IT Applications Specialist

Infrastructure Ontario (IO), an Ontario crown corporation, provides a wide range of services to support the Ontario government’s initiative to modernize and maximize the value of public infrastructure and realty. IO has been recognized domestically and internationally for the way it does business and the success it has had with its major projects, real estate services, infrastructure lending, commercial projects, and development mandate.  IO delivers some of the most complex, ambitious commercial and land development solutions for the Province and continues to evolve and expand its capabilities to maximize its public impact and deliver on its vision of Creating a Connected, Modern and Competitive Ontario.

Technology matters more than ever, and the Information Technology (IT) team is at the forefront of driving progress, change and innovation at IO, making it a stimulating and rewarding career choice. As a technology professional, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting technology and business projects, solve complex problems, and make a real impact on the way we operate and work. We are expanding our technology offerings and capabilities, moving to the cloud, improving our cyber security posture, enhancing our data capabilities, and evolving our support and operating model to ensure we meet the needs of a dynamic business. Here, you will be a part of a team that supports each other, partners and collaborates with multiple vendors and IO businesses, and provides a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on the province.

Reporting to the Manager, IT Applications, the IT Applications Specialist will lead the governance, development and operations of IO applications, ensuring adherence to defined standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines. They will manage and resolve issues and escalations related to IO systems and develop solution options to address business needs.

What You Will Do:

• Application Lifecycle Management:

• Lead the governance, development and operations of IO applications, ensuring adherence to defined standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines

• Ensure successful implementation of system enhancements, releases, patches, and fixes to deliver system performance, data integrity, and reliability.

• Lead resolution of issues and escalations related to systems

• Establish processes and protocols to effectively manage and optimize IO systems

• Collaborate with business and other IT teams to understand strategic goals and application requirements

• Manage vendor contracts ensuring value for money for IO

• Leads identification and risk mitigation to IO applications

• Provides after hours support of IO applications

• Solution Development

• Forge effective and trusted relationships with IT and business teams, supporting strategic objectives by analyzing requirements and presenting solution options.

• Research and present solution options to technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels of the organization

• Utilize business requirements to design and recommend   solutions

• Oversee application changes, manage vendors, control the release process for applications, identify opportunities for business and application process improvements, and offer ongoing support for internal departments and external users providing expert strategic and technical advice.

• Develop and execute test cases

• Vendor Management

• Responsible for directing and managing vendors and service providers, ensuring adherence to IO processes and procedures.

• Manage vendor performance excellence through effective contract and relationship management.

• Collaborates with teams and vendors to implement changes, updates, and troubleshoot issues to find solutions

• Supports the procurement of new vendors

• Operationalize vendor agreements defining and implementing a governance structure and processes

• Manage and measure vendor performance, validating KPIs and SLAs.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience supporting and maintaining multiple applications
• Business/Systems analysis certification or demonstrated experience
• Vendor and contract management experience
• Experience with MS Dynamics preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft solutions such as Office 365, M365
• DevOps experience
• Extremely organized and able to structure work
• Experience with Agile methodology
• Ability to handle multiple initiatives and prioritize competing demands in a dynamic, complex, fast-paced environment, to adapt quickly and to manage changing priorities
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to lead cross functional teams
• Customer focused

What's in it for you:

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A flexible, hybrid work approach that allows colleagues to find balance between their professional and personal lives and making the most of the benefits of working remotely and purpose-driven in-person collaboration opportunities.
• A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee’s annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more.
• A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and our parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks.
• Access to our $1000 Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program and a Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and can include coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling or financial planning.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being. IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and license fees per year for eligible colleagues if directly related to the employee’s role.
• Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs
• A convenient, central location at 1 Dundas St West, easily accessible by public transit.