INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Additional Job Information

Reporting to the Office of the President, the VP of ITs role is to plan, coordinate, direct, and design all operational activities of the IT department on a worldwide basis, as well as provide direction and support for IT solutions that enhance mission-critical business operations. This individual will collaborate directly with the executive management team and decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization. The VP of IT is responsible for three distinct areas of IT including Technology, Development and Computer Services.

In addition, the VP of ITs primary goals are to develop and manage application portfolios for each department and to attain acceptable performance for the user community within the organization. This role also helps to provide vision and leadership for developing and implementing information technology initiatives across all areas of the organization.

Responsibilities
-Participate in strategic and operational governance processes of the business organization as a member of the senior management team.
-Lead IT strategic and operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the organization.
-Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business.
-Establish IT departmental goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
-Act as an advocate for the organizations IT vision via regular written and in-person communications with the organizations executives, department heads, and end users.
-Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house development.
-Assess an-Develop, track, and control the information technology annual operating and capital budgets. (E.g. Fixed Budget $15M / yr; Capital Budget M / yr)
-Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
-Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for new technology implementations.
-Ensure continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of IT systems performance.
-Ensure IT system operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations.
-Establish lines of control for current and proposed information systems.
-Define and communicate corporate plans, policies, and standards for the organization for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT systems.
-Direct development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
-Approve, prioritize, and control projects and the project portfolio as they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of major information systems.
-Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalize on economies of scale.
-Assess and make recommendations on the improvement or re-engineering of the IT organization.
-Keep current with trends and issues in the IT industry, including current technologies and prices. Advise, counsel, and educate executives and management on their competitive or financial impact.
-Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT resources and external entities.
-Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organization of all IT staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and personnel policies.

Qualifications and Experience

-University degree in the field of computer science, information systems, or business administration. Masters degree preferred.
-Minimum 15 years direct experience managing and/or directing an IT operation.
-Minimum 5 years experience working in the distribution industry is an asset.
-Considerable knowledge of business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations.
-Substantial exposure to data processing various hardware platforms, (E.g. HP Non-Stop, IBM AIX, VM-Ware, Falcon Stor, SAN), enterprise software applications (Peoplesoft CRM-HR-Payroll, Oracle Financials, Microsoft .Net home grown applications.)
-Good understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities. (Linux, Soap, ODBC)
-Experience with systems design and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.
-Proven experience in IT planning, organization, and development.
-Excellent understanding of project management principles.
-Demonstrated ability to apply IT in solving business problems.
-Strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures.

Competencies (Skills Behaviors)

-Proven leadership ability.
-Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
-Excellent written and oral communication skills.
-Fluent in both English and French.
-Excellent interpersonal skills.
-Strong negotiating skills.
-Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
-Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
-Keen attention to detail.
-Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
-Exceptional service orientation.
-Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.