Job Description

Information Technology Executive Director

Tracking Code: req1013

Faculty/Department: Information Technology (IT) Services Department

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing,

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Salary Range: Level 13 - Annual Hiring Salary, $141,645, with annual step progression in accordance with the .

Posting Date: February 22, 2024

Closing Date: March 15, 2024

Job Summary: The IT Executive Director (ED) is an institution wide advocate and steward for Ontario Tech\'s Integrated Academic Research Plan and the corresponding Digital Strategy enabling plan. The Executive Director\'s primary responsibilities encompass the formation and execution of strategies aimed at supporting the academic, research and administrative functions of the University.

The position requires a unique combination of skills for higher education. It requires understanding the core processes and systems used in a higher education institution combined with business acumen and technology expertise across the foundational disciplines of information and technology. The variety of stakeholders - students, faculty, functional lines of business and executive leadership - bring unique elements to be addressed. It requires partnerships within and outside of the institution including peer organizations and industry leading entities that offer services or who can advise on advancements and technologies that can be leveraged by higher ed.

Reporting directly to the Vice President Administration and indirectly to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the IT Executive Director contributes to the university\'s strategic agenda by providing the best possible innovation and information technology advice for decision-making; implementing policies, plans, and strategies; and collaborating across faculties on Ontario Tech\'s priorities to achieve results. The ED oversees the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) which is directly responsible for the university IT infrastructure, telecommunications, enterprise business systems, classroom technology, information security and more. The Executive Director will be an effective partner, as this position collaborates with Durham College who provide infrastructure IT services to the university.

As part of the executive leadership team, they:

• Create and inspire a shared vision that is aligned with overall institution strategies as outlined in the Integrated Academic Research plan and business values.
• Lead the institutions central and shared IT units and steer IT-related initiatives by developing, coordinating, and communicating overarching IT priorities.
• Generate and lead organizational transformation, innovation, and change especially as it related to the digital strategy.
• Invest in developing people individually and collectively; and ensure the integrated delivery of programs and services are in the best interests of Ontario Tech stakeholders.

Responsibilities/accountabilities:

• Directs the design and implementation of IT operating models, organizational structures, and governance processes. Uses influencing and negotiation skills to create synergies across the institution to enable cost-effective and innovative shared solutions in achievement of business goals.
• Collaborates with executive and academic leadership and business partners to define and execute the digital business strategy. Participates in and contributes to the assessment of external digital opportunities and threats, and internal technology capabilities required to achieve desired competitive positioning.
• In Partnership with the Durham College AVP IT collaborates on increasing the use of industry best practices to deliver secure and reliable IT services so both institutions can deliver digital programs and services to meet the business needs.
• Maintains currency on new technologies and platforms. Provides direction on what emerging technologies should be integrated within the university to ensure IT capabilities respond to the needs of Ontario Tech\'s digital strategy. Provides strategic direction in the IT organization\'s innovation efforts and role in experimenting with new solutions to take advantage of those opportunities in the fulfillment of the university\'s digital business strategy.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the design, development, operation and support of IT systems and programs that fulfill the needs of the university, including enterprise architecture management, application management, security and risk management, and infrastructure and operations support management.
• Develops and controls annual operating and capital expenditure budget for IT to ensure the investment in technologies is consistent with Ontario Tech\'s overall strategic objectives and is within plan.
• Enhances ITs\' capabilities by leveraging a multitude of resources, both internally and externally. Directs the development of the IT sourcing strategy and provides executive oversight for strategic vendor and partner relationship management. Engages with finance to review, educate, understand and determine what funding models are appropriate and viable for the institution as technologies and pricing strategies evolve.
• Engages and works with HR and key stakeholders to map out scenarios for IT workforce transformations. Develops the IT workforce strategy and action plans that align with and enable the effective execution of institution and IT strategies.
• Participates and partners with the senior leadership team to drive culture change in support of Ontario Tech\'s digital business transformation.
• Serves on enterprise planning and governance committees. Drives the development of enterprise technology standards, governance processes and performance metrics to ensure IT delivers value to the institution. Manages risks through the effective design, delivery and management of IT capabilities for the enterprise.

Required Skills:

Executive Leadership

• A strategic, creative, innovative, and visionary leader with proven ability to develop comprehensive strategies and lead major IT initiatives at the executive level within an evolving and complex environment.
• Demonstrated executive experience in leading business and IT transformation and shaping IT for an organization.
• Demonstrated success in building, leading, and engaging diverse, high-performance teams to achieve challenging objectives.
• Reputation of being open, transparent, and effective in building a positive team environment and fostering a culture of excellence, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism equity and accessibility.

Technical Knowledge

• IT knowledge to provide the vision but also shape the overall design of digital transformation to ensure integration with institution priorities and utilizing decision-making processes to drive change and manage major issues and risks.
• Delivered new modern technology in the IT space and are aware of what is new and upcoming for technology solutions.
• Sound knowledge and expertise in IT strategic and operational planning, and technical competence in the areas of IT project management, systems development, positive disruption, continuous improvement, performance management and metrics, and IT service delivery.
• Maintain comprehensive cybersecurity protocols to protect institutional data and assets.

• Collaborate with leaders on campus to assist in creating a data architecture, data warehousing, data governance, and IT policies while adhering to regulatory guidelines and industry best practices.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Ability to provide influential strategic business and IT advice and generate active support from the most senior level executives in stakeholder, client, partner, and service provider organizations.
• Fosters a collaborative work environment that promotes and facilitates transparency and accountability.
• Polished, seasoned communicator and negotiator, effective problem-solver, and consensus builder.
• Engage with faculty, staff, and students to understand their technological needs and provide forward looking solutions to address these and other opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strategic vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure service level agreements are met regarding security, privacy, and system availability. Conduct periodic reviews of vendor relationships and services to ensure they meet business needs most efficiently across the University.

Required Education:

Completion of 4 year university degree. A master\'s degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience is preferable.

• Verification of Academic credentials may be required

Required Experience:

• 10 years or more of experience in either business areas or within IT, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy and strategic planning, organization design and development.
• Preferably five or more years of experience in related, industry-leading, large, cross-functional teams or enterprise-wide programs, influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization and within complex contexts.
• Preferably proven experience or demonstrated capability in leading large, complex and or transformational initiatives in dynamic environments and taking advantage of digital opportunities to innovate business models and enable the digitalization of the business.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people\'s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contact , Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university\'s .

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date: 3/15/2024

Ontario Tech University