Director - Data Strategy and Planning

TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, London Economic Development Corporation; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 92,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Data Strategy and Planning to lead innovative data initiatives. This pivotal role demands a strategic mindset, innovative leadership, and exceptional influencing skills to bridge the gap between business and technology. You will advocate for data capabilities, drive insights, and support growth across business units. Your ability to develop compelling delivery plans and foster strong relationships will be key in shaping data roadmaps that align with business outcomes. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to maximizing the value of data in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the data landscape and ability to develop delivery plans.
• Experience in implementing data frameworks and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Promote the direction of the Data program and support business cases.
• Develop compelling presentations for senior management and stakeholders.

Skills

Innovative leadership

Strategic mindset

Excellent verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Influencing skills

Education

Post-secondary degree in Business or STEM

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Power BI

Job description

We are looking for a Director, Data Strategy and Planning.

The Canada data team is on an ambitious journey to push the boundaries of what is possible. We are at the inflection point of using latest technology stacks to maximize the value we drive for the organization. Success in this role is a combination of aligning to business goals and driving the data strategy and priorities to build technology and data solutions to achieve those goals. You are a collaborator and always at the center of what we do within the Canada Data team!

The Director of Data Strategy & Planning is responsible for understanding and translating data needs and desired outcomes across the lines of business (LOBs). This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between business and technology, advancing the data agenda, and realizing value. The Director of Data Strategy & Planning will promote and maximize our data capabilities, driving insights and supporting growth. This role will guide the direction of processes, including intake and ensuring timely delivery of data services. Additionally, the incumbent will create opportunity assessment frameworks and facilitate workshops with LOBs to ensure resources are allocated to jointly prioritized projects. This will drive the strategy and priority of capabilities that the Canada Data team will need to build and support.

The role will be responsible for planning activities and the successful delivery of business unit (BU) priority initiatives. This will require establishing strong working relationships with business functions to serve as their advocate when strategizing with internal data teams. The Director of Data Strategy & Planning will motivate the Data team to achieve business target outcomes while adhering to approved data policies and standards.

What You Will Do

• Promote the direction of the Data program, supporting business cases and various enterprise-wide high-level projects and programs.
• Serve as a champion for the data team, promoting approved tools and processes. Participate in building and maintaining a BU roadmap that details data requirements needed for successful implementation. Use design thinking and opportunity assessment frameworks to help inform BU priority initiatives based on data needs and requirements.
• Provide delivery excellence that enables full adoption of data team tools and services while resolving operational bottlenecks and issues that impede successful implementation for the business.
• Develop compelling presentations and updates for senior management and stakeholders to articulate the vision and influence the need to leverage data securely as a strategic asset.
• Establish and communicate business team strategies and plans to help shape data roadmaps that support business outcomes.
• Lead the Data Adoption initiatives to ensure stakeholders are adequately trained and understand our products, which will enable them to drive value in their areas.

What You Will Bring

• Innovative leadership with a deep understanding of the data landscape. Ability to develop delivery plans that create a unique and compelling customer experience; challenge the organization to think differently about how it interacts with its customers; and see a path to realize an enhanced vision using data.
• Ability to “deep dive” into business details while staying focused on the big picture, connecting the dots, and thinking critically about changing trends and business conditions that impact data tools and technology.
• Strategic mindset with demonstrated experience in implementing data frameworks and driving continuous improvement.
• Exceptional influencing skills; adept at driving organizational change through partnership, collaboration, and leadership rather than title or line authority. Provide effective guidance related to complex technical projects and regulatory requirements.
• Strong working relationships with business teams that enable transparency of business and data objectives. Demonstrated strength in building relationships and influencing change effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups, including senior management.
• Post-secondary degree in a related field (Business or STEM discipline) or equivalent experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail, ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Expertise in Microsoft products (Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Power BI as an asset).

The base salary for this position is between $92,100.00 - 160,000.00 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation (i.e. annual bonus, commission etc.). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Be your best at Canada Life - Apply today!

Canada Life serves the financial security needs of more than 13 million people across Canada, with additional operations in Europe and the United States. As members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies, we’re one of Canada’s leading insurers with interests in life insurance, health insurance, investment and retirement savings. We offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses and organizations.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and to creating an environment where every employee has the opportunity to reach their potential.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

#LI-Hybrid

Requisition ID: 2810

Category: Digital Technology

Location:

Toronto, ON, CA Winnipeg, MB, CA London, ON, CA

Date: Feb 3, 2025