Manager - Enterprise Applications, Data & Integration

Role Overview

The Manager of Enterprise Applications and Integration at KAUST plays a critical strategic and operational leadership role, guiding the vision, execution, and enhancement of the university’s core institutional platforms. Positioned within the multifaceted environment of higher education, this leader oversees technical teams managing pivotal systems such as SAP ERP, Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), and CRM platforms. Additionally, they oversee software development and integration activities.

Working collectively with business unit leaders, this position ensures that applications are secure, contemporary, smoothly integrated, and aligned with KAUST’s priorities in research excellence, student achievement, faculty instruction, and administrative efficiency. The manager leads specialist teams including the Integration Engineering Lead, maintaining technical credibility while fostering modern architecture, Agile/DevOps methodologies, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business owners to define and evolve the enterprise application roadmap, transitioning from legacy on-premise systems to agile SaaS platforms that support strategic objectives.
• Manage complex relationships with vendors and system integrators, including negotiating contracts, overseeing SLAs, and maintaining partnerships with providers such as Ellucian, SAP, Microsoft, and Blackboard.
• Promote data accessibility across departments by ensuring enterprise systems eliminate silos between academic, financial, and student services data.
• Serve as a strategic collaborator to business leaders like the Registrar, CFO, Chief People Officer, vice presidents, and directors in translating business goals into application strategies.
• Lead transformation of delivery frameworks by shifting teams from waterfall to product-focused agile and DevOps models suited for complex enterprise solutions.
• Implement disciplined application lifecycle management practices encompassing automated testing, rigorous release management, and maintenance periods aligned with the academic calendar.
• Partner with internal stakeholders including the Chief Information Security Officer and Enterprise Architecture to secure sensitive university data, ensuring compliance with PDPL, NCA guidelines, institutional governance, and architecture standards.
• Directly supervise and mentor a diverse workforce of application specialists, analysts, developers, and DBAs.
• Drive targeted upskilling efforts pivoting staff skills from legacy technologies towards cloud-based management, SAP integrations, and Microsoft cloud architectures.
• Define clear work distribution methods, team objectives, and transparent accountability systems to foster a high-performance, service-oriented culture.
• Collaborate with other IT units to cultivate a psychologically safe, open, and high-achieving team environment by dismantling technical silos and encouraging growth mindsets.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, software engineering, data or technology management, or an equivalent mix of education and relevant experience.
• Proven leadership experience building and managing technical application teams, particularly through technological migrations or organizational change.
• Demonstrated skills in budget management and handling significant financial resources and contracts.
• Excellent communication abilities to clearly articulate complex business, technical, and risk matters to executives and stakeholders, thereby building trusted partnerships.
• Strong vendor engagement competencies with experience managing vendor roadmaps, contracts, and SLAs and ensuring accountability for delivery outcomes.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with Ellucian Banner, ideally having led or contributed to a full lifecycle implementation.
• In-depth knowledge of SAP systems (ECC or S/4HANA), particularly interactions between finance/HR modules and academic administration data.
• Basic understanding of Blackboard Learn configurations, building blocks, and LTI integrations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure, M365, and Power Platform for identity management (SSO), productivity enhancement, and light automation.