Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To manage a portfolio of multiple, concurrent and high risk IT projects that impact multiple ministries (Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services) in priority program areas with high public visibility. To co-ordinate and participate in multi-ministry and jurisdictional projects having broad application and impacts across government and industry. To provide expert strategic advice related to major I&IT issues and administrative and technical direction to systems staff and consultants.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In a large decentralized and diverse ministry, the Application Solutions Manager is responsible for the management of multiple, concurrent projects of high risk, multiple ministry impact and priority in a program area with a high public visibility. In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent:

1. Leads the analysis of Ministry business systems and defines system requirements with clients, identifying I&IT solutions and deliverables suited to client needs. Participates in and makes presentations to internal and cross-ministry steering committees and other stakeholder groups to ensue proper integration and business alignment of projects with other internal and external clients, jurisdictions and interests.

2. Leads and manages multiple, long range systems development/maintenance projects, including defining project scope and approach, planning and developing terms of reference with client, developing and scheduling project deliverables and developing and making related technical presentations to clients and senior systems management. Co-ordinates/participates with other ministries and jurisdictions in projects having broad impacts across several ministries and external clients/partners.

3. Directs project planning including estimating human resource and equipment requirements and developing project budgets, establishing project priorities, schedules and allocating work to staff and consultants, monitoring work progress and taking corrective action to meet objectives and strategies and provides technical advice and guidance to clients and technical staff throughout the project. Develops RFPs for consulting services, participates in the selection of consulting firms and obtains approvals. Develops performance measures and ensures effective review and quality control of results.

4. Provides regular updates to program management and clients to keep them informed of project status/problems and identify need for changes in terms of reference, approved schedules, costs, etc., for client authorization. Co-ordinates projects within the division, ministry and across ministries and/or with industry to ensure access to required resources, effective implementation, information sharing, etc. Evaluates output and co-ordinates the development of project implementation plans, ensuring results meet project deadlines. Consults with stakeholders in other participating organizations to resolve complex systems issues.

5. Directs the development, review and approval of systems design for projects involving the application and implementation of new and innovative technologies and methods. Leads the determination of test parameters and test cases for development projects and directs testing of business systems quality to ensure business systems are implemented properly to address critical program business needs of clients and in accordance with established budgets, standards and protocols. Develops performance measures for system evaluation.

6. Co-ordinates market research to identify and evaluate innovative technology trends and productivity tools/methods. Develops partnerships with clients, other ministries and jurisdictions and inter-disciplinary colleagues to identify continuous system improvement opportunities, alternative delivery mechanisms and co-operative approaches for the implementation of critical business needs.

7. Manages the analysis and evaluation of key technical, financial and business impacts of proposed projects on other areas, ministries and industry. Identifies and assesses alternatives and prepares reports with recommendations to facilitate effective client/senior management decision-making. Researches, assesses, evaluates and recommends tools and methods to improve system efficiency. Maintains up-to-date awareness of trends and developments in hardware/software applications and related tools and methods.

8. Manages the deployment of business systems, including addressing all considerations such as technology infrastructure implementation, I&IT service level agreements and organizational business process and procedural changes (e.g. project and operational transition requirements).

9. Manages section staff, other assigned internal and external project staff and consultants including recruitment, training and development, development of work schedules and allocating assignments, determining performance standards and evaluating work and handling labour relations matters.

Knowledge :

