Director I, IT Service Owner - Business Applications

Job Description BAE Systems is seeking a Director, Business Applications (IT Service Owner) to lead the enterprise-wide strategy, modernization, and governance of the company's business applications portfolio. Operating as a senior executive and strategic advisor, this leader is responsible for establishing and executing an integrated vision for the application ecosystem-ensuring scalability, cost efficiency, reliability, and streamlined capabilities that enable the enterprise to operate with speed, clarity, and competitive advantage.

This role oversees application rationalization, enterprise platform optimization, and the transformation of the business application landscape to reduce complexity, modernize legacy tools, eliminate redundancy, and drive measurable business value. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in portfolio rationalization, enterprise architecture, software development, operational governance, and executive-level engagement across a highly matrixed environment.

The Director I partners with senior executives, functional leaders, product teams, engineering, and program management to drive alignment, define investment priorities, and ensure that application capabilities support mission-critical business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise Business Applications Strategy, including portfolio rationalization, modernization planning, and alignment with digital transformation priorities.
• Develop and implement an application rationalization program, eliminating redundancy, reducing technical debt, and optimizing cost, performance, and lifecycle value.
• Oversee functional application support and maintenance, ensuring stability, scalability, secure operations, and compliance across all business application platforms.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives across the application landscape, leveraging consolidation, cloud adoption, licensing efficiencies, and operational improvements.
• Streamline the enterprise portfolio of applications, simplifying user experience, reducing fragmentation, and guiding business units toward standardized enterprise solutions.
• Establish and manage strategic and operational governance for business applications, defining standards, lifecycle processes, performance metrics, and investment frameworks.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, business strategies, regulatory needs, and modernization goals.
• Lead and develop high-performing technical and functional teams, and build strong leadership capability across the Business Applications organization.
• Serve as an executive-level influencer, communicating complex technical concepts to senior leaders and boards with clarity, confidence, and precision.
• Drive alignment across the matrix, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, fostering collaboration, and ensuring cross-functional commitment to application strategies.
• Partner with software engineering, program management, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture teams to ensure robust design, integration, performance, and operational excellence.
• Oversee the support and sustainment model for enterprise applications, ensuring timely incident resolution, release coordination, continuous improvement, and business continuity.

Competencies

• Executive presence with the ability to inspire confidence, lead through influence, and shape enterprise decision-making.
• Deep expertise in enterprise application ecosystems, including lifecycle management, portfolio optimization, and business capability alignment.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation, cloud adoption, modernization frameworks, and enterprise architecture principles.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale application rationalization and modernization initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate technical strategy into business impact.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills across complex environments.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic goals with operational execution needs.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary, high-performing teams.
• Innovative problem solver with a practical, outcome-oriented mindset.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Technology, or a related technical field; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive leadership experience spanning business applications, enterprise architecture, software development, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience with large-scale application portfolio rationalization, modernization, or enterprise transformation efforts.
• Strong background in software development, program management, or technical engineering leadership.
• Proven ability to manage application performance across cost, schedule, quality, security, and risk.
• Experience leading teams, developing talent, and building organizational capability in complex enterprises.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience in defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with low-code platforms, workflow automation, integration platforms, and enterprise analytics capabilities.

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Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc.BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.