Enterprise Applications COE Director

About the Role

This permanent full-time position focuses on leadership and ownership of Uniphar's enterprise application platforms, specifically centred on Microsoft Dynamics 365. Distinct from the ERP programme delivery, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) Director acts as the authoritative figure for standards and value realisation, steering adoption, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic planning of enterprise applications across Uniphar globally. The role requires a combination of deep Microsoft Dynamics 365 expertise, strong leadership to influence senior stakeholders, operational discipline to enforce governance, and commercial insight to convert technological capabilities into clear business benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, establish and lead the Uniphar Enterprise Applications Centre of Excellence, including defining its structure, operating model, and collaboration approaches.
• Recruit and guide a high-performing team comprised of functional, technical, and change management experts.
• Clarify roles and interactions between the CoE, divisional IT leads, and ERP programme teams, ensuring smooth transitions from project delivery to ongoing operations.
• Promote a culture focused on continual improvement, shared expertise, and effective knowledge management among practitioners, especially in Dynamics 365.
• Develop and enforce governance frameworks for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and related enterprise applications, including standards for configuration, change control, releases, and overall platform oversight.
• Ensure uniform application of standards throughout all parts of the group, including newly acquired entities.
• Lead the governance forum to provide senior management with transparent updates on platform health, priorities, risks, and strategic roadmap planning.
• Drive enterprise application adoption through strategic training, enablement, communication, and change management initiatives, focusing on Dynamics 365.
• Define and monitor metrics evidencing platform value such as adoption rates, process improvements, data quality, and business outcome enhancements.
• Collaborate with business and finance leaders to demonstrate platform impact and justify future investments.
• Oversee user readiness and confidence in effective daily platform usage across all organizational levels.
• Manage and prioritise continuous improvement backlog for Dynamics 365 balancing strategic, operational, and divisional needs.
• Oversee Microsoft Dynamics 365 release cycles, evaluating impacts of new features and updates.
• Coordinate with Group Technology architecture to align Dynamics 365 evolution with overall enterprise technology strategy.
• Identify and assess opportunities to enhance capability via Power Platform, Copilot for Finance & Operations, and integrated analytics.
• Maintain data governance, master data standards, and quality controls to protect integrity of financial and operational data within Dynamics 365 and connected systems.
• Ensure Dynamics 365 serves as the authoritative system of record, managing integrations with upstream and downstream systems appropriately.
• Collaborate with Data and Analytics teams to provide dependable, governed data for reporting and AI initiatives.
• Manage strategic relationships with Microsoft regarding licensing, roadmap alignment, and support.
• Oversee partnerships with implementation and managed service providers to maximize enterprise application value.
• Leverage group commercial frameworks to optimize Microsoft licensing and support benefits.

Qualifications and Experience

• Typically over 12 years in enterprise applications or ERP-related functions, including minimum 5 years in senior leadership or platform ownership roles.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or Business Central, including architecture, governance, and improvement at scale.
• Proven leadership in building or managing a Centre of Excellence or equivalent governance body.
• Strong track record in driving adoption and realising business value from enterprise applications across complex, multi-entity or multinational organizations.
• Experience collaborating with large ERP implementation initiatives, focusing on governance and adoption post go-live.
• Expertise in change management, business readiness, and engaging senior stakeholders effectively.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps for Dynamics 365 ALM, CI/CD pipeline configuration, and release management.
• Understanding of enterprise data architecture, master data management, and integration middleware such as Azure Integration Services, Logic Apps, and Dataverse.
• Knowledgeable about other enterprise application domains like CRM, HR/HCM, finance, EPM, and service management and their integration with core ERP systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, Finance, or related field; certifications in Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred.

About Uniphar Group

Uniphar is a fast-growing global healthcare services company headquartered in Ireland with operations spanning Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Nordics, USA, and Australia. Since going public in 2019, Uniphar has expanded organically and through acquisitions, now employing over 3000 people. The group delivers outsourced and specialised services to pharmaceutical and MedTech companies leveraging strong partnerships and advanced digital technologies, operating across Supply Chain & Retail, Commercial & Clinical Med Tech/Pharma, and Product Access divisions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Uniphar embraces diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.