Associate Director IT Operations

Position Summary The Associate Director of Information Technology is a pivotal role reporting directly to the Director of IT / Chief Information and Technology Officer. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing IT Operations, which includes the management of IT infrastructure, customer service, vendor contracts, application maintenance, and cybersecurity functions. The Associate Director will lead a team of approximately 25 CUPE and Exempt Staff, including 2 IT Managers and 1 IT Supervisor, and will responsible for developing foundational processes, systems, structures, and best practices to establish a best-in-class IT function. This role is integral in supporting the business and educational needs of School District 35 and requires a close partnership with the leadership team to lead change and execute the Digital and Technology Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists the Director of IT with the development and implementation of operational and strategic Information Technology plans and assumes delegated responsibilities as assigned.
• Manages, prioritizes and directs the work of IT professional and technical staff, activities, and procedures. Provides technical direction to team members to facilitate business and technical analysis in the most direct path to a solution.
• Applies professional principles and practices to lead and oversee project teams on the development and implementation of district software and systems.
• Responsible for staff management functions including: recruitment, coaching, mentoring, training and development, performance management, and wellness support. Manages unionized and exempt staff and participates in grievance processes as required.
• Oversees the design, development, implementation and maintenance of Information Technology systems and applications, including servers, PCs, operating systems, hardware and software. Analyzes and makes recommendations for the improvement and growth of Information Technology infrastructure and systems. Directs research on potential technology solutions and stays current with the latest technologies.
• Works with stakeholders to define education needs and business needs and systems requirements for new technology implementations. Provides project management and support for IT projects. Represents the Information Technology department on project committees as required.
• Ensures software licensing compliance, schedules upgrades, and coordinates training and support.
• Implements and manages systems security and integrity measures and backup procedures.
• Works closely with the Director of IT to maintain effective Information Technology Controls as a subset of the school district's internal control system
• Assists the Director with the development and implementation of information technology processes and procedures.
• Assists the Director with managing budgets and expenditures, ensuring responsible budget allocations and expenditures consistent with Board policies and procedures.
• Assists the Director in negotiations with software and hardware vendors on pricing and terms and conditions for major acquisitions and renewals of software and hardware contracts. Works with the Purchasing Manager to write, issue, review, and award RFPs and RFQs to meet current District purchasing policies.
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with IT operations, including data security, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure the IT department's services meet their expectations.
• Act as a technology advocate, promoting the benefits of IT investments and initiatives to the broader organization.
• Define and track performance metrics for the IT department to continuously improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Responsible for technical operations and helpdesk administration.
• Oversee the maintenance, enhancement, and optimization of IT systems and infrastructure to support organizational growth.
• Lead cybersecurity initiatives to safeguard company data and ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence within the IT department.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels across the business to facilitate collaboration and alignment on IT initiatives.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Information Management or Computer Science) and 6 years of related experience. OR Diploma in a relevant field (e.g., Information Management, Law, Business, or Computer Science) and 8 years related experience. OR A combination of 12 years of relevant post-secondary and directly related experience in Technology Operations.
• A minimum of four years of progressive responsibilities leading technical projects and teams is essential.
• Experience working in a K-12, Higher Education, or Public Sector environment is preferred
• The following certifications are desirable:
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• ITIL Foundation Certification
• A demonstrated ability to manage change in a dynamic environment.
• Strong technical expertise in infrastructure, IT service management, vendor management, and cybersecurity.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Adept at developing, mentoring, and leading a high-performing, service-oriented IT team.
• Excellent analytical ability including the ability to seek innovative solutions to problems and exercise independent judgment and action in performance of all duties.
• Demonstrated success integrating new applications, systems, and methodologies into a large organization.
• Experience managing complex, multi-year projects, including negotiating contracts for software and services.