Job Posting Title Senior Manager, Learning Applications

Job Description Summary

The Senior Manager provides overall management and technical leadership for a major functional area with multiple lines of service.

The Incumbent is a recognized subject matter expert for the Learning Applications functional area and has responsibility for the planning, budgeting, resourcing and execution of tasks that deliver systems projects, enhancements, maintenance and production support throughout the applications lifecycle. The Senior Manager is also responsible for co-managing the Learning Technology Hub, where staff from UBC IT and CTLT provide IT and pedagogical support to instructors. The Learning Applications Team manages the Learning Technology Ecosystem which includes the Learning Management System and a variety of other learning technologies and tools, to support Teaching & Learning across all Faculties in both campuses.

Organizational Status

The Senior Manager reports to the Director, Teaching & Learning Services and works very closely with management from the Centre for Teaching Learning & Technology (CTLT) as well as with the rest of the UBC IT Leadership Team, campus stakeholders, vendors and external institutions. This position supervises a team of systems professionals including team leads, systems analysts, programmer analysts, technical analysts, applications architects and quality assurance analysts.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:



Determines needs and leads the implementation of short and long term technology strategies to reflect changing business and technology needs.

Participates in long range planning for applications projects, and develops and maintains technology roadmaps for the functional area.

Responsible for managing the team to ensure support coverage for the diverse suite of applications.

Vendor negotiation for services and licenses as needed.

Prepares annual budgets in the context of the overall UBC IT priorities.

Promotes application lifecycle best practices and applies and follows appropriate change management methodologies and best practices.

Provides project management as required.



Core Duties:



Works with business partners and/or IT leadership to understand and anticipate business and IT needs of a major functional area with multiple lines of services.

Develops integrated strategies, operating plans, targets and measures for functional area and leads the day-to-day delivery of its programs, services and activities.

Establishes and administers functional area budgets, prepares cost/benefit evaluations and ensures for cost efficiencies.

Negotiates for, sources and obtains financial, physical, or human resources to support long-term projects and programs.

Develops and ensures systems, procedures, methods, standards and controls are created and followed which foster operational efficiency, monitor compliance, mitigate risks, and achieve functional area results.

Develops and implements innovative services, business solutions, and programs, provides leadership and oversight on projects, and collaborates with others on integrated solutions and initiatives across other administrative/academic units.

Develops and manages reporting Managers, team leads, professionals and other staff including selection, training, coaching, performance management and all other people practices.

Reviews feedback on staff as provided by the Team Lead/Manager and conduct regular meetings with direct reports and with staff within their functional area.

Manages the staff performance assessment process. Reviews Team Lead/Manager performance assessment feedback on staff performance and conducts regular meetings with direct reports and quarterly meetings with all staff.

Provides career planning advice to staff and creates development plans to help staff achieve their career goals including assigning work that leverages their skills and capabilities and provides them with opportunities for learning.

Manages performance concerns and disciplinary action in collaboration with HR and, where applicable, the Director. Provides guidance to Team Leads or Managers on more complex performance concerns and disciplinary actions.

Anticipates and analyzes trends in technology and assesses the impact of emerging technologies on the business.

Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.

Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Effective lifecycle management of Applications is essential for the delivery of UBC IT services to the departments and faculties. Decisions and actions taken by the Senior Manager will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively UBC Applications will perform and function. Failure to meet service level obligations for performance and availability of Applications could adversely impact the University community, including the large majority of students, faculty, and staff, and could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, funding and revenue. It will also damage the reputation of UBC and UBC IT.

Supervision Received

This position receives guidance and support from the Director of Teaching & Learning Services. The Senior Manager must be able to work independently and assume full responsibility for his/her decisions.

Supervision Given

Manages staff directly and indirectly through Team Leads. As required provides project management to staff and contractors who are assigned to a project team.

Preferred Qualifications

Post-graduate degree.Minimum of 10 years experience and 4 years managerial experience and 3 years specialized experience in the design and implementation of major computer systems or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Supervisory, presentation, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills required.
Demonstrated organizational, analytical, problem-solving and contract skills required.
Vendor contract negotiations and vendor management experience and assets.
Experience with UBC policies and systems is preferred.
Ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.
Ability to effectively facilitate groups to achieve appropriate outcomes.
Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and workshops.
Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities and work under constant pressure to meet critical, time sensitive deadlines.
Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
Ability to mentor and coach staff, and act as a resource.
Ability to work effectively with all levels of user, technical and management personnel.Collaboration - Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goal. Engages the right people within and beyond organizational boundaries, by matching individual capabilities and skills to the team s goals. Works with a wide range of teams and readily shares lessons learned and credit for team accomplishments.

Communication for Results - Converses with, writes reports for, and creates/delivers presentations to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support problem-solving and planning. Seeks a consensus with business partners. Debates opinions, tests understanding, and clarifies judgments. Brings conflict into the open empathetically. Explains the context of multiple interrelated situations, asks searching, and probing questions, and solicits expert advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.

Problem-Solving - Diagnoses problems using formal problem-solving tools and techniques from multiple angles and probes underlying issues to generate multiple potential solutions. Proactively anticipates and prevents problems. Devices, facilitates buy-in, makes recommendations, and guides the implementation of corrective and/or preventive actions for complex issues that cross organizational boundaries and are unclear in nature. Identifies potential consequences and risk levels. Seeks support and buy-in for problem definition, methods of resolution, and accountability.

Leading Self - Adapts approach without feeling own agenda or outcomes have been compromised. Challenges inefficient/ ineffective work processes and offers constructive alternatives. Analyzes work errors, successes and failures and sets learning strategies to rectify and increase knowledge. Ability to adapt to changing workload priorities, effectively reprioritizing or deferring tasks in line with operational and strategic goals.

Leading Others - Regularly provides constructive feedback and recognition to team members regarding job performance and works with them to identify work goals and create individual development plans. Identifies, mentors, and raises the profile of future high performers and leaders. Determines best approach and mediates conflict between individuals and groups.

Leading the Organization - Develops a clear service plan that outlines the outcomes, key steps, responsibilities and expected time lines for completion to reach unit goals and further the organization and the University s objectives. Communicates a collective purpose, creates a clear line of sight to the organization s value proposition, and ensures alignment with the University s goals and strategies. Engages in ongoing data collection to ensure that decisions are aligned with best practice.

Category

Information Technology