Director, General & Administrative IT

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.  

Cengage Group’s portfolio of businesses supports student choice by providing a range of pathways that help learners achieve their goals and lead a choice-filled life.  

Our culture values inclusion, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/  

The Director of G&A IT is responsible for leading enterprise technology solutions that support critical business operations across Cengage Group's General & Administrative functions. This role manages diverse technology platforms including Product Information Management/Product Data Management systems, legacy and current ERP integrations, EDI, HR systems, and B2B e-commerce operations while ensuring seamless integration with enterprise platforms like SAP, CRM and other business-critical applications.   

What you'll do here:

Platform & Systems Management

• Oversee Product Information Management (PIM), Product Data Management (PDM), JD Edwards (E1), HR systems, EDI platforms, and related business applications

• Drive platform modernization initiatives and maintain technology roadmaps for assigned systems

• Develop and implement technical debt reduction strategies and architecture roadmaps focused on simplification and cost optimization

• Lead legacy system retirement and application rationalization initiatives to reduce complexity and operating costs

• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate new technology solutions to meet evolving business needs

• Ensure system reliability, performance, and security across all managed platforms  

Program & Project Delivery

• Deliver critical business initiatives on time and within scope, particularly those supporting company-wide transformation programs

• Partner with multi-functional teams on large-scale implementations (ERP, CRM, etc.) to ensure successful integration

• Manage Agile delivery processes and continuously refine development practices

• Proactively identify problems and opportunities, taking action without requiring direction

• Balance multiple projects across disparate systems while maintaining strategic focus  

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders across the organization

• Work closely with Product Management, Legal, HR, Finance, and Go-to-Market teams

• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Work to manage external vendors & outsource/offshore relationships

• Partner with business stakeholders to set priorities and manage expectations

• Act as a trusted advisor to internal customers, resolving issues and bridging gaps  

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop software engineering and technical teams

• Provide clear direction on priorities and empower teams to execute effectively

• Foster strong working relationships between technology teams and business process owners

• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation

• Support team members' professional growth and career development  

Skills you will need here:

Required Experience

• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience, with a strong track record managing enterprise business applications (ERP, PIM/PDM, HR systems, e-commerce platforms)

• Proven success leading large-scale, multi-year system implementations and complex integrations in fast-paced, transformation-driven environments

• Deep understanding of enterprise systems, integration architectures, Agile/SDLC methodologies, and modern software development practices

• Experience with data management, EDI standards, e-commerce technologies, vendor management, and technology solution evaluation

• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale technical teams, delegate effectively, and deliver results through others

• Strategic, proactive problem-solver who remains calm under pressure and can balance tactical execution with long-term objectives

• Strong communicator with the ability to translate technical complexity into business value and build trusted relationships across all organizational levels.   

What Success Looks Like:

• Consistent delivery of initiatives against goals and timelines

• Strong partner satisfaction and productive working relationships across functional teams

• Proactive identification and resolution of issues before they advance

• Effective management of scope and resources to prevent scope creep

• Measurable reduction in technical debt and operating costs through strategic simplification

• Team engagement, development, and retention

• Modernization of platforms to support future business needs  

Additional Information:

This role requires a pragmatic, people-focused approach to technology leadership. The ideal candidate views problems through both technical and human lenses, understanding that successful IT delivery depends on strong relationships, clear communication, and the ability to navigate organizational complexity. The position offers opportunity for growth into adjacent business areas and expanded leadership responsibility.  

Cengage Group is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of any classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.  

Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including during our job application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in our job application process, please contact us at [email protected].   

About Cengage Group

Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.  

Compensation

At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards Philosophy.

The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location.  Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

In this position,  you will be eligible to participate in the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program.  This position's bonus target amount, which is not guaranteed and is dependent on individual performance and overall company results among other factors, is provided below.