Chief Information Officer, AVP of Information Services and Technology

Competition 2193

The University of Alberta has engaged DHR International Canada Inc. to manage this search. To explore this exciting opportunity further, please contact or submit your resume to pcameron@dhrglobal.com. This position will remain open until the position is filled.

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place 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 FirstPeoples 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 over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 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.

We build the university of tomorrow for the students who are seeking their purpose. For the educators and researchers who pursue theirs in the lab and share it in the classroom - and around the world. For our alumni and partners who deliver greater good into our communities. Working together alongside and in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and all under-represented voices. We weave together a tapestry of backgrounds and cultures, because we are made stronger by our diversity.

Under the leadership of the University’s 14th President and Vice Chancellor, Bill Flanagan, the University of Alberta continues to move forward with purpose as one of the world’s most respected public universities, at its foundation lie talented people - students, faculty, and staff - who with their creativity, ingenuity and drive, join in advancing human knowledge and pursuing scientific discovery for the benefit of all. We seek to foster an inclusive culture in which people excel through exchange and collaboration, enriched by the diversity of individuals, groups, disciplines, perspectives, approaches, and questions that characterize its community.

The University of Alberta has embarked on a period of major transformation, building on its long history of leadership in the province and in Canada's post-secondary sector. With fundamental systemic reform, we set a bold new direction for the university of tomorrow.

The university’s new operating model is taking an array of highly decentralized services and centralizing them within centres of excellence that are delivered through a network of shared services. Core to the model is the establishment of the university’s three new colleges and a new administrative model. Two separate service centres focus on staff and student needs, streamlining transactional services and processes. Centres of Expertise provide specialized services and Service Partners provide functional support to faculties and units. We are committed to leveraging excellence within all departments and faculties to improve both academic and administrative performance as One University.

Moving forward, we make this simple, but vital promise:

We, the University of Alberta, will never be satisfied with the “now.” We will always be seeking, always be challenging and, most of all, always be leading.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Vice-President, University Services and Finance, the Associate Vice-President, Information Services & Technology and Chief Information Officer (AVP) is responsible for delivering and executing the University’s Technology Strategy. To realize the strategy, the AVP will provide strategic leadership, development, and direction regarding all aspects of the university’s information management and technology, including cybersecurity. The AVP will also drive continuous operational efficiencies through technological innovation.

As a customer-centric innovative leader, the AVP must form collaborative partnerships with academic and business leaders to effectively identify and execute on technology related opportunities to achieve university objectives, deliver products and services, develop information capabilities, and improve operational performance across the university. Additionally, the AVP will create an insights-led culture by developing, acquiring, and implementing the technology and the team required to provide world-class IT solutions in support of the university’s core mandates. 

Key Accountabilities

The position will include the following responsibilities:

Technology and Innovation Leadership

• Develop, analyze, oversee, and continuously improve the information architecture and framework that will inform IT solutions and support the organization’s goals and service needs;
• Execute a comprehensive, clear IT strategy that exhibits effective planning and ensures agility;
• Establish enterprise resource planning and a comprehensive IT roadmap which supports maturing the central IT function, services, and partnerships;
• Lead the university’s strategic adoption and integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies;
• Collaborate with other leaders to identify opportunities to innovate service delivery, develop information capabilities, and improve operational performance and processes;
• Oversee IT infrastructure, security, and software development, ensuring cost effectiveness, efficiency, integration, security, accessibility, and sustainability;
• In collaboration with university partners, lead investigations into real and potential IT threats and breaches;
• Track, analyze, and monitor technology performance metrics to continually improve performance outcomes and deliverables;
• Provide senior leadership and expertise in the development of information technology policies and procedures; and
• Oversee the development and project management of new applications and tools for existing systems and processes.

