Associate Director, Systems Development

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary function of the Program Manager – Indigenous Health, International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Centre (IABPG) is to co-lead the creation, implementation and evaluation of knowledge transfer strategies specific to RNAO’s Indigenous health program. The Indigenous health program is expanding in partnership with Indigenous organizations and communities. This role focuses on the application of implementation science and social movement action principles alongside Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing when working with individuals, communities, organizations and health systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Systems Analysis, Design, Development, Integration and Support 

• Recommend and implement industry standard technology stacks, frameworks, platforms. 
• Create, update, and establish architectures, frameworks, and solutions considering long-term scalability, maintainability and sustainability. 
• Continually assess current systems to find gaps and suggest prudent technical changes.  
• Generate prototypes and transitional architectures as starting points for junior developers. 
• Continuously research emerging technologies and industry practices for improvement of the enterprise architecture.  
• Develop procedures and guidelines for vertical and horizontal enterprise system integration. 
• Evaluate project constraints to find alternatives and perform process re-engineering if required. 
• Plan and design strategic technical architectures including database architectures and system logic incorporating industry standard security approaches.
• Design, develop, test, implement, support, and maintain web-based enterprise business systems executing full systems development lifecycle (SDLC) activities. 
• Conduct programming, testing, system integration, UX development, system customization and/or complete application development. 
• Create and maintain system documentation. 
• Provide systems support in terms of problem analysis and solution development. 
• Provide technical guidance and support for development activities. 
• Setup and maintain appropriate applications and database infrastructure for development and production work. 
• Coordinate technical components within various projects. 
• Monitor technical directions and strategies for existing applications, databases, and tools. 
• Evaluate vendors and assess third-party software tools, applications, processes, and best-practices for implementation. 
• Conduct database administration including installation, tuning, performance monitoring, and upgrading as needed in collaboration with the Systems Administrators. 

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Management 

• Conduct project planning, progress tracking and communication. 
• Participate in business analysis at the department and/or RNAO level in collaboration with the Business Analyst or independently as needed. 
• Assign tasks and supervise work of technical and functional staff dedicated to the project. 
• Provide mentoring support for staff (technically as well as functional knowledge specific to the assignment). 
• Adhere to industry best practices for documentation management. 
• Control the development process and make sure that standard operating policies and procedures (SOPP) are followed and implemented. 
• Provide supervision and clear guidance to development team members in terms of modern software development technologies and practices. 
• Practice detailed code and architecture review of team members by adopting industry practices. 
• Motivate the team to establish a positive culture to create software relying on proven principles. 
• Coach and train team members to align documentation of software development projects to UML standard. 
• Manage time effectively when dealing with multiple projects and activities. 

Supervision & Coaching 

• Lead recruitment of the systems development team and manage on-boarding, orientation, and training. 
• Promote growth in performance through ongoing performance management and reviews. 
• Provide guidance and direction to the systems development team in enterprise architecture, latest systems development frameworks and architectures, cutting-edge technologies and trends, industry cyber security standards, high level technology consulting, training, and documentation.  
• Optimize individual productivity and ensure project timelines are met at the expected quality. 
• Plan and initiate learning opportunities for team members to promote knowledge and skills development. 
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. 
• Inform the Director, IM&T of work progress and raise any issues that require escalation/intervention. 
• Collaborate and communicate with other team managers in IM&T and RNAO wide to ensure that all RNAO systems development needs are met. 

Leadership

• Provide leadership in the evolution of enterprise systems, development/selection of technologies, frameworks and architectures, and project management strategies and methodologies. 
• Plan and facilitate systems development sprint/scrum meetings with team members and stakeholders. 
• Take reasonability for technical leadership in development projects. Give clear and viable directions for developers in terms of technology and development aspects.  
• Create and continuously refine documentation that define roles and responsibilities for both team members and enterprise technology portfolio. 
• Monitor and actively work to maintain/build team morale and job satisfaction. 
• Conduct strategic planning with team to identify priorities in alignment with the IM&T’s mission and RNAO’s overall priorities. 
• Ensure team members stay current on technology best practices, latest architectures and frameworks, research and innovation in the field of enterprise systems development. 
• Deliver and facilitate workshops and information sessions for key stakeholders. 

