Executive Director, Digital Strategies

InsideHigherEd; Greater Sudbury; On-site; CAD 142,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is searching for an Executive Director for Digital Strategies to lead the digital transformation efforts within the university. The role requires significant experience in IT, strategic planning, and a strong understanding of academic administration. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing large-scale digital projects and fostering collaboration across various institutional portfolios.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Flexible Work Arrangements

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in IT at a senior level.
• Experience in academic administration and enterprise systems.
• Strong understanding of digital strategy development and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Office of Digital Strategies and execute digital strategies.
• Manage cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives.
• Oversee development and implementation of digital plans.

Skills

Leadership

Digital Strategy Development

Project Management

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

University degree in Computer science or information science

Post-graduate degree

PMP designation

Job description

Department : Office of Digital Strategies

Campus : St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description : Position Summary :

The Digital Strategies portfolio provides leadership on institutional digital strategies, focusing on enterprise-level services and systems, with a particular emphasis on information technology related to the academic mission of the University. The Digital Strategies portfolio works collaboratively with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead strategic planning efforts in close consultation with Deans, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Provosts and other academic administrators. A key focus will be the renewal of U of T’s student information systems, and the advancement of institutional policy, guidelines and projects.

The Executive Director, Digital Strategies leads the Office of Digital Strategies to realize the mandate of the Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies (AVP-VP, DS). The Executive Director, Digital Strategies leads in a highly collaborative and responsive manner, working with institutional portfolios and academic divisions to advance digital transformation in support of the academic mission. The Executive Director manages the development, approval, implementation, and monitoring of a Digital Strategies Long Range Plan to underpin the next century of innovation and excellence in research, teaching, and learning at U of T, and to align with institutional objectives such as supporting student success and enhancing student experience. The Executive Director provides ongoing oversight and support to management and decision-making to ensure that measures are being used to effectively manage operations and effect institutional change. The Executive Director spearheads the adoption of continuous improvement models for enterprise-level services and systems related to the academic mission, ensuring resource optimization and effective monitoring.

The Executive Director maintains cross-functional visibility across various portfolios (e.g. academic, student, research, finance, human resources) to help drive strategic initiatives forward and surface critical issues, and to support decision-making in line with the Plan and develop decision-making and advisory frameworks and structures for institutional digital strategies, including but not limited to the institutional academic and student application (IASA) ecosystem. The Executive Director translates broad objectives into outcome-focused program plans and maintains Digital Strategies-related roadmaps outlining key milestones, deliverables, and timelines. Collaboration with the CIO’s portfolio and Institutional Research & Data Governance (IRDG) will be crucial to understand and articulate the current and future needs in Digital Strategies as well as those of the IASA ecosystem.

The role encompasses strategic planning, program management, coordination of IT services, and financial and risk management. Responsibilities also include developing, maintaining, and monitoring an inventory of institutional academic and student applications, facilitating enhancements, renewals, replacements, or retirements as needed.

Qualifications Required :

Education :

• University degree in Computer science, information science or other relevant degree; or equivalent in education and experience.
• A post-graduate degree is an asset.
• PMP designation or similar accreditation is an asset.

Experience :

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant experience in information technology at a senior level with demonstrated experience with enterprise systems in a complex, decentralized, large-scale institutional or corporate environment.
• Experience in academic administration, including knowledge of policies, procedures, organizational structure, and governance.
• Experience in identifying digital opportunities and developing strategies to capitalize on them.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects (milestones, budgets, resourcing), business process change, and / or technology application development and implementation.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and working collaboratively with other senior executives.
• Experience in policy and guideline development and governance processes.
• Experience in change management and conflict resolution.

Skills :

• Deep understanding of digital strategy development, implementation, and optimization.
• Understanding of enterprise-level IT services and systems related to the academic mission.
• Ability to develop and execute long-term digital strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of digital transformation and emerging digital technologies.
• Proficiency in digital strategy tools and software, such as analytics platforms, CRM systems, and project management tools.
• Ability to leverage information and technology to solve problems and accomplish goals.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans in collaboration with senior academic, IT, data, and finance leaders

Other :

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and lead a high-performing digital strategy team.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to addressing digital strategy challenges.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with senior academic administrators and technical staff, and the ability to effectively present digital strategy information to various stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
• Consultative approach to driving digital transformation and fostering collaboration.
• Problem-solving aptitude for complex challenges.

Closing Date : 08 / 01 / 2025, 11 : 59PM ET

Employee Group : Salaried

Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing

Schedule : Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone : PM 7 Hiring Zone : $142,651 - $166,427 Broadband Salary Range : $142,651 - $237,752

Job Category : Administrative / Managerial

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Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http : / / uoft.me / UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail] .

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