Manager of Applications

At the City of St. Catharines, you’ll find more than just a job — you’ll find a place that fits.

Here, your work means something — where you can see the impact, feel the pride, and know you’re a part of something bigger. You’ll be trusted to do your job, backed by people who care, and part of a team that shows up for each other. There’s flexibility when it counts, and a real understanding that life doesn’t stop when the workday starts. With pay you can count on, great benefits, and a pension that helps you plan ahead — you’ve got more than a job. You’ve got the space to grow, the balance you need, and a place that gets it.

It feels different — because it is.

It’s a place that works for you.

About The Role

Reporting to the Corporate Information Officer, the Manager of Applications leads the City of St. Catharines’ enterprise application portfolio and oversees the team responsible for supporting, improving, and delivering the application systems that enable municipal services.

The role provides leadership, direction, and oversight for core City systems, application service delivery, system modernization, vendor-supported solutions, and digital transformation initiatives. The Manager brings both leadership and technical depth to guide a team capable of delivering solutions in-house and with vendors alike, working with departments to set priorities, manage risk, and ensure application solutions are secure, accessible, reliable, and aligned with corporate standards.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and oversee the Applications team responsible for the support, enhancement, implementation, integration, and maintenance of core City application systems.
• Manage the City’s enterprise application portfolio, including planning, prioritization, lifecycle management, upgrades, modernization, service continuity, and vendor-supported solutions.
• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of in-house applications and integrations and enabling cost-effective solutions across the organization.
• Set team priorities, manage capacity, assign work, and monitor progress to ensure application support and project work is delivered effectively.
• Work with departments to understand business needs, service pressures, and improvement opportunities, and guide the delivery of practical application solutions.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives that streamline processes, reduce manual work, improve online service delivery, strengthen data quality, and improve service to staff and residents.
• Ensure application initiatives align with corporate architecture, cyber security, accessibility, data governance, privacy, records management, and operational support standards.
• Oversee application-related procurement, RFPs, scopes of work, contracts, licensing, renewals, vendor performance, service levels, and issue escalation.
• Supervise staff, including recruitment, work assignment, coaching, mentoring, training, performance management, and staff development.
• Lead change management activities for application initiatives, including stakeholder communication, training readiness, adoption planning, and post-implementation review.
• Support operating and capital budget planning, forecasting, software licensing, support contracts, and technology investment planning.
• Ensure application services and related work practices comply with City policies, health and safety requirements, and AODA accessibility obligations.
• Act in the capacity of Manager of Infrastructure and Operations in their absence, as required.

What’s Required

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Technology Management, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Five (5) years of recent related experience, including three (3) years of experience leading, supervising, or managing staff involved in business application support, implementation, enhancement, or service delivery.
• Experience managing or supporting enterprise applications in a complex, multi-department environment.
• Experience leading application projects, system implementations, vendor software rollouts, upgrades, service improvements, and business process improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of application service delivery, lifecycle management, change management, testing, documentation, incident management, and post-implementation support.
• Technical depth in application development, integration, reporting, data quality, security, accessibility, privacy, and governance sufficient to provide effective oversight and hands-on leadership.
• Experience with municipal ERP, finance, HR/payroll, work management, permitting, or customer service systems is strongly preferred; familiarity with Cityworks, AMANDA, Dayforce, PeopleSoft, Central Square (CST and CCR), Vailtech, or ActiveNet is an asset.
• Professional certifications in project management (PMP), IT service management (ITIL), or Microsoft technologies would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of digital transformation practices, including process improvement, automation, online service delivery, system modernization, stakeholder adoption, and benefits realization.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, service contracts, software licensing, procurement activities, RFPs, scopes of work, budgets, and performance outcomes.
• Well-developed leadership, analytical, problem-solving, project management, communication, facilitation, customer service, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization and function effectively with minimal supervision.
• Valid Ontario driver’s license, Class G, with a clean driving record.

Job Details

Pay Rate: $122,257 to $143,380

Hours: 35 per week

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Location: St. Catharines, ON

Work Mode: Hybrid (50% or more remote)

Employee Group: Non-Union

Position Type: Permanent, Full-time

Duration: Ongoing

Vacancy Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy

Application Deadline

Jobs with an application deadline will close at 11:59 PM on that date. Jobs listed as ‘open until filled’ may close at any time.

Other Requirements

Candidates selected for the position will be required to complete the Ministry of Labour’s Worker Health and Safety Awareness training and provide proof of the educational credentials listed on their resume and job application.

What's In It For You

Curious what it’s like to work for the City of St. Catharines? Watch the video and Hear from Our Team.

Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Great People: Be part of a team that supports you, celebrates your wins, and helps you succeed.
• Make Your Mark: Bring your ideas, drive meaningful change, and leave a lasting impact on our community.
• Learn & Grow: Access training and development funds to take your skills to the next level.
• Competitive Pay: Competitive pay from a certified Ontario Living Wage Employer.
• Secure Future: Join the OMERS pension plan with employer-matched contributions.
• Balance & Benefits: Flexible hybrid work options plus health, dental, and vision benefits for eligible positions.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of St. Catharines is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and respectful work environment. We celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. Our community is enriched by people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences—a value reflected in our 2023–2027 Strategic Plan.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and education levels to apply. While specific qualifications may be required for certain roles, we assess each applicant’s overall suitability. Please note that unionized roles are subject to collective agreement requirements.

Accommodation

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact Human Resources at View email address on ca.snapjobsearch.com.

Application Process

To ensure transparency and fairness, all applications must be submitted online through our application portal. Please keep your contact information up to date and regularly check your spam and junk email folders, as important communications may be directed there.

Interviews and Assessments

Depending on the role, interviews may be conducted via video conferencing or in person. Various tests and/or assessments may be administered as part of the selection process.

Use of AI

The City of St. Catharines does not use artificial intelligence (AI) technology in any part of the recruitment process.