Associate Vice-president, Information Technology

Associate Vice-President, Information Technology

Sudbury, Ontario

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Laurentian University is seeking a visionary and empathetic leader to take on a unique opportunity as Associate Vice-President, Information Technology who will play a key role in implementing key parts of the University’s transformation plan.

The Organization

Laurentian University is located within the territory of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and recognizes its placement on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and that the City of Greater Sudbury also includes the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation. We extend our deepest respect to Indigenous peoples - as a sign of our continued relationship we will support Laurentian University’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force Recommendations.

Laurentian University currently serves approximately 6000 students and is one of two bilingual universities in the province of Ontario. Committed to its bilingual, tricultural mandate, Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. The University’s beautiful, forested campus is surrounded by fresh-water lakes, conservation lands and hundreds of kilometres of cross-country and hiking trails while situated in the geographic centre of Greater Sudbury, Northern Ontario’s major urban centre (population 160,000). Laurentian University has close and productive ties to Science North, Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Lab (SNOLAB), Health Sciences North and multiple post-secondary institutions.

Soon to celebrate its 65th anniversary, Laurentian University’s vision for the future is as a university focused on the needs of the north and the communities it serves. The University prepares its graduates to be the next generation of leaders who bring innovative solutions to local and global issues.

The Role

Reporting to the Vice-President, Finance and Administration, this senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and advancing the University’s IT strategy, overseeing infrastructure and development, and delivering technology solutions that enhance the University’s teaching, research, and administrative capabilities. The Associate Vice-President, Information Technology (AVP, IT) will play a critical role in fostering a culture of innovation and service excellence that aligns with University’s mission and strategic priorities. The AVP, IT will provide leadership and oversight to the University’s Information Technology portfolio, ensuring the delivery of robust, reliable, and advancing technology solutions. The AVP, IT will lead a team responsible for IT strategy, cybersecurity, infrastructure, development & support, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that technology enables the University’s strategic plan and operational goals.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic IT Leadership: The AVP, IT will develop and implement an innovative and comprehensive IT strategy that encompasses emerging technologies and aligns with the University’s strategic direction. This includes fostering digital transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency and enhance the student and employee experience.

Operational Oversight: The AVP will oversee all IT functions, including infrastructure management, security, desktop services, and the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. They will ensure the seamless operation of IT, with a focus on reliability, scalability, and resiliency.

Collaboration and Partnership: The AVP will work closely with all university leaders and partners to identify technology needs, prioritize initiatives, and deliver solutions that support the University’s diverse constituent groups. They will also build partnerships with external technology providers and organizations to advance the University’s current and future capabilities.

Information Technology Governance: The AVP will provide support, guidance, and advice in determining the direction of IT based on LU’s overall strategy and ensure the IT organization executes on this direction. This includes supporting the governance committees, and implementing direction that relates to IT strategy, projects, data, and solutions.

Team Leadership and Development: The AVP will lead a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, service excellence, and innovation. They will provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to ensure the team remains skilled and motivated.

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are an experienced leader with a strong strategic mindset and exceptional collaborative skills. Your ability to be an adaptable and strong leader is evident in your approaches to operational management. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking IT leader with a strong background in strategic planning, digital transformation, and problem-solving. They have experience in higher education or similarly complex organizations and possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. You have a demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring technology solutions meet the needs of all members of the University community. You are adept at balancing multiple priorities and have a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities within a higher education setting. Your commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive community ensures that you inspire and motivate your team, driving excellence and innovation across all initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

While no single candidate is likely to meet all the criteria in equal measure, the successful candidate will ideally possess:

• A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field; a master’s degree is an asset.
• Significant experience as a senior IT leader, preferably within higher education or large, complex organizations.
• Expertise in IT strategy, security, infrastructure management, and ERP systems.
• Proven ability to lead digital transformation initiatives that enhance organizational performance.
• Strong understanding of IT governance.
• Experience managing budgets, projects, change, and teams, with a focus on operational excellence and service delivery.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to write complex reports and policy documents.

Attributes and Skills

• Strategic expertise with the ability to assimilate information quickly, analyze data, and provide confidential strategic advice at the executive level.
• Authenticity, with strong empathy, and integrity.
• Emotional intelligence, with the ability to build positive relationships in an inclusive environment committed to equity and diversity.
• The ability to collectively inspire, influence, and motivate different groups of people, both internally and externally.
• A spirit of innovation, able to question the status quo and push forward positive change.
• A high capacity to balance multiple priorities while being responsive to people.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca or Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17314143615170000008rmc

Employment Equity at Laurentian

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact accommodations@kbrs.ca to request accommodation.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applicants must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR “I am not a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada” in their cover letter. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.