Director, Information Technology Strategy & Security

At Sheridan technology continually shapes the experience of our students and our broader community. With a quickly evolving technological landscape including AI evolving cyber threats and changing student expectations reshaping higher education - were looking for a senior leader who is energized by that responsibility and ready to help drive the institution forward. Reporting to the AVP and Chief Information Officer the Director IT Strategy and Information Security (the Director) is responsible for coordinating efforts in collaboration with the AVP & CIO and other senior executive leaders that shape Sheridans long-term technology direction and safeguards the institutions digital environment. This role provides strategic leadership across three high-impact portfolios at the heart of Sheridans digital future: IT Strategy & Technology Innovation Information Security and Compliance and the IT Project Management Office (PMO).
The IT Strategy and Technology Innovation function shapes Sheridans multi-year technology strategy while also championing and supporting experimentation and innovation in new technology across the institution.
The Information Security function protects Sheridans people data and digital services from a fast-evolving threat landscape encompassing policy training and awareness risk and compliance incident response and internal and external assurance practices. Working with the AVP & CIO and Sheridans senior leadership the Director leads the planning and implementation of an institution-wide information security strategy and vision as a component of the institutions larger IT strategy.
The IT Project Management Office turns strategy into outcomes driving disciplined project execution and the successful delivery of technology initiatives that move Sheridan forward. Working with the AVP & CIO and Sheridans senior leadership the Director ensures that investments support Sheridans mission and its overarching IT strategy.

What Youll Be Doing

• Leading the development execution and continuous improvement of the institutions information security governance strategy program and roadmap ensuring alignment with industry best practices institutional context and IT priorities.
• Establishing and maintaining security governance policies standards and procedures and ensures consistent implementation across campuses systems and services.
• Setting and managing the annual IT Security operating budget in collaboration with the Senior Manager IT Finance and Business Operations and the AVP & CIO.
• Directing enterprise security risk management activities including risk assessments threat modelling and control selection and advises leadership on risk acceptance and mitigation priorities.
• Overseeing incident response and cyber crisis management including preparedness planning development of playbooks facilitation of tabletop exercises coordination with internal and external partners and post-incident reviews.
• Leading security awareness and training programs to promote appropriate user behaviour reduce phishing and social engineering risks and strengthen a culture of shared accountability.
• Ensuring that security requirements are embedded in projects and operational changes through a secure-by-design approach including participation in architecture reviews assessment of vendor and third-party risk and incorporation of security clauses in contracts.
• Coordinating compliance activities related to privacy audit and regulatory obligations and develops supporting documentation reporting and remediation plans as required.
• Defining and reporting on security metrics and key performance indicators such as risk posture vulnerabilities awareness levels and incident trends and provides regular updates to the AVP & CIO and senior leadership.
• Providing strategic leadership for ITs Project Management Office including the development and continuous improvement of project management practices across the organization.
• Collaborating with institutional stakeholders on the intake prioritization and portfolio management of IT projects ensuring alignment with institutional and IT strategies available resources and budget constraints.
• Developing annual IT project portfolio budget proposals in partnership with the Senior Manager IT Finance and Business Operations and with guidance from the AVP & CIO.
• Ensuring strong project controls across scope schedule budget benefits and risk regularly reviewing project health and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Leading resourcing and capacity planning for project delivery including the allocation of internal staff and contractors prioritization of work and resolution of resource conflicts.
• Providing clear and transparent portfolio reporting including executive dashboards on project status risks financials and benefits to the AVP & CIO and institutional leadership.
• Recruiting hiring and onboarding staff including overseeing contractor onboarding as needed ensuring role clarity and alignment with team capabilities and priorities.
• Setting clear expectations and accountabilities and providing regular feedback performance coaching and formal performance management aligned with institutional values and objectives.
• Developing team capability through individual development plans mentoring training opportunities succession planning and supported career progression.
• Performing other duties as required.

About You
You have the skills and knowledge to work with an increasingly diverse student and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression equity and inclusion.

You bring broad knowledge and understanding of current information and communication technologies and their relation to College business and academic strategic objectives.

You have an advanced understanding of Information Security risk management and the applicable compliance requirements and regulatory acts and how they apply within an Ontario public sector organization.

You translate complex technical security and compliance concepts into clear compelling messages for technical and non-technical audiences alike.

You bring demonstrated experience with advising and influencing various stakeholders including senior management.

You demonstrate exemplary time management and organizational skills to effectively manage multiple concurrent projects that vary in size scope complexity and duration.

You lead with intention building strong teams supporting the growth of your team members and creating conditions where people to their best work.

The successful candidate will also meet the following qualifications:

• 4-year Bachelors degree or 3-year diploma/degree with a post graduate certificate in Business Computer Science Engineering or another related field.
• 9-years of progressive experience in computing and information security including experience with Internet technology and security issues. (equivalencies to be considered)
• Must have recognized certification / accreditation for Information Systems Security such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) SANS GIAC designation or other recognized security certification / accreditation.
• The following certifications are desired; Project Management Certification (PMP PRINCE2 SAFe etc.) Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF etc.) and Governance and Management of IT (CGEIT COBIT ITIL etc.)
• Must have maintained current technical proficiency (skills and knowledge) through professional activities and/or additional formal training in technology customer service business.
• Must have leadership and performance management experience; teambuilding and mentoring/coaching.
• Must have experience with business continuity planning auditing and risk management as well as contract and vendor negotiation.
• Must have knowledge of business ecosystems cloud solutions technology and process optimization.

Who We Are

Every member of the Sheridan community is passionate about the transformational role we play in peoples lives. Our strategic plan Sheridan 2027: Forging the Future ( charts a path towards a new ground-breaking model of higher education that reshapes post-secondary education and better prepares students for the future. We are committed to demonstrably advancing equity diversity and inclusivity. Diversity is our strength and fuels our commitment to excellence. Across our campuses were making meaningful strides towards developing an equitable and inclusive community.

• For more information visit: Why Work at Sheridan

Other Details
Faculty/Department: Information Technology Department
Primary Work/Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)
Work Categorization: Hybrid Position On-site at least 3 days/week
Reference #: J0426-0911
Employee Group: Administrative
Type of Vacancy: This is a new position
Payband: NO
Salary Range: $126723 - $158403
Application Deadline: June 5 2026

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia stewarding the land the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today the culture and presence of First Nations Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.
Over two centuries ago the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820 eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14 also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.
Treaty history is foundational and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land as we honour and respect those who have gone before us those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning working and thriving on this land and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.
Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including those who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk Black members of racialized communities persons with disabilities women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Sheridan will provide job applicants with accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation please contact Human Resources.

You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments if applicable.