Director, Information Technology Services (Providence Research)

At Providence Research IT isnt just about systemsits how we power innovation enable research and turn data into clinical innovation and improved patient outcomes.

Providence Research is now hiring a Director of Information Technology Services to lead the unification and modernization of research systems shape enterprise data governance and guide the development of the IT infrastructure behind the Clinical Support & Research Centre our upcoming cutting-edge life sciences hub which will be located alongside the new St. Pauls.

Your duties will include:
Reporting to the Executive Director Providence Research the Director Information Technology Services (ITS) provides strategic leadership across the full spectrum of research information technology including technology and data platform strategy infrastructure planning engineering approaches and acquisition strategies that advance the organizations research mission.

This service-focused leader is accountable for all ITS across Providence Research encompassing corporate and clinical technology infrastructure research computing environments cybersecurity and risk management programs disaster recovery and enterprise-wide data governance. The role demands proven experience leading complex transformational initiatives supported by strong change management capabilities and a track record of delivering projects on scope on time and within budget.

A defining responsibility of this role is leading an enterprise-wide strategy to unify and modernize informatics systems standardize metrics and enable real-time data-driven visibility across the full research administration lifecycle spanning pre-award processes clinical trials research contracting and agreements compliance and workforce development. Positioned at the intersection of research administration and advanced data strategy the Director blends operational insight with deep technological expertise to build a modern interoperable and data-enabled research ecosystem.

The Director works in close collaboration with Providence Health Care Provincial Digital Health and Information Services (PDHIS) and external research partners to advance shared priorities including the development and implementation of a robust data governance model and the identification of opportunities for partnership and innovation. The role supports institutional data stewardship and literacy by leading change management initiatives supporting embedded domain data stewards and establishing documentation and knowledge transfer standards that ensure data quality and operational continuity.

The position carries full accountability for departmental leadership including recruiting retaining and providing leadership and direction to a team of professional IT staff; managing operational and project budgets; overseeing portfolio-level resource and vendor management; and providing clear written and oral briefings to senior leadership and other stakeholders as required.

Education Training and Experience

• A Masters degree in Computer Science Data Science Information Technology Engineering Informatics Business or a related field along with a minimum of ten (10) years of leadership experience overseeing complex Information Technology projects and managing teams.
• An equivalent combination of education training and experience in computer science or IT services particularly within health care delivery and/or medical research will also be considered.
• Experience working in the research and/or healthcare sector or within a similarly large-scale service based environment is considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated high-level proficiency in information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) within research and healthcare settings with strong technical acumen spanning cloud platforms analytics and statistical and computational methods and the ability to critically evaluate and apply these technologies in context.
• Advanced analytical critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning project and change management.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire mentor and motivate diverse high-performing teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement in complex environments.
• Exceptional judgment and decision-making skills including the ability to balance competing priorities assess risk and make sound evidence-based recommendations that drive results across teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders partners and customers through clear communication contextual awareness and a service-oriented approach.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize and translate complex technical and scientific concepts for diverse audiences including executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence guiding diverse groups through change and continuous improvement by building consensus and fostering collaboration across organizational boundaries.
• General knowledge of research and healthcare systems including awareness of relevant legislation regulatory requirements standards and emerging trends applicable to research and health care environments.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth with an ability to stay current on emerging technologies methodologies and best practices relevant to research IT and digital infrastructure.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

• A competitive salary: The salary range for this position is $130864 - $188116 per year depending on experience.
• Growth opportunities: We welcome individuals at all stages of their career offering opportunities for professional development and growth.
• State-of-the-art facilities: The new St. Pauls Hospital and health campus will be the most innovative approach to the delivery of integrated care in B.C. and Canada designed to appropriately address the future health needs of patients families and our communities. From hospital care to primary and community health solutions the new St. Pauls Hospital and health campus will continue to lead innovations in care research and teaching. The new St. Pauls Hospital is expected to open in 2027.
• Inclusive culture: We respect the diversity dignity and interdependence of all persons. We value the cultural richness that our diverse workforce brings to the care of our equally diverse population of patients and residents.
• Meaningful impact: You will have the opportunity to work for an organization that is deeply committed to safeguarding of our surrounding environment by contributing to high quality care while promoting sustainable practices in your everyday work.
• A comprehensive health benefits package including dental vision and life insurance as well as pension.
• Hybrid workand flexible hours available at managers discretion

Your day to day:

• Provides strategic vision and leadership for research information technology and digital systems at Providence Research shaping and advancing technology and data capabilities that support institutional scientific and operational priorities.
• Leads the development and execution of enterprise IT strategies including research computing analytics and digital infrastructure ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and research needs.
• Establishes and oversees governance policies service standards and quality frameworks for organization wide data information systems and digital infrastructure ensuring secure scalable and equitable access.
• Oversees a complex portfolio of IT services and platforms including corporate and clinical systems research computing environments and digital infrastructure ensuring service excellence and long term sustainability.
• Directs the allocation and management of technology resources including staff contractors consultants vendors and outsourced service providers to ensure capacity aligns with demand and strategic priorities.
• Manages institutional relationships with vendors consultants and service providers at a strategic level evaluating alignment managing escalations and protecting organizational interests in commercial negotiations.
• Leads enterprise initiatives to integrate and modernize informatics systems standardize metrics and enable real time data driven visibility across the research administration lifecycle including pre award clinical trials contracting compliance and workforce development.
• Leads the institutions practical adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation including large language models (LLM) strategy Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) based tools and intelligent search in a regulated healthcare research environment.
• Enables system interoperability and data integration across platforms supporting research and development activities and advancing institutional data stewardship and literacy.
• Provides leadership for IT security cybersecurity disaster recovery and risk management programs ensuring protection of organizational assets and personal health information.
• Oversees departmental operations including recruitment retention performance management professional development and succession planning for IT staff. Leads and manages the IT Services team by providing clear direction coaching and guidance to foster a high-performing collaborative environment. Evaluates individual and team performance addresses concerns and promotes continuous learning and professional development through personal development plans.
• Models key behaviors encourages dialogue and facilitates resolution of work issues while ensuring alignment of team goals with organizational priorities and customer needs. Builds trust team spirit and mutual respect and when necessary investigates workplace issues and initiates appropriate disciplinary actions up to and including termination.
• Defends and contextualizes the value of digital investment to institutional finance and senior leadership connecting technology costs to organizational outcomes. Manages operational and project budgets for the IT portfolio including business case development resource prioritization and fiscal stewardship.
• Identifies assesses and mitigates risks related to technology operations and service delivery escalating issues to senior leadership as appropriate.
• Maintains awareness of changes in health systems research environments and care delivery models to identify opportunities for innovation improvement and value added initiatives.
• Provides clear written and oral reports and briefings to senior leadership the Board partner health authorities and external stakeholders as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Who We Are:

Providence Health Care is one of the largest faith-based health care organizations in Canada. For the people at Providence living our Mission Vision and Values means providing British Columbians with compassionate socially just exceptional and innovative care every day.

From our humble roots 129 years ago Providence Health Care has grown into a globally recognized leader in research teaching and care. As individuals within a mission-driven organization we choose to be part of PHC because we value its long-standing dedication to social justice and compassionate care its active efforts to advance environmental sustainability and planetary health and its meaningful engagement in the process of Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Curious about working at PHC and the culture of our teams Check out the video below to learn more and meet some of the members of the team youd be joining:

We acknowledge that Providence Health Care and the new St. Pauls Hospital site is located on the traditional ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples including the territories of the xʷməθkwəyəm (Musqueam) Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səlílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.