Director, IT Partnerships

Competition 1164

While this position welcomes applications from the public, please note that preference will be given to current employees at the University of Alberta. Please login to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this full-time continuing position offers an annual salary range that will be commensurate with qualifications. 

In addition to the salary, the University provides a comprehensive Total Rewards and Benefits package. 

• The costs for core benefit programs are paid by the University.  
• Eligible employees may choose to purchase additional insurance coverage through payroll deduction. 
• The Universities Academic Pension Plan (UAPP) is a defined benefit plan and contributions are shared equally by the University and the employee. 
• Vacation for full-time continuing MAPS (Management and Professional Staff) employees commences at 25 days per year, plus 5 personal leave days.
• In addition, employees are entitled to time off during the winter closure period, tuition remission for U of A courses, and access to recreation and sports facilities! 

A list of the comprehensive benefits package can be found on our Benefits Overview page.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Information Services & Technology

Information Services & Technology (IST) is the central support group for the university's technological landscape. IST plays a pivotal role in ensuring the evolution and smooth operation of technology for teaching, learning, research and working at the University of Alberta. Beyond having expansive technical expertise, IST fosters a supportive environment where our staff values include compassion, connection, collaboration, creativity and courage. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to empower education, research and to drive institutional excellence, join us and be part of shaping the future of the University of Alberta through innovative IT solutions.

Position 

Reporting to the CIO, Associate Vice-President of Information Services & Technology (IST), the Director, IT Partnerships is an integral role within the delivery of IST functions. Directors are expected to generate excitement, engagement, support and momentum for their area's initiatives. As leaders, they straddle the worlds of operational and strategic leadership, translating strategic vision into operational/action plans for their staff. The Director, IT Partnerships leads an engaged, client-focused, IT partnership team, including local, specialized IT support teams, charged with building and maintaining effective and productive working relationships and practices within their client areas. In collaboration with the IT centres of expertise, along with Shared Services, the director is accountable for leading and delivering on strategic initiatives, managing a large breadth of client services, and driving forward-thinking change by modeling a service based culture.

Duties 

Strategic Influencer:

• Contributes expertise and insight to the development of university, portfolio and area strategies
• Champions the development of proactive strategies or initiatives. Educates the university on emerging trends in IT; anticipates impacts of these trends on future service delivery and addresses and workforce planning requirements
• Provides comprehensive advice, recommendations and perspectives on current organizational activities and issues related to IT
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to identify joint objectives and initiatives

Talent Manager:

• Identifies, acquires, manages and supports collective and individual talent
• Works towards establishing a diverse workforce reflective of the broader community
• Sets and communicates clear performance expectations for staff. Gives honest feedback to staff, consistently recognizes performance but also effectively identifies and coaches performance issues
• Creates an environment where ideas, learnings and achievements are recognized, rewarded and celebrated

Innovator:

• Proactively identifies the need for change within one's own area. Searches beyond own area and the university for new methods, trends and innovative approaches. Challenges the status quo. Develops, tests, and delivers new methods or approaches
• Creates a safe environment that supports taking responsible risks and learns from setbacks and mistakes
• Champions change and innovation; anticipates barriers to the flow of new ideas; proactively addresses issues and resistance
• Demonstrates resilience and positivity in an environment which may present resistance to innovation and change

Issue Resolver:

• Analyses complex situations to find solutions. Gathers, interprets, synthesizes and evaluates information from a wide range of sources and perspectives. Reasons critically and thinks conceptually based on a thorough understanding of the context
• Champions innovative and novel solutions to support client needs
• Creates practical and pragmatic solutions that are reasonable to implement. Engage others, including functional experts, in collaborative problem solving when necessary

Communicator:

• Demonstrates persuasive, engaging, clear and credible communication to gain support and commitment in varied situations from a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrates flexibility in approach and language use when delivering to varied audiences (e.g. use of examples, analogies, storytelling)
• Skillfully handles complex, on-the-spot questions from audiences. Addresses any conflict with well-considered responses. Communicates strategically, considering optimal timing, style, channel, medium and form of communication
• Ensures communication plans are developed for area initiatives and implemented so stakeholders are informed in a timely, consistent and accurate manner

Relationship Manager:

• Identifes key influencers and creates internal networks. Uses networks to shape objectives and build support for ideas, initiatives and directions
• Fosters collaboration within the area and across the university. Shares information when appropriate. Identifies opportunities and develops strategies for collaboration. Encourages staff to participate in collaborative initiatives
• Develops positive client relationships. Addresses issues or conflicts immediately and supports beneficial resolution
• Develops communities of practice internally and externally to the university

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a related field with significant leadership experience preferably in post-secondary, government or health-care industries
• Strong planning, project management and leadership skills with a proactive approach to initiatives management; ability to lead and manage change
• Considerable and demonstrable experience in providing exemplary client service
• Highly developed skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, relationship building
• Excellent intrapersonal and communication skills
• Ability to operate within a complex, multi-stakeholder work environment and demonstrate political acuity and tact
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and to handle sensitive material appropriately
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyse and summarise complex issues