Information Technology Director - Business Alignment and Strategic Engagement

ROLE SUMMARY

As a direct report to the Vice President (VP) of Information Technology (IT), the Director of Business Alignment & Strategic Engagement (BASE) serves as a strategic liaison between IT and the business, ensuring technology strategy, digital initiatives, and IT capabilities are tightly aligned with enterprise objectives. This role proactively identifies emerging business needs and innovation opportunities, bringing forward‑thinking solutions that enable growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

The Director partners closely with IT leadership, executive stakeholders, and cross‑functional business teams to translate business priorities into actionable technology roadmaps and measurable outcomes. This leader drives portfolio prioritization, resource alignment, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the successful delivery of strategic initiatives.

Additionally, the Director is accountable for building and developing high‑performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and career development, while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Information Technology (IT) Alignment & Planning:

• Leads alignment between enterprise business strategy and IT strategy, ensuring technology investments directly support organizational priorities.
• Facilitates IT strategic planning cycles, including annual department roadmaps, portfolio prioritization, and budget planning to support short‑, mid‑ and long‑range planning.
• Translates business objectives into actionable IT initiatives, KPIs, and measurable outcomes. Engages in governance processes to ensure decisions reflect business priorities and drive enterprise value.
• Maintains a clear, unified view of IT priorities and communicates them across the organization.
• Evaluates technology proposals and initiatives to ensure they align with enterprise architecture, security standards, and strategic goals. Leads evaluation and selection of business‑critical systems, including facilitating vendor discussions and contract negotiations.
• Periodically reevaluates existing technology and platforms to ensure they continue to align with business and IT strategy.

Technology Portfolio & Performance Management:

• Oversees strategic IT portfolio alignment, ensuring that resources are allocated to the highest value and/or prioritized initiatives.
• Monitors progress of major IT programs, identifying risks, dependencies, and opportunities for acceleration. Recommends portfolio adjustments to achieve goals.
• Owns and evolves standardized tools for intake, evaluation, demand management, and capacity planning. Develops dashboards, scorecards, and reporting mechanisms to track IT performance, value delivery, and alignment to business outcomes.

Digital Transformation & Innovation:

• Supports enterprise digital transformation efforts by aligning stakeholders, clarifying objectives, and ensuring readiness for change and transformation.
• Partners with Architecture, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure and Solutions teams to ensure initiatives are scalable, secure, and aligned with long‑term technology direction. Serves as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating technology‑driven change.
• Drives efforts to shape and manage demand for enterprise technology solutions, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and business objectives. Identifies opportunities to leverage emerging technologies to improve business processes, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
• Balances reuse with new acquisition to optimize ROI, reduce complexity, and accelerate time‑to‑value. Manages efforts to drive adoption of new systems, processes, and technologies.

Cross Functional Collaboration & Engagement:

• Serves as the primary liaison between IT leadership and business units to ensure shared understanding of needs, constraints, and opportunities. Facilitates cross‑functional working groups to resolve alignment gaps, clarify requirements, and drive decision‑making.
• Promotes a culture of partnership between IT and the business, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and shared ownership.
• Builds strong relationships with Product, Sales, Marketing, Customer Advocacy, Finance, HR, and other functions to ensure cohesive execution of technology initiatives.
• Provides insights to senior leadership on technology trends, business impacts, and strategic opportunities.
• Maintains strong, positive relationships with the IT delivery organization. Understands IT delivery capabilities and provides value by organizing demand effectively and ensuring consistent, prioritized business requirements that enable successful delivery.

Change Leadership & Communication:

• Leads communication strategies for major IT initiatives, ensuring stakeholders understand goals, impacts, timelines, and expectations.
• Supports change management efforts to drive adoption of new systems, processes, and technologies.
• Develops engagement plans, feedback loops, and communication channels to ensure stakeholder needs are understood and addressed.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Provides leadership, mentorship, and direction to a team responsible for demand shaping, prioritization, and business solution definition (includes Analytics, PMO/Budget, Contracts, and Strategy/Alignment teams). Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and strategic alignment.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operations Management – maintains responsibility for establishing, monitoring, and reporting on team operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Monitors implementations to ensure that financial and service targets are met according to timelines.
• Evaluates the total cost of ownership and return on investment of various implementations as well as potential alternatives.
• Works closely with other members of the IT leadership team during requests for proposals (RFPs), bids, contracts, and service agreements.
• Drives adoption of modern ways of working (Agile, product‑centric models, automation, data‑driven decision making, etc.).

REQUIRED SKILLS & PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of enterprise technology landscapes and how they support business strategy.
• Demonstrated senior‑level IT management experience; adept at shaping and executing complex IT strategies.
• Executive presence in gaining consensus across all parties.
• Proven track record managing budgets ranging from $4 million to $10 million, showcasing financial acumen in IT operations. Strategic thinking, problem solving, and escalation management.
• Experience with agile, product‑centric, or modern IT operating models.
• Proficiency in translating complex technical concepts into clear business language. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build relationships across IT teams and across the organization.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in leading multiple IT disciplines, including software development, technical support, and systems architecture, showcasing adept project management skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and a collaborative approach in dealings with third‑party IT business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, especially in matrixed environments.
• Advanced decision‑making and problem‑solving skills, essential for navigating complex IT landscapes and swiftly addressing challenges.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's Degree and at least 12 to 15 years of relevant IT, Enterprise Project Management, and/or Business Strategy experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office Location: Camden, NJ – part of the Greater Philadelphia Area (Philly)
• Hybrid Role – Remote work 2 days per week (after 90 days) (Wednesdays & Fridays)
• Travel Required: 20%

COMPENSATION: The recruiting base salary range for this full‑time position is $155,900 – $235,000 / year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Additionally, this role is bonus‑eligible, with a target bonus percentage that provides an opportunity to earn even more based on your performance. (Internal Job Grade: D2)

WHY JOIN US? In addition to competitive salary and an incomparable culture, Subaru offers an amazing benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Pension, Profit Sharing, and 401(k) Match Offerings
• 15 Vacation days, 5 Floating Holidays, 5 Sick days, and 9 Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program: $15,000 yearly benefit
• Vehicle Discount Programs

Learning & Development:

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Direct partnership with senior leadership
• Formal Mentorship Program
• LinkedIn Learning License

Visit our careers landing page for additional information about our compensation and benefit programs.

ABOUT SUBARU

Love. It’s what makes Subaru, Subaru®. As a leading auto brand in the US, we strive to be More Than a Car Company®. Subaru believes in being a positive force in the communities in which we live and work, not just with donations but with actions that set an example for others to follow. That’s what we call our Subaru Love Promise®.

Subaru is a globally renowned automobile manufacturer known for its commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability. With a rich history dating back to 1953, Subaru has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering to deliver vehicles that offer not only exceptional performance but also a unique blend of utility and adventure.

Subaru's company culture is built on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for our product. We foster an inclusive environment that encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and talents to the table. Our team members are driven by a common goal: to create exceptional vehicles that inspire and delight our customers.

#J-18808-Ljbffr