Management Responsibilities

• Represent the Information Management and Technology team in internal and external meetings and committees as required. 
• Participate and contribute to overall decision-making, including strategic planning, allocation of resources, recruitment, and task prioritization. 
• Analyze modern technology trends and industry best practices and advise the Director, IM&T on future directions. 
• Create technology roadmaps for enterprise systems development in close collaboration with the Director, IM&T. 
• Collaborate with Manager, Infrastructure and Customer Support to set up infrastructure and support for projects.  
• Define strategies and tools to improve supportability of systems, and conduct knowledge transfer to stakeholders. 
• Build and manage relationships with internal and external departments, stakeholders and vendors. 
• Support special RNAO projects and initiatives as assigned by the Director, IM&T, including those involving other departments and/or external organizations. 
• Maintain connections with, contribute to, and possibly take leadership roles in related external organizations and professional associations, maintaining IM&T’s status as a leader in enterprise systems development.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A postgraduate degree in computer science, information systems, software engineering or related discipline. 
• Industry certifications such as Microsoft, Oracle, ITIL or SAP will be highly sought after.
• 7-10 years of experience with a proven track record of achievement and success in information technology. 
• 5+ years of experience successfully leading and managing cross-functional teams.
• 5+ years of experience managing multiple concurrent enterprise systems development projects
• 5+ years of industry experience in design, development, testing, implementation, support, and maintenance of secure web-based enterprise systems. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills combined with analytical and planning abilities. Flexible and adaptable management style. Ability to conceptualize and address current and future challenges in a logical manner.
• Strong leadership and portfolio management skills. 
• Communication skills include excellent written and verbal communication skills to provide and prepare information, make presentations, clarify issues, answer enquiries, provide advice and guidance to stakeholders within and outside the association. This includes the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge and proven skills in database driven web-application development using Drupal, PHP or .Net technologies integrating MSSQL Server or MySQL/MariaDB/Postgres databases. 
• Expert knowledge in server architectures for development and deployment of web-based systems and platforms.  
• Expert knowledge and experience in both waterfall and agile SDLC practices. 
• Expert knowledge in version control using Git or similar system and CI/CD. 
• Skills in frontend design principles, especially for web applications, such as React and Angular.
• In depth knowledge of industry standard authentication and security protocols.  
• Deep theoretical base and practical knowledge of UML standards.  
• Knowledge of aspect-oriented software development and software design patterns.
• Understanding of software practices such as Test-Driven Development, Behavior Driven Development, and Domain Driven Design is preferable. 
• Knowledge and practical experience in service-oriented architecture (SOA) and microservices is preferable. 
• Working knowledge of Jira and Confluence is desirable.  
• Proven skills in payment gateway integration and ecommerce are advantageous.  

EFFORT:

• Workflow requires meeting deadlines, re-prioritizing work to meet multiple deadlines and working overtime during peak periods to perform the duties of the job.
• Concentration is required for short and long periods of time and is subject to many interruptions to answer telephone enquiries, emails, prepare reports and correspondence, prepare presentations, etc.
• Creativity is needed to develop strategies to respond to stakeholder concerns in an agile manner.
• Sight, touch and hearing are used to read and write correspondence, listen in meetings, respond to telephone enquiries and operate equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in a climate-controlled office with occasional exposure to distractions, interruptions and multiple demands.
• Typical conditions are such that no risk of injury is present. 

FULLY VACCINATED IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT.
RNAO is working hybrid with two mandatory days at the home office. We thank all candidates for their applications, and qualified applicants will be contacted.

RNAO is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment, where all employees feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates who can help us build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live. Accommodations are available to all candidates identifying a need during all or any parts of the selection process.