Executive Director, Digital Strategies

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 142,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Of Toronto invites applications for the position of Executive Director, Digital Strategies. This role will lead digital transformation aligned with academic goals, having a central impact on institutional policies and strategies. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in information technology and leadership, with a strong capability in strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in senior IT roles with enterprise systems experience.
• Experience in leading digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and oversight for digital transformation initiatives.
• Manage development and implementation of long term digital strategies.
• Coordinate with various institutional portfolios for decision-making support.

Skills

Digital strategy development

Leadership

Project management methodologies

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

University degree in Computer Science, Information Science or relevant degree

Post-graduate degree

PMP designation or similar accreditation

Tools

Analytics platforms

CRM systems

Project management tools

Job description

Date Posted: 07/17/2025
Req ID: 44317
Faculty/Division: VP & Provost
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 workscollaboratively 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 ofinstitutional 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 developdecision-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 leading digital transformation initiatives.
-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