Lead the Future of IT Strategy & Policy!Join the Enterprise Digital & Technology Strategy Division, GovTechON, as an IT Strategy & Policy Lead, and help contribute to the evolution of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Target State Architecture.
The I&IT Architecture, Technology & Standards branch is seeking for an experienced IT professionals with strong leadership skills in policy, strategy, architecture, and standards development. Join us to shape the future state of the Ontario Government's technology and data ecosystem.
About us:At the Ontario Public Service, we see technology as a catalyst for positive change. As we advance our digital transformation, we aim to deliver seamless, user-centric services for millions of Ontarians.
The Enterprise Digital & Technology Strategy Division (EDTS) works across Government Information Technology Ontario (clusters, enterprise divisions) and with ministry partners to develop and implement OPS-wide IT strategies, programs and projects, including the Target State Architecture and Enterprise Architecture Practice Modernization. EDTS leads enterprise IT architecture governance and develops and maintains common IT and architecture standards, policies and practices across the OPS for managing the government's IT assets.
Our responsibilities include:
• Setting strategic direction for digital and technology initiatives, including AI.
• Aligning digital strategies with government priorities.
• Leading the adoption of emerging technologies
• Fostering innovation and collaboration
Click here to learn more about the Enterprise Digital & Technology Strategy Division
About the job
As an IT Strategy & Policy Lead, you will play an important role in turning high-level technology plans into practical policies, standards, and guidelines. Your work will help ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with government-wide goals and industry best practices. You'll stay on top of new trends and tools, help ministries use technology effectively, build partnerships, and lead key projects and initiatives. You'll also research new technologies, develop policy recommendations, and lead consultations with stakeholders. Your leadership will support teams across the organization and help drive successful strategy implementation.
What you'll be doing:
• Provide leadership, advice, analysis, and recommendations on technology policy and standards development to senior management.
• Lead creation of operational policies, standards and guidelines that support the implementation of Target State Architecture and Enterprise.
• Build relationships and lead consultations with various stakeholders(internal and external).
• Develop formal technology policy, standards and guidelines products for diverse audiences, including OPS senior leadership.
• Offer advice and expertise on strategy, planning, and operational policy to senior management and ministries.
• Initiate partnerships and lead enterprise-wide standards and business solution projects.
• Conduct and manage research projects to develop enterprise technology policy and standards.
• Lead consultations to align policy development with business priorities and digital service delivery.
• Provide strategic and analytical expertise to senior executive committees.
• Lead and guide multi-disciplinary teams on joint I&IT projects.
What you bring to the team
Technical Knowledge
You have:
• a proven ability to assess operational policy and standards gaps, develop and implement technology-related policies, guidelines and standards, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and government directives
• the ability to exhibit broad, comprehensive knowledge of technology concepts, architectures, and best practices
• knowledge of concepts related to managing the business of IT at the enterprise level, including IT governance, project and portfolio management, risk management, procurement, vendor management, and service management
• an understanding of governance processes and best practices in governing IT systems, technology solutions and architecture on an enterprise level
• knowledge of concepts required to simplify and standardize the OPS technology landscape, including knowledge of best practices and approaches for developing application, testing, security, data, integration, and infrastructure standards in large, complex organizational environments
• knowledge of Project Management, Product Management, and Service Management practices
Policy and Strategy Development
You have:
• an understanding of government organizational structure, strategic business and operational planning practices
• knowledge of IT policy and standards development principles, techniques, and decision-making processes
• the ability to lead strategic projects and conduct thorough research and analysis
• the ability to be familiar with relevant legislation, regulations, and current government priorities
• the ability to design, plan, and lead corporate/enterprise strategy and policy development projects
• an understanding of the technical impacts of strategy and policy changes on program delivery
Research and Analytical Skills
You can:
• conduct and evaluate environmental scans and research projects
• demonstrate your skills in analyzing and integrating information from various sources
• develop innovative alternatives and make recommendations on policy matters
• plan and lead technology policy and standards research and development projects, assessing information relevance and cost-effectiveness
• develop and compile your research and recommendations into reports for senior executives
• plan and coordinate all phases of complex multi-ministry transformation initiatives supporting both internal/external clients and stakeholders
• develop appropriate performance measures that are adaptive and responsive to address the continuous introduction of new and emerging technologies, use of unfamiliar or unproven technology
• analyze and integrate information from stakeholders to plan and lead technology policy and standards projects, identifying business implications and developing strategy options
• identify areas for policy/standards/strategy research, lead stakeholder consultations, and decide on research approaches and resources
Communication, Consultation and Leadership Skills
You have:
• strong communication skills for preparing and presenting materials such as presentations, reports, plans, memos, business cases, briefing notes and correspondence
• strong oral communication skills to lead and participate in meetings and consultations
• strong written communication skills to develop technology policies, standards and guidelines
• skills in developing and presenting IT policy, standards and strategy documents for diverse audiences and senior management
• the ability to lead planning sessions with Government Information Technology Ontario (clusters, enterprise divisions), ministry partners and external stakeholders
• the ability to work in great details, but still focus on broad strategic issues
• advisory and consultation skills to provide technical, architecture, policy and standards advice and expertise
• consensus-building and negotiation skills to maintain strong relationships with stakeholders
• the ability to lead cross-ministry, multi-stakeholder projects
• presentation and persuasion skills to influence decision-making and gain approval
Project Management
You have:
• expertise in strategic project planning and management techniques
• the ability to lead and manage research and analysis projects
• the ability to ensure business objectives are met within schedule and budget parameters
• skills in designing and leading strategy and/or policy development projects
• the ability to lead cross-ministry, multi-stakeholder projects to deliver desired outcomes on time and within budget
• the ability to apply risk management and quality management techniques, and recommend innovative alternatives to meet client/ministry needs
• an understanding of product management and product development lifecycle management
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
What we offer
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for 29 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
• comprehensive benefits that look after your holistic wellness needs
• base salary that aligns to market trends with scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly, and accessible physical work environment