Strategic/Operational Leadership

• Deliver and evaluate the IT strategy, including oversight for risk management, infrastructure, business intelligence, and people leadership;
• Provide oversight for cyber security through the Chief Information Security Office, including, but not limited to, developing and presenting regular cyber security updates to a non-technical executive audience by way of incident response plans, guiding risk assessments, and current state analysis, to ensure a robust cyber security framework and service;
• Oversee and collaborate on IT governance structures and committees which define strategic, operational, and technical decision-making processes to ensure innovative, efficient, and effective use of technology across the university;
• Ensure IT policies and procedures are aligned with university policy, external legislative requirements, and leading practices;
• Build strong relationships with business groups and their leaders across the university, and develop a detailed understanding of their technology-related issues, challenges, and opportunities;
• Deliver exemplary value-added IT services for the organization for colleagues, partners, and clients, while ensuring that results and deliverables are achieved within the university’s parameters;
• Being accountable for an operating expenditure  budget of $73 million, contribute to sound financial management by developing and implementing IT strategic, capital, and operating plans and budgets that are in alignment with the university’s plans/goals;
• Analyze financial and statistical operating results to inform the overall functional budget and service/technology-related agreements;
• Identify operational risks, complete program/service reviews, and develop recommendations and action plans; and
• Support IT-related education and awareness programs and training across the university.

People/Team Leadership

• As the executive leader of approximately 300 people, establish a supportive IT team that collaborates across the university to deliver world class technology solutions;
• Build IT talent by ensuring employees have the training and skills needed to utilize the available technology to meet business needs;
• Manage talent effectively to support employee growth and engagement;
• Build and maintain trusted, collaborative relationships within the team, across the institution, and with external providers;
• Demonstrate a collaborative approach to advancing the organization as One University;
• Lead and inspire others within the organization to seek and implement improvements and changes that continuously move the university toward achievement of its goals; and
• Consistently deliver exceptional results by demonstrating drive, initiative, engagement, collaboration, and accountability, and instill these characteristics within the IT team.

Qualifications

Education:

• Completion of a Master’s of Business Administration, or Master’s in a related field would be considered;
• Relevant professional designations, such as Certified in Governance of IT (CGEIT) or Certified in Information Technology Management (CITM), are considered an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of experience in an information technology senior management role in a large, complex organization, with extensive experience in the public sector - particularly post-secondary education - being an asset;
• Experience working within complex and politically sensitive environments;
• Strong knowledge of federal and provincial technology and privacy standards;
• Track record of success in creating and executing technology roadmaps and mid- to long-range strategic plans;
•  Enterprise resource planning implementation experience;
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to successfully deliver goals and projects;
• Experience reviewing, updating, and implementing system conversions;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse leaders, communicate IT and business intelligence visions and strategies across all levels of the organization, and build consensus around key initiatives and projects;
• Knowledge of leadership practices in people management, strategic planning, risk management, policy development, financial management, and stakeholder relationship management;
• Strong understanding of security technologies (intrusion prevention systems, firewalls, etc.) and a firm grasp of business risk management;
• Knowledge of contemporary best practices in information management and technology programs and service delivery models;
• Knowledge in IT applications, infrastructure, security, and their integration;
• Knowledge of project management principles and planning;
• Demonstrated commitment to creating a work environment where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported; and
• Knowledge of issues and trends at the University of Alberta and in the higher education sector related to the use of technology and information management is an asset.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that result in the required level of knowledge, skill, and competence, may be considered.

Competencies and Attributes:

• A high degree of initiative, judgment and resourcefulness, flexibility, and a self-motivated approach;
• The ability to lead a large team with a view to completing tasks with only broad direction and minimal supervision;
• A drive for action and results;
• A proven leader with ingrained tact and diplomacy;
• Known as one who inspires confidence and is able to command authority with a range of colleagues;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, while also possessing effective listening skills;
• Ability to assimilate data to identify opportunities and risks/issues and to formulate and confirm best approaches to effectively deal with both; and
• An ability to produce high-quality reports and plans in order to gain support and agreement to change.