Executive Director, It Infrastructure & Operations

Job Title: Executive Director IT Infrastructure & Operations

Location: Toronto, ON

Department: IT Infrastructure & Operations, GUS Canada Colleges

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Reports to: President, GUS Canada Colleges

About the Company

GUS Canada Colleges is a division of GUS Canada and part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network.

GUS Canada Colleges operates four institutional brands in Canada and has two public-private partnerships. Our privately owned institutions are the Canadian College of Technology and Business, the Toronto School of Management, Trebas Institute, and The Language Gallery. Our two public-private partnerships are Niagara College – Toronto and Fleming College Toronto.

Through our institutions across the nation, GUS Canada Colleges has welcomed over 27,000 students and is forging a new path for higher education, a path that inspires and prepares our graduates to have a global impact and bring positive change.

Position Overview

The Executive Director, IT Infrastructure and Operations provides leadership and direction to GUS Canada Colleges Network and Infrastructure, ITS and Cybersecurity units; oversees and directs the operations of on-premises and cloud-based technology infrastructure including networks, end-user computing and telephony, servers and storage, virtualization, and cybersecurity services; executes services implementation and technology improvement projects in accordance with the IT strategy; and creates a culture of security through robust communication, governance, collaboration, technology and partnership with vendors and external agencies

Responsibilities:

• Research and implement best practices for infrastructure services, including proven infrastructure methodologies, service management processes, and operational support.
• Manage IT department operational and strategic planning, including business requirements, project planning, and organizing and negotiating the allocation of resources.
• Attend and represent GUS Canada Colleges at a variety of meetings to convey and/or gather information required to perform job functions.
• Drive automation in operational tasks to improve efficiency and traceability of activities.
• Liaise and influence Upper Management, Vendors, and other stakeholders regarding vision of IT Strategies.
• Lead transition of infrastructure from legacy technologies to modernized, efficient, scalable, and secure technologies.
• Create budgets for innovative IT solutions, including preparing budget estimates and recommendations for staffing, as well as procurement of services, training, and necessary technologies.
• Provide leadership in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning.
• Oversee research and evaluation of current technology trends and industry practices to ascertain the feasibility of technology usage and practices.
• Oversee the cybersecurity department’s ongoing implementation and maintenance of the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls and associated safeguards.
• Manage IT Infrastructure projects, plans, and budgets to ensure alignment with the organization's strategic direction and initiatives to foster a high performing work environment, and to mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with the President GUS Canada Colleges and the Executive Team to plan, strategize, and ensure key initiatives are developed and completed.
• Monitor Ticketing system ticket trends, incident management and resolution, and quality control, and communicates ticket status across all programs.
• Formulate and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring and enabling efficient and cost-effective information processing and communication technologies.
• Oversee and ensure effective management of infrastructure, network and cloud service offerings, including design, delivery, operations, and support.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with key service providers to ensure service levels are met.

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to inspire and build a diverse team of IT professionals
• Experience developing and implementing IT policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and cybersecurity best practices
• Excellent time management, budgeting, and organizational skills
• Relevant certifications are a plus – ITIL, COBIT, PMP, CISSP, Lean Six Sigma
• +10 years of proven experience in progressive roles leading IT infrastructure and Operations team, including networking, server, storage, and cloud services
• Results-oriented with analytical problem-solving skills
• Excellent understanding of IT Service Management best practices and IT Governance principles and frameworks
• Demonstrated experience in Vendor management
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field
• In-depth understanding of security principles and best practices in IT infrastructure and related departments
• Strong understanding of cloud computing platforms (AWS, MS Azure), operating systems, network and communication, cyber security, and enterprise architecture

Working Conditions:

• Office-first hybrid work model. This position will be expected to work onsite a minimum of 2 days per week or as required based on business needs.

Please note – the Company will conduct a criminal background check upon hire.

GUS Canada Colleges is an equal opportunity employer, and as such positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

GUS Canada Colleges is committed to providing accessible employment practices in compliance the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation in any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.