Director, IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

Mount Royal University Career Services; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 128,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian academic institution in Calgary is seeking a Director for IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity. The ideal candidate will provide strategic leadership for technology operations, manage risks, and lead diverse teams. A Bachelor's degree in a related field and extensive experience in a senior role are required. This role offers a hybrid work model with competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Paid vacation

Health and dental benefits

Retirement plan

Membership in recreation centre

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree required, a degree in Business Administration preferred.
• 10 years of experience in ITS, 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing high-performing technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership in ITS strategic planning.
• Manage operational risks and develop technology proposals.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery.

Skills

Leadership

Technical Acumen

Risk Management

Communication

Team Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

Tools

Security Architecture

Cloud Computing

Networking

Job description

Job Title: Director, IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity

Job Type: Permanent; Union: Management; Position Classification: MLV2 Management; Salary Grade: FT or PT; Full-time; Hybrid Work. Position End Date: (if applicable)

Location: MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

About This Position

About the Department

Mount Royal University’s Information Technology Services supports our mission by providing technical support, solutions, and diversified services to the Mount Royal community.

• Solutions Delivery
• Technology & Client Services
• IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity
• ITS Projects

About The Role

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director is the ultimate authority for the development, engineering, stable operation, and defense of Mount Royal University's essential technology infrastructure. This scope encompasses data center operations, comprehensive network services, telecommunication systems, and the University's Security Operations (SecOps) function and architecture.

Responsibilities

The Director, ITS Infrastructure & Cybersecurity is accountable for the following primary areas, ensuring activities directly support the ITS Strategy:

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Vision Integration: Provides vision and leadership in the development and implementation of the ITS long‑term strategic plan, ensuring deep alignment with the University's objectives (Vision 2030) and the Finance and Administration Strategy.
• Cyber Risk Management: Establishes and leads the institutional IT risk management framework. Identifies potential vulnerabilities, manages operational risks, and provides significant contributions to MRU’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) practice.
• Risk and Proposals: Manages operational risks and provides significant contributions to MRU’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) practice. In collaboration with clients, develops major technology proposals, enhancements, and business cases for governance prioritization.
• Reporting: Prepares and presents regular, transparent status reports to executive stakeholders, outlining project progress, resource utilization, and budget performance, and the institutional security posture.

Infrastructure Operations and Technical Modernization

• System Lifecycle Management: Manages the entire lifecycle—planning, design, development, testing, implementation, operation, and maintenance—of all mission‑critical infrastructure hardware and services, ensuring integrated, efficient, and secure day‑to‑day operations.
• Security Architecture: Defines and maintains the security architecture for the university's technology stack, ensuring security controls are correctly integrated into system design, deployment processes, and architectural review.
• Cyber Resilience & Recovery: Shares ownership and accountability for comprehensive business continuity, disaster recovery, and the Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CSIRP). Leads the implementation of measures to ensure IT services delivery, data integrity, and protection of personal privacy.
• Vulnerability & Threat Management: Oversees all vulnerability scanning, penetration testing coordination, patch management, and security monitoring activities to proactively defend against threats.

Financial Stewardship and Vendor Management

• Budget Oversight: Develops the unit's annual budgets, including projections, monitoring revenues and expenditures, and conducting ongoing resource and cost‑benefit analysis in collaboration with the CIO.
• Contract Management: Leads or participates in contractor selection and contract negotiation for major agreements, including software licensing, hardware procurement, and outsourced support services, to ensure optimal value and service quality.

Team Leadership and Development

• Talent Management: Leads, coaches, and mentors a diverse team of IT professionals, including infrastructure engineers and cybersecurity specialists, managing all aspects of the employment lifecycle, including recruiting, professional development, setting priorities, and conducting performance reviews, to build the capability required for Vision 2030.

Qualifications

Other duties as assigned.

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field or equivalent experience is required. A degree in Business Administration or Management is highly desirable and preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the ITS field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing technology delivery in a large, complex, and mission‑critical enterprise environment (e.g., higher education, healthcare, or government).
• Demonstrated mastery and strategic oversight in the operation, maintenance, architectural design, and modernization of core infrastructure technologies AND the design, implementation, and management of an enterprise cybersecurity program, including incident response and security operations.
• Proven experience successfully managing high‑performing technical teams and steering multi‑year, multi‑million dollar capital projects from initiation through completion.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading and developing diverse teams, managing annual budgets, and overseeing high‑value vendor contracts.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies in networking, cloud computing, data centers, and security practices.

• Operational and Technical Proficiency:
• Deep understanding of current and emerging technologies in networking, cloud computing, data centers, security architecture, cyber defense, and compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST).
• Demonstrated mastery of key IT methodologies including Project Management, Business Analysis, and Enterprise Architecture.
• Proactive capability in maintaining current technical and managerial knowledge through active learning and industry engagement.
• Thorough understanding of application delivery methodologies and the effective operationalization of IT client‑facing services.
• Relevant certifications in both infrastructure (e.g., Cloud, Network) and cybersecurity (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CISA) are assets.
• Strategic and Leadership Skills:
• Demonstrated ability to inspire, coach, and mentor a high‑performing technical team.
• Excellent business acumen, organizational, managerial, and planning skills, with proven ability to align team execution with strategic goals.
• Ability to take initiative, work effectively with limited direction, and maintain composure while managing stress and uncertainty in a dynamic environment.
• Strong capacity for stakeholder management, effectively working with both internal functional units and external organizations/partners.
• Operational and Technical Proficiency:
• Demonstrated mastery of key IT methodologies including Project Management, Business Analysis, and Enterprise Architecture.
• Proactive capability in maintaining current technical and managerial knowledge through active learning and industry engagement.
• Thorough understanding of application delivery methodologies and the effective operationalization of IT client‑facing services.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills capable of translating complex technical issues into clear business terms for executive consumption.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, demonstrating tact, patience, and professionalism when dealing with a wide range of clients, peers, and staff.
• Advanced negotiation skills for managing high‑stakes vendor and service contracts.

Salary

$128,011.00 - $176,654.00

Closing Date

November 27, 2025

Application instructions: A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one PDF document. Please title your PDF document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.

If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [e-mail] and we will work together on your accommodation request.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid‑sized university in 2009. A student‑focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top‑calibre programs, high‑quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full‑time and 4,030 part‑time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's Academic Plan and Strategic Plan.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post‑secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.