The Manager, IT Office, is responsible for leading and managing various strategic and operational functions within the IT department. This role involves overseeing procurement, contract and vendor management, communications, financial management, talent management, team development, service level and performance management, and asset management for software and hardware. The Manager, IT Office, ensures alignment with the organization's vision and business goals, promotes best practices, and fosters a high-performing, inclusive IT team. This role requires a strategic mindset and the ability to align IT investments with business priorities to drive efficiency and innovation, while providing insights and recommendations to optimize IT investments and resource allocation.

What You Will Do:

Procurement:

Develop and execute IT strategies aligned with the organization's vision and business goals. Developing and managing the procurement budget to ensure cost-effective spending. Define and promote the adoption of best practices in procurement management. Oversee the procurement process from vendor selection to contract negotiation and execution to maximize value and minimize risk.

Contract and Vendor Management:

Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring service level agreements are met Managing contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions and addressing any issues that arise. Negotiating terms and conditions with suppliers to secure favorable agreements for services. Building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors to ensure ongoing collaboration and performance. Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and address any issues or discrepancies to ensure continued alignment with organizational goals. Develop standardized vendor scorecards and governance models to monitor contract compliance and performance over time.

Communications:

Develop and execute an IT communications strategy to enhance connectivity, collaboration, and information flow across the organization. Partner with IT Leadership to create and deliver effective communications within and external to IT within ABS.

Financial Management:

Develop and manage the procurement budget to ensure cost-effective spending. Analyzing costs for IT related products and services to identify opportunities for savings and efficiency improvements.

Talent Management:

Make data-driven decisions to improve talent management practices. Develop and prepare potential successors throughout IT with recommendations for targeted development programs. Lead efforts to attract, retain, and develop IT talent within the organization by implementing training and development programs. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, ensuring IT teams are equipped with the latest industry skills and best practices. Encourage mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives to build future-ready teams.

Team Development:

Build and lead a high-performing IT team, fostering professional development and growth. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the IT department. Implementing initiatives to keep IT staff engaged and motivated.

Service Level and Performance Management:

Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their service requirements and expectations. Creating clear and measurable SLAs that outline the expected service performance and responsibilities for the IT organization. Report on service performance and identify areas for improvement through data-driven insights. Identify and mitigate risks associated with procurement, vendor management, and IT operations. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, industry standards, and relevant regulations to minimize operational risks and enhance security.

Software/Hardware Asset Management

Establish and maintain an IT Asset Management (ITAM) governance framework, ensuring alignment with business objectives and industry best practices. Define policies, standards, and processes for the full lifecycle management of IT assets, from procurement to decommissioning. Oversee regular audits of asset inventories to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with internal controls. Ensure proper disposal and decommissioning of assets, aligning with organizational security and environmental policies. Oversee risk assessments for IT assets, identifying vulnerabilities related to shadow IT, expired licenses, or hardware failures. Ensure software and hardware asset utilization is optimized, identifying cost-saving opportunities. Implement a cost forecasting model for software renewals and hardware refresh cycles.

 

What You Will Need:

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). 10-15 years of experience in IT management, procurement, vendor management, and related functions. This includes substantial experience in leadership roles, managing budgets, and overseeing complex projects. Certifications such as ITIL, PMP, or CISM may be advantageous

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Collaboration and Team Building: Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and build high-performing, cross-functional teams. Ability to mentor and develop team members. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels. Analytical and Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong analytical skills to interpret data and metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Ability to measure the impact of initiatives across Talent Management, UX, and Service Level Management. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets, optimize costs, and justify investments in technology. Proficiency in ITIL practices: including Service Level Management, Change Enablement, and Relationship Management. Expertise in vendor negotiation, contract management, and procurement best practices. Understanding of IT governance frameworks and strategic alignment. Experience with software licensing and asset management Ability to obtain a working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Management System

Reporting Relationships:

Reports directly to IT Vice-President and may have individual contributor reports.