Associate Director, Technology Delivery (Vancouver)

Job Summary

The Associate Director, Technology Delivery, provides senior operational leadership, strategic planning and analysis, and technical direction for the information architecture that supports Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) and the University’s Fundraising and Alumni Engagement solutions. This role leads and oversees the full lifecycle of DAE’s business critical platforms including CRM, online giving, event management, and integrated cloud-based applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML), Robot Process Automation (RPA), Cybersecurity and Systems Monitoring, PCI Compliance ensuring they are architected, governed, and evolved to meet both industry standards and the portfolio’s long‑term strategic objectives.

The Associate Director leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for systems management and systems analysis, quality assurance, training, documentation governance, and manages the delivery of technological programs. The role ensures that DAE’s technology platforms are secure, scalable, compliant with PCI, institutional and governmental policies, and aligned with modernized cloud architecture practices.

Working closely with senior leadership across DAE and UBC IT/Cybersecurity/Privacy, and PCI, the Associate Director translates complex business needs into actionable product roadmaps, oversees vendor and partner relationships, and ensures that technology investments deliver measurable value. The role requires a high degree of judgment, strategic foresight, and the ability to integrate diverse inputs into cohesive enterprise‑level solutions.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Director, Information Systems at DAE, and is accountable to DAE Services leadership and DAE executive leadership. Works closely with senior leaders, technical architects, technical and business stakeholders, and external vendors. Leads and mentors a team responsible for technical project management, business process, workflows and systems analysis, training, documentation, quality assurance, and release management.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic oversight of DAE’s complex enterprise solution ecosystem, including CRM, cloud‑hosted applications, public‑facing websites, online giving platforms, alumni and donor engagement platforms, event and email systems, artificial intelligence, and integrated services. Develops and enhances multiyear product and technology roadmaps aligned with DAE’s strategic priorities, operational needs, and institutional technological direction. Leads complex cloud architecture planning and coordination in collaboration with UBC IT, ensuring systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with modern architectural standards. Authorizes and ensures PCI compliance across all payment‑related systems, processes, and integrations, working with internal and external stakeholders to maintain secure handling of cardholder data. Governs and ensures the legislative and institutional compliance requirements are met, including Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) and UBC’s Security and Confidentiality Agreements (SACA). Oversees and provides expert guidance regarding release management processes, ensuring controlled, well‑documented, and risk‑managed deployment of new features, enhancements, and integrations. Identifies scope and leads high‑impact strategic information technology delivery projects of significant complexity, technical risk, compliance risk, and institutional visibility. Authorizes and directs enterprise‑level decisions regarding solution design, integration approaches, and technology selection. Leads and mentors cross‑functional project teams, ensuring alignment between business requirements, technical capabilities, and operational readiness. Conducts in‑depth feasibility studies, cost‑benefit analyses, and information technology and compliance risk assessments to support strategic decision making. Manages and maintains strong relationships with key information systems vendors, technology partners and consultants, ensuring service quality, contract adherence, and alignment with DAE’s strategic and business needs for business continuity. Evaluates and presents recommendations regarding vendor product release roadmaps, negotiates enhancements, and advocates for features that support DAE’s operational and strategic objectives. Establishes frameworks for vendor engagement, performance monitoring, and escalation management. Proactively identifies effective team resource allocation, workforce planning needs, and capability development across the team. Oversees the creation and maintenance of system documentation, training materials, and knowledge management resources. Leads the development and implementation of testing strategies, QA and deployment frameworks, and automation tools in collaboration with technical architects. Partners closely with DAE senior leadership to identify emerging needs, operational challenges, and strategic opportunities. Translates complex business requirements into actionable technical strategies and designs with a solution‑focused approach. Facilitates multi‑unit consultation processes, ensuring alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. Leads change management efforts to support adoption of new systems, processes, and technologies.

Consequence of Error / Judgment

Errors in judgment, poor planning, or failure to act decisively could have a detrimental effect on these systems. Unreliable systems and code errors that disrupt the operations of these systems, or failure to meet contractual obligations for performance and availability, will damage the reputation of UBC and DAE. This could adversely impact funding and revenue and the University community, including the large majority of students, faculty, and staff. Given that the Associate Director works with highly sensitive information including donor personal data, financial records, and payment card information, decisions made in solution design, integration delivery, and technical governance have significant implications for DAE’s operational effectiveness, donor experience, data integrity, compliance posture, and institutional reputation. Errors in judgment may result in financial loss, compliance breaches (including PCI), operational disruption, or diminished fundraising outcomes. The role requires expert technical judgment, strategic foresight, diplomacy, and adherence to secure solution delivery practices to ensure system reliability, protect institutional data, and maintain the trust of donors, stakeholders, and the broader University community.

Supervision

Received: Works with complete latitude within general policies and an administrative framework. Work is reviewed based on achievement of strategic objectives and portfolio outcomes.

Given: Manages and leads a team of full‑time staff and temporary resources. Provides functional leadership to cross‑unit project teams. Oversees vendor and contractor performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of related experience including at least two years of managerial experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in enterprise technology management, cloud‑based solution ecosystems, and complex systems integration.
• Strong knowledge of PCI compliance requirements and secure payment processing environments.
• Strong knowledge of Cybersecurity requirements for enterprise solution environments.
• Strong knowledge of legislative and institutional compliance requirements.
• Experience with vendor management, terms and conditions oversight, and third‑party solution governance.
• Experience with release management, application lifecycle management, and both Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Robust analytical, strategic planning, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and change leadership capabilities.
• Experience with CRM platforms, fundraising systems, and enterprise‑level data environments and cloud architecture.
• PMP, Agile/Scrum, or Six Sigma certifications considered an asset.