VP, Enterprise Applications & Banking Systems Director

River Run is a shared services organization that supports banking affiliates, Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank and Rollstone Bank & Trust.

The VP, Enterprise Applications and Banking Systems Director leads the strategy, governance, and management of the Bank's core banking platform and enterprise applications. This role partners with business and executive leaders to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant technology solutions, oversee vendor relationships, drive application enhancements, and ensure systems effectively support the Bank's operations and strategic goals.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for the Bank's enterprise application portfolio, including FIS Horizon Core Banking, Baker Hill for Small Business and Commercial Lending, digital banking, deposit operations, financial management, and related systems. Develop and execute the application roadmap, ensuring all platforms remain secure, scalable, compliant, and aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and emerging technology trends.
• Lead the planning, implementation, enhancement, and lifecycle management of enterprise applications, including system upgrades, conversions, and release management. Oversee governance, business requirements, solution design, testing, documentation, training, deployment, and post-implementation support while evaluating technology solutions for business value, risk, cost, and architectural alignment.
• Direct the administration and optimization of FIS Horizon and Baker Hill, including core banking configuration, lending workflows, credit administration, risk rating models, portfolio monitoring, regulatory updates, performance optimization, and coordination of enhancements with business stakeholders and technology partners.
• Manage strategic relationships with application vendors and third-party providers, including contract administration, service-level performance, due diligence, and third-party risk management. Lead the resolution of complex application, integration, and operational issues while ensuring sustainable, risk-conscious solutions.
• Establish governance for application security, user access, privileged access management, segregation of duties, data governance, and enterprise integrations. Partner with Information Security, Risk Management, Compliance, and IT teams to support cybersecurity, operational resilience, business continuity, and regulatory compliance, including internal, external, and regulatory audits.
• Serve as a strategic technology leader by advising executive leadership and governance committees, contributing to technology planning, budgeting, operational effectiveness, and risk management. Develop high-performing teams through coaching, succession planning, and cross-training while representing the Bank with vendors, regulators, industry associations, and peer organizations.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree and/or professional certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL, Six Sigma) preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience in banking, financial services, information technology, or enterprise application management, with strong knowledge of core banking operations, lending, deposit operations, digital banking, treasury management, accounting, compliance, and customer service.
• Experience supporting enterprise banking applications, preferably including FIS Horizon Core Banking and Baker Hill for Small Business and Commercial Lending, with expertise in system administration, configuration, upgrades, release management, and lending workflows.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise application implementations, conversions, integrations, and technology projects, with knowledge of application architecture, data governance, workflow automation, SDLC, ITIL, project management, and change management methodologies.
• Strong understanding of information security, cybersecurity, access management, business continuity, FFIEC guidance, regulatory compliance, audit practices, vendor management, contract administration, and third-party risk management.
• Proven leadership, communication, analytical, and relationship management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives, communicate effectively with technical and business stakeholders-including executive leadership and the Board-and make sound, risk-based decisions with professionalism and integrity.