Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Working under the general direction of the department Manager, provides technical leadership and management support to enable the delivery of information and information technology. Takes an active leadership role in the design/implementation of innovative Business Intelligence Solutions. Supervises staff and manages project and information technology infrastructure resources; resolves immediate operating incidents and meets demanding targets and service level contracts cost-effectively. Manages the development, support, and maintenance of quality IT solutions (specifically Business Intelligence solutions and data warehousing), within budget and project schedule.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Statement of Major Responsibilities (How is purpose achieved?)

In an area with complex technology solutions supporting diverse users, the incumbent:

1. Provides complete management for systems solutions related to Business Intelligence and reporting systems in a data warehouse environment, from inception to post-implementation and support, in support of critical systems, services and activities. Scope includes inception, design and development of BI applications, design and changes around database enhancements, planning and prioritizing tasks, conversion/transformation advice, user training, policy and procedure impact management, communications and support, to ensure the stability of all systems.

2. Provides leadership and both business and technical input on BI and reporting solution, change requests, and assigns work to team members. Proactively identifies sustainment work to maintain operation efficiencies or functional enhancements. Leads and manages I&IT processes and systems for standard and ad hoc reports in support of senior management decision-making.

3. Ensures the successful delivery of projects on time and in budget and that business needs are met. Develops realistic project plans and systems methodologies, identifying and acquiring the necessary resource requirements and funding, and managing the plan to ensure targets are achieved as committed. Oversees all areas of project management including: issuance of Requests for Proposals, development of contracts, estimation, product acquisition, systems integration, conversion, user training, process control, planning of resources, negotiating priorities and production schedules; monitoring of project progress and reviewing quality of the work to ensure high standards are met by project team. Develops business cases and RFPs and RFRs, evaluates vendor proposals and negotiates and manages contractual agreements between the ministry and service providers.


4. Prepares multi-year and annual work plans for BI development and support, technical infrastructure support, and establishment of resource allocation needs for these.

5. Participates as a member of various ministry, division committees and task forces, to provide input to IT standards, policies, guidelines and procedures and to provide advice on planning and advancing the goals of the organization. Participates in branch decision-making processes including strategic and business planning, policy and standards development. Contributes to the development of written communications, and training to ensure effective delivery of procedures. Acts in the absence of the manager when necessary.

6. Develops, implements and monitors standards, processes, methods, techniques and controls to ensure optimum BI solutions and the integrity, security, confidentiality and reliability of data and to provide contingency recovery/service in the event of major systems problems.

7. Develops, fosters and manages effective relationships and partnerships with vendors, suppliers, staff, project team members and interdisciplinary colleagues to facilitate cooperative approaches and mutual business efforts

8. Participates in the ongoing evaluation of emerging trends and technologies. Develops and implements innovative and creative approaches, opportunities and initiatives for the delivery of high quality, value added and efficient services and products which effectively address clients' business needs and expectations.

9. Develops and implements performance measures, benchmarking and quality assurance standards based on the establishment of challenging and achievable goals; manages operational performance and the subsequent evaluation of productivity and effectiveness of assigned projects. Ensures that all operational documentation is properly completed. Conducts trend analyses and translation of outcomes, which provides value to the planning and decision making activities of the organization.

10. Manages unit staff including hiring, providing direction and motivation, training and development opportunities, developing performance measures, conducting performance reviews, handling employee relations matters.

11. Creates and promotes a productive teamwork business environment and customer service culture which fosters the long-term learning and development of others through coaching, training or other experiences and where the organization's values in such areas as risk taking, creativity, customer service excellence, and innovation are inculcated.

Knowledge :

Position requires sound knowledge and understanding of systems analysis and design principles, practices, methods and techniques and understanding of mainframe and client server environments, for business intelligence solutions/reporting and data warehousing, to provide leadership in the development of systems to meet clients' high demands and program needs. Excellent management skills and a thorough knowledge and understanding of project management techniques and methodology to effectively lead large and small projects concurrently with day-to-day operations. Strong analytical skills are required in order to determine root causes of a problem and to determine which actions are appropriate to minimize service interruptions. Sound organizational skills are essential to keep track of daily customer requirements for standard and ad hoc reporting, and ensuring adequate staffing.

