Director, Information Systems

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Internal posting expires Friday October 16th at 11:59 PM

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Director Information Systems is responsible for planning design development implementation and support of sustainable and secure information system and technology services to the University. The incumbent shares overall responsibility for day-to-day management of IST with the other Directors and the CIO CISO CDO and DCIO. The Director demonstrates campus-wide leadership in the successful deployment support and evolution of the Universitys Information Systems and collaborates on Data infrastructure and EdTech. This includes but is not limited to the Universitys three ERP systems which serve the Student HR and Finance functions of the university Departmental and Campus applications used by units across campus and the Web Content Management System (WCMS) as well as the universitys data and integration infrastructure and services. The Director is responsible for defining providing refining improving and modifying the services provided in response to changes in business processes next-generation technologies and IST/University addition to ownership of system-related relationships across campus on behalf of IST the Director develops and maintains key relationships across the university to assist with alignment between Academic Research and Academic Support information systems and initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

Establishes the direction and priorities for the Information Systems group

Serves as an integral member of both ISTs Executive and Management Teams

Participates in the development of the long-term vision and planning for the department

Develops the Information Systems groups annual plans and priorities and is a key contributor to the creation and execution on strategic planning for both IST and IT on campus

Leads the intake and successful delivery of information systems projects for IST and is accountable for the creation of related governance bodies for management and oversight of information systems projects (Steering Management Operational committees).

Within the Information Systems group ensures the effective utilization deployment and development of human and capital resources

Oversees hiring and overall management of the Information Systems group

Deploys staff to meet the goals and objectives of the Information Systems group most appropriately

Coaches trains and develops employees to enable their professional development

Gathers and submits budget requests for information systems across campus

Reviews and approves ongoing information system expenses

Approves annual performance plans and conducts regular reviews with direct reports

Core Services of the Information Systems group

Information Systems has primary responsibility for:

Building strong collaborative partnerships with all campus units to meet the Information Systems needs of the university

Definition implementation and maintenance of technical and system strategies including managing the universitys many cloud-based vendors and services

Design and implementation of technical solutions to meet business requirements

Integrity of applications through defined QA testing and vendor management practices

Solutions design and consulting support to units across campus

For selected programs and projects the Director may engage the services of a Project or Program Manager to ensure successful delivery of cross-departmental initiatives.

Applications Implementation and Lifecycle Management

Plays a key leadership role for the university in the information systems pre-acquisition and acquisition processes (including Business Analysis Requirements gathering RFI/RFP processes and contract negotiations)

Maintains a future-oriented outlook for the Universitys information systems staying up-to-date on industry and higher education trends that may impact the University

Implements ERP-level applications (Student HR Finance)

Implements campus-scale applications (CEE Advancement Research)

Implements department-specific applications (Parking Bookstore Athletics Food Safety Campus Wellness Campus Housing)

Establishes and maintains the official web content management system (WCMS) for the university

Systems Integration

Promotes and implements a modern system-to-system data architecture and integration capability that creates bridges between information systems to better the student and employee experience

Ensures integration with core applications (e.g. Microsoft 365)

Implements connectivity with external partners (e.g. banks government ministries etc.)

Infrastructure

Oversees Applications Administration and Database Administration functions for IST

Provides support for and use of both on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure platforms

Ensures the requisite production support for campus information systems including where necessary an emergency on-call service for critical information systems

Provides support for and incorporation of guiding principles for cybersecurity data privacy usability and digital accessibility into all information systems and data platforms

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

Establishes and maintains strong relationships with departmental leadership teams across the University

Builds strong relationships and strategic alliances with external technology partners

With the CIO and DCIO works collaboratively with senior leaders across campus to be responsible for Information Systems at the University including all aspects of applications lifecycle management

• High degree of vendor management specifically in contract review and escalations.

Data Provisioning

Provides support for the governance of data and related information from the primary data sources

Supports specific requests and initiatives for information and its analysis

Provides operational support for reporting integration conversion and archival projects related to system implementations

Supports access to datasets which support initiative and strategy of the university

Required Qualifications

Education

University degree or equivalent post-secondary education and/or experience required.

Experience

10-12 years of progressive experience with a proven track record of achievement and success within Information Technology.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Proven ability to match information systems needs with the current and future business issues of the University.

Strong leadership skills essential with a demonstrated positive track record of leading a cohesive team with common goals and measurable outcomes in a complex IT environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to effectively present strategies and plans to senior administration of the university.

Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Demonstrated ability to influence negotiate and develop relationships at senior levels and across a wide range of personalities and functions

Strong organizational and problem-solving skills combined with excellent analytical and planning abilities

Strong business acumen with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities at once and to create a collaborative strategic plan to align the efforts of a large team

Flexible and adaptable management style. Ability to conceptualize and address current and future challenges in a logical manner.

Results oriented with a proven collaborative approach to bring together units across the university.

Demonstrated reasoning and decision-making ability at a senior management level

Innovator with a high energy level

Computing Skills: Application and Data Integration Technologies Advanced; Project Management Advanced; MS Office & SharePoint Intermediate; Development Methodologies and Frameworks Intermediate; Application Architecture Advanced; Vendor Management Advanced

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.