Vice-President, Digital Transformation & Technology

Description

The University of Calgary is currently seeking a Vice-President, Digital Transformation & Technology.

The Vice President, Digital Transformation & Technology is a key member of the University's executive leadership team, which is focused on executing and implementing its 2023-2030 strategic plan, Ahead of Tomorrow. This role provides strategic vision and operational leadership to reimagine and implement digital, organizational, and cultural transformation across academic, research, and administrative domains. This role will also work in close collaboration with both the executive and senior leadership teams to ensure the university's mission, vision, and values are embedded in institutional decision-making and long-range planning.

The successful individual will develop and execute a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aligned with Ahead of Tomorrow and the University's other academic and strategic plans. The incumbent will champion innovation, ensure technology investments deliver measurable value, reimagine workflow and processes in order to foster a future-ready institution that meets the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff, and partners.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aligned with the University's academic and strategic plans;
• Collaborate with executive and senior leadership to prioritize digital initiatives and build institutional buy-in; and
• Lead enterprise-wide change management strategies to support transformation efforts.
   

Digital Infrastructure & Innovation

• Oversee the modernization of legacy systems, cloud migrations, and digital platforms that support teaching, learning, research, and administration; 
• Champion the use of data analytics, AI, automation, and emerging technologies to improve outcomes and decision-making; and, 
• Ensure cybersecurity, digital accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

Transformation Management

• Lead cross-functional teams through complex change initiatives involving people, processes, and technology; 
• Develop metrics and KPIs to assess impact, adoption, and ROI of transformation programs; and, 
• Establish agile governance models to support innovation and rapid iteration.

Culture & Organizational Development

• Promote a digital-first culture across all levels of the University; 
• Build capacity through upskilling, training, and fostering innovation among faculty and staff;
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and the executive leadership team; 
• Build partnerships across campus to drive alignment between academic, financial, operational, and reputational goals; and, 
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to identify and respond to opportunities and challenge

Desired Candidates Abilities, Background and Experience

Education

• A graduate degree in a relevant field such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline is required.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in digital strategy, IT management, or transformation leadership within complex organizations; 
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives, including cloud adoption, data strategy, and modernization of legacy systems;
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage large-scale change, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement;
• Experience working with executive leadership and governance bodies to align digital initiatives with institutional goals;
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, analytics) and their application in academic and administrative contexts;
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale, cross-functional transformation initiatives from strategy through execution, including measurable improvements in institutional performance;
• Experience overseeing enterprise portfolio management, strategic planning, or program management offices to ensure alignment and delivery of transformation goals;
• Analyze and evaluate existing workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement;
• Develop and implement streamlined processes to enhance productivity and operation efficiency;
• Monitor and assess the impact of process improvements, making adjustments as necessary to achieve optimal results;
• Utilize data-driven insights to continuously refine and optimize workflows;
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups, and manage matrixed resources from departments such as HR, IT, communications, and academic units; 
• Strong track record of using data-driven decision-making, business case development, and performance metrics to guide strategic initiatives and assess ROI; 
• Familiarity with higher education governance structures and the ability to work effectively with academic leadership, faculty, and administrative units would be an asset; 
• Experience in fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and digital literacy across an organization; 
• Knowledge of change management methodologies and experience coaching leaders and frontline managers through organizational change; and, 
• Understanding of regulatory, cybersecurity, and digital accessibility requirements in a higher education context.

The University of Calgary has engaged the Executive Search Firm, DHR Global to manage this search. To explore this exciting opportunity further, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].  
 

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to the People & Culture Team ([email protected]).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary (UCalgary), established in 1966, is one of Canada¿s leading research-intensive institutions. Located in the vibrant city of Calgary, Alberta, the university spans five campuses, including its main campus, Downtown Campus, Foothills, Spyhill, and an international campus in Qatar. UCalgary is home to over 38,000 students, with more than 30,000 undergraduates and 7,700 graduate students. It offers over 250 academic programs across 14 faculties, ranging from engineering and business to arts and medicine.
 

UCalgary is consistently ranked among the top universities globally. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, it placed 182nd worldwide and 8th in Canada. The university is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability, ranking in the top 3% globally for advancing the United Nations¿ Sustainable Development Goals. Its research excellence is supported by over 1,850 academic staff and a strong network of more than 221,000 alumni, two-thirds of whom live and work in the Calgary area.

Beyond academics, the University of Calgary fosters a dynamic campus life. It is home to the Dinos, its varsity athletics teams, which have produced numerous Olympic and Paralympic medalists. The campus features innovative facilities like the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, which support cutting-edge education and innovation. With its blend of academic rigor, research leadership, and community engagement, UCalgary continues to shape the future of education and discovery in Canada and beyond.
 

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.