Knowledge of budgeting to develop and manage assigned budgets. Knowledge of Human Resources processes and procedures in the OPS. Thorough knowledge of, and expertise of Business intelligence solutions/reporting, for example, IBM Cognos, to provide senior level technical expertise and team leadership with data governance, ETL process, large data sets, reporting, business analysis, data modelling, data mining, and data integration in an data warehouse environment.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate human, financial and material resources in order to achieve a variety of objectives. Knowledge of Ontario government information technology strategies, plans, standards and directives and the programs, strategic directions and information priorities to ensure projects comply with established standards, directions and plans. Contract management and negotiation skills and knowledge of government tendering policies and processes to acquire and negotiate contract agreements with external vendors.

Communication, promotional and mediation skills to provide advice and make presentations to client management, business partners, and project staff, to promote innovative solutions, processes and foster cooperation among clients and technical staff. Strong project and team leadership skills to oversee multiple application solutions, services, and projects of small, medium and large scopes and complexities. Excellent customer service skills to provide ongoing consultative advice and support to clients.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Manager and within the broad framework of government and ministry information technology standards, plans and guidelines. Judgment is exercised in planning, coordinating and leading a variety of systems development projects through the assessment of existing systems performance and the analysis of clients' short and long-term business needs. Position exercises judgment in determining systems development and maintenance priorities with diverse clients. Judgment is required in determining optimum systems solutions to meet user needs within time and budgetary constraints. Judgment is used in determining priorities and schedules, assessing resources required, delegating and controlling tasks, monitoring activities and timeframes and expenditures; in recommending information technology quality control standards and processes, in interpreting and implementing policies, and in establishing and applying criteria for requests for proposals; ensure systems meet quality standards for reliability, confidentiality, security and contingency recovery.

Judgment is also required in supervising professional, technical staff, and clerical support staff and in making hiring, appraisals, training, and disciplinary decisions; in determining appropriate methods of staffing, e.g. branch personnel, contract or fee for services, in establishing observable performance indicators to aid in the performance evaluation of staff and consultants. Judgment is also required in determining appropriate level and nature of communications to ensure coordination between staff and clients, particularly when problems have occurred, and to follow-up to ensure continuity, consistency and concerted problem/critical incident management.

Accountability - Programs :

The incumbent is accountable for managing the development, implementation, support, and maintenance of IT solutions and systems to meet the organization's goals. Ensures project planning, quality, and effective utilization of assigned financial, material and human resources within established timeframes and standards

Accountability – Personnel :

The position has direct accountability for and supervises systems staff, assigned client staff and contract or fee for service personnel. Responsible for goal setting and review of staff, making hiring decisions, and recommending merit increases.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Responsible for administration of operations and project budgets; tendering and hiring consultants; accountable for monitoring contract costs provided by private sector consultants. Accountable for the security of confidential information and the integrity/availability of data during the systems development and maintenance processes.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in project planning and management could delay the implementation of critical IT solutions and systems and significantly disrupt the programs and lead to excessive project and operating costs. Failure of systems could cause undue hardship to the most vulnerable clients. Failure to develop effective contingency recovery processes and control the security, confidentiality and integrity of data could lead to serious breaches of privacy resulting in legal action, high costs to correct, and loss of credibility by the user communities and the public.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with all levels of staff to negotiate detailed terms of reference, review contracts and specifications for projects undertaken by external consultants, provide advice and assistance in the development and implementation of new technical solutions and to obtain approval at system quality reviews and funding reviews. Contact as required to manage critical incidents and major problem and ensure that their impacts are minimized, and manage related communications, co-ordination and follow-up, even after a shift. With ministry senior officials, managers, and other technical staff. Occasional contact with the Assistant Deputy Minister to provide briefings/advice on systems projects

Contact - External :

Regular contact with various systems and other equipment or service vendors to tender and contract for resources and/or equipment and services and to project lead assigned external service providers. Regular contacts with peers and colleagues in the systems community to maintain an awareness of state-of-the-art technology and its application to user needs. Contact as required to manage crisis incidents and major problems with critical applications, ensure that their impacts are minimized and manage related communications, co-ordination and follow –up, including after the shift.