? Work requires expert knowledge of business systems analysis, design, testing and implementation in multi-platform environments with large software distribution to direct the development, evaluation and approval of systems and programs designed by staff and consultants.
? Sound knowledge of client operations and requirements, related I&IT solutions and current awareness of new technology, including hardware/software and other developments in the field (e.g. new methods and tools) to ensure program critical business objectives are met.
? Broad knowledge of government/ministry IT standards, strategies, methods, applications, networks and data/system security procedures to assess and improve system efficiency and effectiveness and ensure project compliance.
? Excellent knowledge of project management principles, techniques and processes in a systems environment including planning, estimating, budgeting and performance measurement to lead/co-ordinate concurrent, multiple large scale projects, often involving multiple ministry and jurisdictional applications.
? Knowledge of problem-solving and analysis approaches and techniques to analyze and evaluate key business, financial and technical impacts of proposed projects on other areas, ministries and industry, assess long-term implications of recommendations, evaluate alternatives and direct staff in design and analysis problem resolution.
? Well-developed communications, interpersonal and consulting skills to establish effective relationships and provide systems advice to senior systems management, gain agreement/consensus with system clients on project approach and consult with colleagues in other ministries, governments and industry on system integration and knowledge sharing opportunities.
? Sound planning, organizing and negotiating skills to co-ordinate project completion within established deadlines and negotiate service agreements with clients, stakeholders and service providers.
? Sound management and leadership skills to manage staff and consultants, financial and other resources within budget allotments.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Senior Manager, Business Solutions and in accordance with corporate government and ministry IT policies and mandate and industry standards and trends.
? Judgement is used in co-ordinating and managing multiple concurrent projects of varying size and impact, identifying the most appropriate system solution to ensure client needs are met; co-ordinating multi-ministry and jurisdictional (e.g. Labour and safety agencies, Economic Development and Trade, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Research and Innovation) requirements on joint projects; and analyzing, evaluating and recommending most effective/efficient alternatives and system integration strategies.
? Judgement is required in developing complex system design approaches involving the application of new and innovative methods and technologies and co-operative approaches for the implementation of program business needs.
? Judgement is used in planning all aspects of projects, estimating budgets, determining and selecting staff and consultant resource requirements, determining project priorities and ensuring projects are on time, within budget and consistent with project terms or reference.
? Judgement is used in identifying technical and business issues and recommending solutions, providing advice on project implementation plans based on technical requirements, ensuring technical quality of systems designs and program codes, compliance with government and client directions and needs and effective type and degree of testing.
? Judgement is used in managing and providing technical direction to subordinates and consultants and in making decisions on matters related to selection of staff, performance appraisals, training and development and discipline.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for the planning, co-ordination and management of multiple, large scale and long range systems development projects and often involving co-ordination and participation with other ministries and jurisdictions on multi-ministry/jurisdictional system integration and operation projects having broad government/industry impacts. Accountable for the development of system approaches and delivery mechanisms to support business objectives.

Accountability – Personnel :

Accountable for the management of section systems staff and staff assigned on a project basis. Also responsible for the selection, provision of technical advice and adherence to quality standards of consulting staff retained for specific projects.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Responsible for estimating, monitoring and controlling large unit and project budgets and the approval of all project expenditures. Determines allocation and use of resources and recommends assignment. Ensures security of office and systems equipment for the area.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

: Poor judgement in recommending/approving systems design or evaluating impact of projects will result in implementation of ineffective, costly systems which do not meet client business needs, disruption to service delivery of critical program business operations and high profile government programs and costly long-term implications of decisions and recommendations, internally and across other ministries and external partners.

Contact - Internal :

Regularly with client and I&IT senior management to identify and discuss business system requirements and recommend, provide advice on system applications and solutions and negotiate changes to project schedules and deliverables. Regular contact with ITS project staff and other systems professionals to discuss/resolve matters of mutual concern and provide consultation on system issues and problem resolution. Frequent contact with senior systems managers in other areas and ministries to co-ordinate approach and schedule for multi-ministry and environment projects having cross-jurisdictional applications and impacts. Participates on steering committees and stakeholder forums to discuss and advise on business systems development opportunities.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with vendors, suppliers and colleagues in the technology industry to maintain awareness of trends and developments in the IT field. Regular contact with consultants to discuss RFP requirements, selection decisions, acquisition plans and project quality control and service delivery. Regular contact with senior officials and project managers in other jurisdictions and industry (e.g. border states, other provinces) to co-ordinate/participate in large integrated projects and establish a framework for on-going partnership development