CIO

We are hiring a CIO for our client, S.i. Systems. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) plays a critical role in driving company performance by developing and executing a technology strategy, roadmap, and IT operating model that supports business growth and scalability. Leading a team of 45, including Product & Applications, Infrastructure, and an Offshore Development Team, the CIO ensures technology initiatives align with business objectives. The ideal candidate is a business leader with deep technology expertise, who thrives in a collaborative environment, balances strategic vision with hands-on execution, and is committed to continuous improvement—both personally and organizationally.

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs):

1. Technology Strategy & Business Alignment

• Develop and execute the technology roadmap, aligning IT goals with business objectives to enhance growth and streamline operations.
• Ensure technology supports scalability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee the development and management of the IT budget and provide input in the administration of related budgets competencies

2. Application Optimization

• Evaluate and implement technology solutions to optimize staffing operations (e.g., ATS, CRM, payroll systems), enhance productivity and increase client satisfaction.
• Drive digital transformation by integrating new technologies and improving system efficiency.

3. IT Infrastructure Management

• Oversee the company’s IT infrastructure, including network, hardware, software, and cloud services, ensuring scalability, security, and reliability.
• Optimize infrastructure to reduce downtime and improve system performance.
• Align IT resources with business needs for better performance and growth.

4. Innovation

• Stay updated on emerging technologies and recommend solutions to maintain a competitive edge.
• Lead innovative and transformational initiatives, focusing on AI, machine learning, and automation to drive business improvements.

5. Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the IT department, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance culture.
• Oversee staff development, training, and mentoring to ensure the team stays ahead of technology trends.

6. Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Develop and enforce cybersecurity policies to protect sensitive data and intellectual property.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulatory requirements (GDPR, PIPEDA), and conduct regular audits.
• Establish incident response protocols to minimize the impact of security threats.
• Develop, maintain and test Business Continuity Plans and Disaster Recover Plans to minimize downtown in case of an incident.

7. Vendor and Partner Management

• Cultivate relationships with technology vendors to ensure cost-effective, scalable solutions.
• Negotiate contracts and manage service level agreements (SLAs) to meet business needs.
• Manage IT service providers to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.

8. Data Analytics and Reporting

• Leverage data analytics to provide business insights and support strategic decision-making.
• Implement and maintain reporting systems to track KPIs and provide real-time data for leadership.

9. IT Administration

• Establish and maintain IT department goals, objectives, processes and standards.
• Manage the governance of IT decisions and adherence to processes and standards.
• Assess and communicate risks associated with IT.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in IT leadership roles, ideally within staffing or recruitment services.
• Proven expertise in developing and managing IT strategies and large-scale systems implementations.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud services, enterprise software, and data security protocols.
• Experience with staff management, team building, and fostering a results-oriented IT department.

Qualifications & Attributes

• Strong understanding of Project Management methodologies, with a proven history of delivering on simultaneous projects within the expected timelines and to the agreed level of quality.
• Strong collaborative skills to work across multiple stakeholder groups to translate business strategies, initiatives, goals and objectives into project proposals.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and break down complex business problems into easily understood communications.
• Proven experience developing and managing an inhouse built application.
• Experience working with, and leading, offshore delivery teams.
• Strong understanding of compliance standards related to staffing across North America.
• Able to learn new complex ideas in a short time frame.
• Strong leadership, managerial, organizational, and communication skills.
• Adaptability, flexibility and the ability to maintain effectiveness during change.