[Hiring] Director II, HR & Communications Services @BAE Systems

Role Description

BAE Systems is seeking a Director II, HR & Communications Services (IT Service Owner) to architect, modernize, and lead the strategic direction of the enterprise’s Human Capital Management (HCM), Talent, Learning, and Communications technology ecosystem. Operating as a senior executive and thought leader, this role defines the enterprise vision for employee‑centric digital capabilities, oversees major system transformations, and ensures the reliable delivery, governance, and evolution of technology platforms that shape the employee experience and enterprise-wide communications.

This leader serves as the strategic owner and executive sponsor for the company’s next-generation HCM transformation, including the transition from legacy PeopleSoft environments to modern cloud-based platforms such as Workday or equivalent. The role requires deep expertise in HR technology, enterprise architecture, program leadership, and organizational change—combined with the executive presence to influence decisions across the matrix and shape the future of how employees engage, collaborate, develop, and communicate.

You will partner closely with senior HR executives, Communications leadership, Talent and Learning stakeholders, CIO partners, and enterprise transformation teams to deliver an integrated, intuitive, and scalable digital ecosystem that enhances productivity, culture, and workforce experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise HR & Communications Systems Strategy, including long-range planning, modernization roadmaps, experience design, and integration with enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Own the enterprise HCM system transformation, driving the transition from PeopleSoft to Workday or equivalent cloud-based platform, ensuring excellence in delivery, data integrity, and business readiness.
• Oversee talent, learning, and employee lifecycle technologies, ensuring alignment across recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning ecosystems, and career development.
• Lead digital enablement for enterprise communications, including intranet, internet, and collaboration platforms that support employee engagement and corporate messaging.
• Drive company-wide collaboration platform strategy, ensuring secure, scalable, and intuitive tools that enable productivity and communication across the enterprise.
• Establish and manage strategic and operational governance for HR, Talent, Learning, and Communications technologies, ensuring reliability, security, performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and champion a multi-year technology roadmap, aligning investments with modernization priorities, employee experience goals, regulatory needs, and enterprise digital strategy.
• Oversee support and sustainment of enterprise HR & Communications platforms, ensuring operational excellence, stable performance, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and develop high-performing technology teams, strengthening technical, functional, and leadership capabilities while cultivating a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Influence across a complex matrix environment, driving alignment and decision-making without direct authority while balancing diverse executive perspectives.
• Communicate complex technical and strategic concepts to senior executives and non-technical audiences with clarity, authority, and executive presence.
• Partner with software engineering, program management, and technical teams to ensure solution quality, integration rigor, and scalable architecture.

Qualifications

• Senior-level executive presence with the ability to influence, guide, and align enterprise stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in HCM, Talent, Learning, and Communications technologies.
• Strong command of cloud-based HCM platforms (Workday or equivalent) and HR digital transformation best practices.
• Robust understanding of employee experience, digital engagement, communications operations, and collaboration ecosystems.
• Demonstrated ability to drive large-scale enterprise technology implementations and organizational change.
• Strong business acumen and fluency across HR, Communications, IT, and operational domains.
• Skilled in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution in matrixed organizations.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Proven leadership of high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
• Innovative problem solver with balanced long-term and short-term decision-making capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, HR Technology, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred. Or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive leadership experience spanning HR technology, enterprise systems, program leadership, or related technical fields.
• Significant experience with HCM platforms including Workday, PeopleSoft, or equivalent enterprise solutions.
• Proven success leading enterprise-scale HR or Communications system transformations, including cloud migrations.
• Background in software development, program management, or technical engineering leadership strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technology performance across cost, schedule, quality, and risk.
• Experience developing leaders, building organizational capability, and managing complex technology portfolios.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, or highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with digital experience platforms, analytics-driven HR insights, automation, and AI-enabled employee engagement solutions.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Legal plan.
• Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Paid parental, military, bereavement, and applicable federal and state sick leave.
• Company recognition program for monetary or non-monetary recognition awards.