Manager, Core Platforms

THE OPPORTUNITY:

We are seeking a Manager, Core Platforms to oversee daily operations, with a primary focus on the planning, installation, maintenance, and upgrading of IT systems across our organization’s infrastructure. In this capacity, the successful candidate will manage a team comprising team leads, field technicians, network administrators, and system administrators, ensuring the timely and budget-conscious delivery of IT solutions.

The Manager will be responsible for the efficient operation of our network hardware, servers, and mobile devices across multiple locations, including the management of over 700 virtual servers. Additionally, this role involves evaluating, implementing, and managing IT infrastructure, virtualization, cloud services, and security protocols to meet our uptime and data protection goals. Further responsibilities include overseeing IT vendor relationships, negotiating contract terms, supporting technical audits, and contributing to the development and execution of long-term strategy and integration projects.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Field Technicians, Network Administrators, and System Admins.
• Develop and implement standards for servers and backend infrastructure across all business verticals.
• Plan and allocate system resources to align with business priorities.
• Set and track team and individual objectives as part of the PMP process.
• Provide technical oversight and approval for team tasks in line with IT processes.
• Create and drive the roadmap for infrastructure platforms, ensuring alignment with IT and business strategies.
• Support Systems Architects in defining and implementing architecture standards.
• Innovate and integrate the latest technology solutions.
• Plan, define, and manage budgets for systems requirements.
• Lead the delivery of infrastructure architecture, both on-premises and cloud.
• Lead third-line support to minimize support calls.
• Act as an escalation point for system issues, driving resolution.
• Drive Business and IT projects to meet goals and deadlines.
• Serve as an escalation point for Project Managers, influencing project outcomes to meet requirements.
• Review IT infrastructure aspects of new business bids, providing feedback and costings.
• Collaborate with SMEs and senior stakeholders, demonstrating strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Support and drive IT processes including Change, Incident, and Problem Management.
• Oversee IT purchasing and adherence to the Matrix of Authority.
• Manage contracts for software and hardware, including negotiation and renewal.
• Handle IT vendor management, securing standardized global pricing where possible.
• Lead an engaged team, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Act as an ambassador, demonstrating positive behaviors in line with company values, principles, and safety standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent professional training with at least 15 years of relevant experience, including supervisory duties.
• Strong technical IT background with 15+ years of experience across various technologies, disaster recovery, business continuity, and cloud computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
• Minimum of 10 years managing large-scale WinTel environments (700+ servers) in global settings.
• Proficient in operating systems, identity access management, IT security, and infrastructure technologies such as Azure, Office 365, Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, Hyper V, VMware, and NGAV with EDR.
• Experience with ITIL framework and methodologies, risk management, business continuity planning, and maintaining high uptime standards.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, develop processes, and drive process improvements.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify root causes and develop innovative solutions.
• Proven leadership and soft skills in relationship-building, team development, conflict resolution, and mentoring.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic, multicultural, and matrixed teams.
• Results-oriented, proactive, and capable of managing competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of company data.
• Willingness to travel 20-30% of the time across Canada to company operations and data centres.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

COMPENSATION:

• $160,000 to $180,000, annually.