Head, Technology Delivery - Toronto, Canada - AIR MILES Reward Program

Description

Leads the technology organization for AIR MILES to achieve the strategic implementation of all aspects of technology to help realize the business goals of the organization. Sets the overall vision and strategy, including architectural design, building out business capabilities and establishing clear and measurable benchmarks for success. Provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing innovative and cost-effective information technology strategies, investment plans & operational environments to optimize AIR MILES technology investment, improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and support aggressive growth. Where appropriate, creates consistency in technology delivery with a focus on improving the user experience and ensures objectives for scalable, reliable, and available technology solutions are met. Develops and implements new/enhanced, and maintains existing, applications, architecture and solutions that meet current and future business/customer needs, with a drive to rationalization and modernized technology, which will streamline operations, drive out cost, improve customer experience and reduce regulatory, compliance, risk issues and operational defects. Partners with leaders to understand gaps, balance priorities, influence change, remove barriers and strengthen our

technology.

• Develops and champions the AIR MILES technology strategy/roadmap, sets 3–5-year priorities, and owns the technology vision across all technical functions of the organization.
• Effectively communicate technology strategy, initiatives and progress to the organization and stakeholders.
• Drives modernization and rationalization of systems/platforms to meet business/function needs, building out technology solutions in an incremental and Agile fashion.
• Partner with Finance stakeholders to ensure projects can be capitalized and tracked using Agile and traditional methodologies.
• Work closely with the Head of Product and other executive stakeholders to ensure the appropriate technical enablers are developed to suit Product and business needs.
• Continues the broad technology transformation designed to accelerate business delivery and increase productivity.
• Acts as the single point of contact for the business/function leadership, facilitating constant dialogue with technology and business peers, to ensure an understanding of business requirements integrating across initiatives and identifying synergies.
• Ensures the reliable operation of the technology infrastructure and systems.
• Evaluates and identifies appropriate technology platforms (including web application frameworks and the deployment stack) for delivering the company's service.
• Assesses IT risks and design, implement and test business continuity and disaster recovery procedures to mitigate those risks.
• Implements policies and procedures to ensure the protection of company IT assets and the integrity, security and privacy of corporate and personal information.
• Directs procurement of technology and services from suppliers/vendors.
• Develops, tracks, and controls the development and deployment of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Leads technology expenditure management and limiting risks by setting up controls and contingency plans.
• Works effectively and successfully with third party providers to ensure that projects are executed as agreed; evaluates contracts and relationships to determine the right balance of insourcing vs. outsourcing; renegotiates contracts where necessary.
• Develops, fosters, and operationalizes new enterprise solutions and application delivery methodologies and strategies aligned with overall business goals.
• Drives technology and required infrastructure capabilities for initiatives related to the supported business/function.
• Develops and maintains a flexible yet disciplined governance structure that optimizes IT priorities, delivery speed and related spend.
• Assesses and communicates risks associated with IT investments.
• Optimizes cross-business opportunities ensuring a consistent and integrated employee experience.
• Maintains a network of strategic relationships to identify current and emerging technologies/business solutions/vendors/ partners/investment opportunities.
• Within the mandate of this role, promotes and supports the Bank's risk culture including ensuring employees understand their accountabilities for risk-taking activities, promoting an environment of open communication and effective challenge, and establishing the "tone from the top" through leading by example.
• Complies with the Bank's Risk Appetite framework and ensures risk-taking activities remain within agreed limits and comply with all regulatory requirements.
• Role models driving simplicity and productivity enhancements for optimization across groups driving continuous improvement on key measures.
• Activates our winning culture, aligned with Purpose. Ignites engagement by aligning our culture to our strategy and fueling exceptional execution
• Fosters diversity, equity and inclusion and creates an inclusive environment for all employees by eliminating barriers to inclusion.
• Develops leaders, plans for succession, and fosters a high-performance culture.
• Drives top talent acquisition and retention, developing organizational capabilities to drive competitive advantage.
• Leads and mentors a team with diverse risk and business experience, skills, and orientation, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Leads, promotes, and reinforces the Bank's Ambition; personally, role models One Bank leadership; drives sustainable improvements in customer loyalty and business growth; adheres and supports enterprise customer experience and brand standards.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in Computer Science or equivalent work experience. Master's degree in Computer Science or MBA with technology as a core component preferred.
• In depth expertise in IT development and implementation, acquired through 15+ years of IT managerial experience supporting financial services.
• Possesses 15+ years' experience managing and/or directing an IT operation.
• Deep, hands-on technical expertise in the design and implementation of cloud-based, real-time tech stacks in complex IT environments.
• Experience in defining Agile software development processes.
• Advanced understanding of Application Development process and methodologies and the latest innovations.
• Knowledge of MarTech stacks, micro-services architecture, and data management processes (relational databases, data lakes and real-time data processing).
• Advanced understanding of the organization's goals and objectives and technical knowledge of current network and operating systems, hardware, protocols, and standards.
• Proven track record of timely, cost-effective, and industry-leading delivery.
• A strategic mindset, ability to drive vision and purposeful work, and demonstrated ability to develop, inspire and implement a change management agenda.
• Ability to develop creative, forward-thinking ideas while balancing the need to be nimble/responsive and adaptable to new opportunities with the requirement to ensure controls and security, as well as effectively handle tactical challenges.
• Results focused with a strong track record of meeting strategic technology targets and deliverables amidst operational demands.
• Broad/diverse business knowledge of a range of functions, products and/or systems, or expert knowledge of specialized functions, products and/or systems.
• Exceptional relationship management, coaching and communication skills.
• Ability to translate broad, strategic intent into tactical and operational plans.
• Highly developed strategic planning, including business requirements, project planning, and organizing & negotiating the allocation of resources to deliver on unit priorities.
• Proven ability to work within a changing environment and lead the implementation of change.
• Proven leadership capabilities – communication, influence & negotiations, conflict resolution, people management, relationship management (internal & external) and multi-tasking.
• Advanced level of business acumen, accountability, and financial proficiency.
• Proven ability to partner with clients to identify business challenges and effective strategies/alternatives to mitigate them.