems goals, fulfill end-user requirements, and identify and resolve systems issues.



+ Review and analyze existing applications effectiveness and efficiency, and then develop strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.



+ Cultivate and disseminate knowledge of application-usage best practices.



+ Develop an annual investment plan for applications and systems, assess cost and feasibility of system requests and ensure the plan supports both strategic and near-term needs.



+ Research and make recommendations on software products and services in support of procurement and development efforts.



+ Evaluate new applications, systems software, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout the enterprise.



+ Collaborate with analysts, designers, and system owners in the testing of new software programs and applications.



+ Analyze documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality.



+ Ensure that any new software integration into company systems meets functional requirements, system compliance, and interface specifications.



+ Coordinate feasibility studies for software and system products under consideration for purchase, and give advice based on findings.



+ Contribute to pre-testing phase of development by evaluating proposals in order to identify potential problem areas and make the appropriate recommendations.









Project Management





+ Direct the management of projects and the achievement of milestones. Partner and collaborate with the corporate services departments and other stakeholders on deliverables and work plans. Serve the role of project manager and facilitate the work of cross-functional teams and outside contractors.









Application Development





+ In partnership with the VP of Applications Development and Data Services, assess and expand our current data integrations to reflect the changing needs of our business partners.



+ Have overall responsibility for the development, release, and maintenance of company business applications that support corporate services.



+ Analyze requirements for new applications and define enhancements to existing applications.



+ Lead the implementation and training activities for new applications along with ensuring that supporting documentation is provided.



+ Direct the development, release, and maintenance of company business applications. Ensure the implementation and use of a full life cycle development methodology.



+ Analyze requirements for new applications, draft system specifications and ensure proper review cycles.



+ Manage external partner relationships to ensure that projects are delivered on budget and in a timely manner.









Reporting Services





+ Direct and have overall responsibility for the proper use of reporting tools across all data sources.



+ Oversee the administration and support of reporting tools platforms.









Maintenance and Support





+ Implement controls and security strategies to safeguard corporate data in partnership with the Information Security team.



+ Develop operating procedures and routines for integrity testing.



+ Resolve and troubleshoot problems. Escalate technical issues to internal staff and liaise with company’s software vendors for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies.



+ Participate in ongoing audits of application usage and provide direct feedback to users. Make recommendations on continued enhancements.



+ Develop and communicate training and documentation for end users, hold clinics as necessary, and other user-related activities.





Internal Operations





+ Manage a team to support technical and business needs. Coordinate staff development to ensure appropriate technical training in support of corporate standards.



+ Establish and maintain a high level of client trust and confidence in the team’s knowledge of, and concern for, clients’ business issues; facilitate communication between IS and other departments.



+ Oversee the compliance program for all application licenses.



+ Perform active account management with service providers and vendors.



+ Collaborate with other business units to ensure the successful implementation and support of project efforts.



+ Maintain documentation in accordance with policies and control requirements.



+ Conduct both one-on-one instruction and group training sessions.



+ Research, evaluate and stay current on emerging tools, techniques, and technologies.



+ Special projects as assigned.









Requirements and Qualifications:





+ A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Information Systems or related field required.



+ A minimum of 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in managing and supporting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and configuring applications for an organization of similar scope and complexity required.



+ Possess a strong working knowledge of Oracle’s JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Yardi, MRI or other ERP platform



+ Experience leading enterprise ERP upgrades



+ Possess solid management skills with strong understanding of project cycles, software development environments, and source control techniques.



+ A track record designing and implementing complex databases/applications using a full lifecycle process. Possess a strong understanding of relational databases, database architecture & data access tools.



+ Vendor management and negotiations experience in development of effective partnerships with vendors.



+ Solid teamwork and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with employees and contractors.



+ Strong knowledge and understanding of business and business processes; knowledge of real estate business practices, finance, and accounting preferred.



+ Excellent oral and written communication skills; an ability to present and discuss technical information in a way that establishes rapport, persuades others, and gains understanding.



+ Solid project management skills, effectively arranging resources and managing multiple projects in a cross-functional environment.



+ Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills.



+ Ability to effectively adapt to rapidly changing technology and apply it to business needs.



+ Be able to travel and to work flexible schedules outside normal business hours when required.









Physical Requirements:





+ Involves work of a general office nature usually performed sitting such as operation of a computer.



+ Involves work of a general office nature usually performed standing such as operation of a fax and printer.



+ Involves movement between departments to facilitate work.









Internal and External Contacts:





+ This position regularly interacts in both verbal and written form with employees and contractors of BXP.









Reporting Structure:



This position reports to the SVP, Chief Information Officer who provides supervision, guidance and evaluates work performance on a periodic basis.







BXP is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected characteristic.



Boston Properties is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fair and impartial treatment in all of our relations with employees, as well as applicants for employment, to recruit, upgrade, train, and promote in all job titles without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected characteristic.