Job Description
The Associate Director, Workplace Technology and Business Engagement serves as the senior technology leader and primary IT partner for Vertex's Real Estate, Facilities, Physical Security, and Workplace Operations organizations. This role is responsible for defining technology strategy, managing a portfolio of enterprise applications, and delivering digital solutions that enable business capabilities across the global workplace environment.
The role owns the technology roadmap, governance, and lifecycle management of platforms supporting workplace operations while driving innovation through AI, automation, analytics, and modern enterprise technologies. In addition, the Associate Director leads the technology workstream for office expansions, relocations, new site openings, workplace modernization initiatives, and M&A integration activities, ensuring the successful delivery of workplace technology, infrastructure, physical security, collaboration, and operational systems.
As a senior member of DTE, the Associate Director partners closely with business leaders to understand strategic priorities, translate business needs into technology roadmaps, and ensure the successful delivery and operation of applications and platforms that support workplace operations, facilities management, physical security, and employee experience.
This role combines business engagement, product ownership, portfolio management, and technology leadership. The successful candidate will drive innovation through AI, automation, analytics, and modern enterprise technologies while ensuring operational excellence, security, scalability, and business value.
The Associate Director leads a team responsible for application strategy, project delivery, vendor management, and operational support while collaborating across DTE, Corporate Real Estate, Facilities, Engineering, Security, EH&S, Procurement, and external partners to deliver impactful business outcomes.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Business Engagement & Strategy
- Serve as the primary DTE relationship manager and trusted advisor for Real Estate, Facilities, and Workplace Operations leadership.
- Develop and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps aligned to business priorities and strategic objectives.
- Partner with stakeholders to identify opportunities for digital transformation, automation, data-driven decision making, and AI-enabled solutions.
- Facilitate demand management, portfolio prioritization, and investment planning across the Real Estate and Facilities technology portfolio.
- Present strategy, recommendations, business cases, and technology roadmaps to senior leadership.
Application & Product Leadership
- Own the lifecycle strategy, governance, support, and continuous improvement of enterprise platforms supporting Real Estate, Facilities, Physical Security, and Workplace Operations.
- Lead evaluation, selection, implementation, and optimization of business applications and technology solutions.
- Ensure platforms remain secure, scalable, compliant, and aligned with enterprise architecture standards.
- Partner with Architecture, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data, and Enterprise Application teams to deliver integrated solutions.
- Champion the adoption of AI, automation, analytics, and emerging technologies to improve business outcomes and user experiences.
Program & Portfolio Delivery
- Lead a portfolio of technology projects, enhancements, and strategic initiatives supporting Real Estate, Facilities, and Workplace Operations.
- Oversee technology delivery associated with office expansions, relocations, new site openings, workplace modernization initiatives, and M&A integration activities.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business expectations.
- Manage resource planning, budgeting, demand forecasting, and project governance activities.
- Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities across the portfolio.
Operational Excellence & Vendor Management
- Accountable for operational support, platform health, service levels, and customer satisfaction across systems within scope.
- Establish and monitor KPIs, service metrics, adoption metrics, and value realization measures.
- Manage strategic vendor relationships, contracts, and service providers.
- Drive continuous improvement across support processes, governance, platform operations, and service delivery.
People Leadership
- Lead and develop a team of project managers and technology professionals.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and career development opportunities for team members.
- Lead geographically dispersed vendors and managed service partners.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong experience partnering with business leaders to develop technology strategy and deliver business outcomes.
- Experience managing enterprise applications, digital platforms, or technology product portfolios.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional technology initiatives in complex global environments.
- Experience with AI, automation, analytics, workflow platforms, or digital transformation programs.
- Strong understanding of application lifecycle management, vendor management, and IT service delivery.
- Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
- Proven ability to establish trusted relationships with senior business stakeholders and influence strategic decisions through technology leadership and business partnership.
- Ability to translate business requirements into technology solutions and measurable value.
- Experience leading technology teams, vendors, and managed service providers.
- Experience leading the technology workstream for office buildouts, workplace expansions, relocations, new site openings, or M&A integration activities.
- Knowledge of workplace, facilities, physical security, or real estate systems is preferred.
- Experience with platforms such as Genetec, Envoy, IWMS, BMS/BAS, HiveWatch, Commend, Vital, ServiceNow, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, or similar enterprise solutions is preferred.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Information Technology, Enterprise Applications, Digital Transformation, Product Management, or related disciplines.
- 5+ years leading teams, programs, technology portfolios, or major enterprise initiatives.
- Proven ability to establish trusted relationships with senior business stakeholders and influence strategic decisions through technology leadership and business partnership.
- Experience managing enterprise business applications and vendor-delivered solutions.
- Experience partnering with Real Estate, Facilities, Workplace Services, Corporate Security, or other business functions as an IT Business Partner, Product Owner, Technology Leader, or Enterprise Applications leader.
- MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
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Pay Range:
$172,000 - $258,000
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
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Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com