Canada’s largest educational survey-instrument provider, The Learning Bar (TLB) is looking for a dynamic Chief Technology Officer to join our team.
The Company
The Learning Bar (www.thelearningbar.com) was founded in 2005 by Professor Douglas Willms and colleagues. Since that time, TLB has become the largest provider of online assessment tools to school divisions and ministries of education across Canada. The Learning Bar (www.thelearningbar.com) specializes in the development of web-based educational assessments and surveys designed to assess students’ cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes. Its flagship products include the Early Years Evaluation (EYE), an instrument for the direct assessment of children’s developmental skills at ages 3 to 6, and Tell Them From Me (TTFM), an evaluation system for the continuous monitoring of student engagement and well-being currently used in over 250 school jurisdictions across 6 countries.
The Learning Bar is experiencing significant growth in all area of business and is looking for a dynamic CTO to lead our technical team and provide architecture vision and technology strategy for our commercial products, as well as our internal technology solutions
The Opportunity
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is the most senior technical resource in The Learning Bar organization. The CTO’s role is to align the TLB’s technology vision, programs, products, solutions and services with the business strategy.
The CTO is the lead strategist for how to leverage technologies to architect and enable TLB’s commercial products and services, and for directing the information technology team to develop, test and package innovative offerings to customers.
The CTO leads both the commercial product development personnel and the resources responsible for internal operational systems.
Responsibilities will include:
Strategy & Planning
Participate as a member of the senior management team in aligning corporate strategic initiatives across all functional areas of the organization.
Participate as a member of the senior management team in governance processes of the organization’s technology architecture, telecommunications, networks, programming, media, and desktops.
Lead the technology team responsible for architecting and developing commercial products and services offered to customers
Lead strategic technological planning to achieve business goals by prioritizing technology initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technologies.
Plan and successfully deliver product release management
Guide the commercial product development team as they continue to develop, enhance, scale and optimize the commercial solutions.
Collaborate with the appropriate departments to develop and maintain a technology plan that supports organizational needs.
Develop and communicate business/technology alignment plans to the executive team, staff, partners, customers, and other stakeholders.
Direct the development and execution of a disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
Acquisition & Deployment
Assess and communicate risks associated with technology-related investments and purchases.
Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for technology spending and initiatives.
Define requirements for new technology implementations, either for ongoing business operations or for enabling technology-based commercial product and services offerings. The CTO must also communicate these requirements to key business stakeholders.
Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalize on economies of scale.
Define and communicate corporate architecture, procedures, policies, and standards for the organization for acquiring, implementing, and operating new business-enabling technology systems, equipment, and software in support of all business operations.
Approve, prioritize, and control projects and the project portfolio as they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of major information systems or enabling technology in support of commercial product and service development.
Operational Management
Conduct research to remain up-to-date and knowledgeable in regards to industry trends and emerging technologies in anticipation of new business processes and potential future commercial product enhancements
Analyze, establish and improve upon technology standards across the organization to maintain a technological and competitive edge within the market.
Act as primary liaison for the company’s technology vision via regular written and in-person communications with the organization’s executives, managers, and end users.
Creatively and independently provide resolution to technical problems in a cost-effective manner.
Develop, track, and control the Information Technology annual operating and capital budgets for purchasing, staffing, and operations.
Supervise recruitment, development, mentoring, retention, and organization of all technical staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and personnel policies.
Ensure continuous delivery of technical services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of systems, programs, and equipment performance.
Ensure equipment and software operation adheres to applicable laws and regulations.
Where necessary, oversee and develop patenting of intellectual property, inventions, and business processes.
The Requirements
Formal Education & Certification
University degree in the field of computer science (with demonstrated related experience). Master’s degree is an asset.
Knowledge & Experience
20+ years experience working in the ICT industry.
10+ years experience managing and/or directing technological operations.
10+ years experience with commercial software development.
Experience in strategic technology planning, execution, and policy development.
Excellent knowledge of technology environments and architectures, including telecommunications, networks, programming, media, and desktops.
Solid understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities.
Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems.
Technical experience with systems networking, databases, Web development, and user support.
Exposure to business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations.
Excellent understanding of project management principles.
Proven experience in planning, organization, and development of software teams developing commercial applications.
Demonstrated ability to apply technology solutions to business problems.
In-depth knowledge of applicable laws and regulations as they relate to technology issues.
ITSM certification would be an asset.
Experience managing privacy and security risks would an asset.
Personal Attributes
Proven leadership ability.
Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong strategic and tactical skills.
Ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
Keen attention to detail.
Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional service orientation.
Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
The Rewards
The Learning Bar is committed to providing employees with a good home/work life balance. We provide a flexible, collaborative team environment with a group of dedicated individuals committed to the success of their enterprise. In return for your experience and expertise, you will receive a compensation package that includes a competitive salary, profit sharing, health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in ongoing education and skill development. Relocation assistance may be provided.
The Location
The Learning Bar’s offices are located in downtown Fredericton, a small, beautiful, historic city with two universities, many cultural activities (including an excellent jazz and blues festival), plenty of recreational facilities and activities, beautiful parks and an extensive network of walking trails. Fredericton is well recognized for its exceptional quality of life. It also has a vibrant and rapidly expanding knowledge industry sector. You can find out more about Fredericton at www.teamfredericton.com/en/communityprofile/economichighlights.asp, www.fredericton.ca, and www.relocatecanada.com/fredericton/index.html.
To Apply
To apply for this senior position, please send your resume and cover letter in confidence to Vice President, Beth Fairbairn at beth.f@thelearningbar.com. We will treat any inquiry or resume received as confidential.