Achieving success through the diversity of our people

Hybrid work schedule (Minimum 3 days/week) - Toronto office (please note that this position can also be filled in any of our offices across Canada)

The Canada enterprise applications team, headed by the director, works in line with the global and Canadian IT plans to deliver a robust and achievable technology roadmap enabling the firm's growth and to drive consistency and operational excellence.

The director, enterprise applications is responsible for the operation and strategic development of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP's application portfolio within the region and as part of the wider global network. They will be fully accountable for the application landscape and continuously delivering new solutions to drive business value, while keeping an eye on maintaining business as usual activities.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Delivers and supports business solutions, through implementation, development and integration of new and existing systems.
• Ownership and accountability of the Canadian regional application portfolio.
• Manages a team of +/- 15 direct and indirect reports, as well as project-related contract resources.
• Provides advice and recommendations on emerging technologies and trends.
• Champions IT service management processes.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning
  • Acts as a key liaison with senior leadership throughout the firm to ensure that applications meet business requirements and systems goals, fulfill end-user requirements, and identify and resolve systems issues.
  • Presents strategies to senior firm leadership regarding application portfolio (roadmaps, risks, implementations, etc.)
  • Reviews and analyzes existing applications effectiveness and efficiency, and then develops strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.
  • Cultivates and disseminates knowledge of application-usage best practices both within IT and throughout the firm.
  • Identifies opportunities where IT solutions can be used to build competitive advantage and improve efficiency and effectiveness of the business units.
• Ownership of the Canadian regional application portfolio.
  • Ensures the application inventory, roadmaps, and operation guides are maintained.
  • Manages the lifecycle of the applications portfolio, ensuring the timely retirement of applications and the decommissioning of associated components.
  • Manages the annual budgets relating to application maintenance services.
  • Acts as an escalation point for 3rd level support issues.
  • Designates application leads for individual applications and establishes clear accountability with team members.
  • Coordinates disaster recovery processes for applications with the DR/BC administrator.
  • Ensures cybersecurity risks are mitigated and ISO 27001 certification.
• Acquisition & Deployment
  • Researches and recommends software products and services in support of procurement and development efforts.
  • Evaluates, installs, configures, and deploys new applications, systems software, products, and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout the enterprise.
  • Analyzes documentation and technical specifications of any new application under deployment or consideration to determine its intended functionality.
  • Designs, develops, and installs application enhancements and upgrades.
  • Coordinates feasibility studies for software and system products under consideration for purchase, and gives advice based on findings.
  • Contributes to pre-testing phase of development by evaluating proposals in order to identify potential problem areas and make the appropriate recommendations.
  • Negotiates contracts with software and service providers.
• Delivery and support of business solutions, through development and integration of new and existing systems.
  • Works closely with other IT leadership (regionally and globally), to deliver projects at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
  • Supports the globalization of core business systems that facilitate the expanding international business.
  • Liaises with the Technical Design Authority (TDA) ensuring applications comply with stipulated technical guidelines.
• Operational Management
  • Manages and provides direction for the application team in support of business operations.
  • Liaises with network administrators and software engineers to assist with quality assurance, program logic, and data processing.
  • Develops and communicates training and documentation for end users, holds clinics as necessary, and other user-related.
• Manages a team of direct and indirect reports.
  • Communicates decisions, priorities and relevant information to the enterprise applications team members.
  • Develops processes within the team and with external teams to enable continued improvement.
  • Mentors team members and identifies opportunities for growth.
  • Supports knowledge transfer between team members.
  • Develops training plans for team members.
• Champions IT Service Management processes.
  • Holds team accountable for following defined ITSM processes.
  • Reviews, approves, and challenges change requests as a Change Advisory Board (CAB) member.
  • Conducts regular problem management meetings for tickets assigned to the enterprise applications team.
  • Ensures service records and knowledge base articles are up to date.

Qualification and Skills Required

• A bachelor's degree or higher with a technology focus.
• 15 years of experience in IT progressing from a developer/integrator/DBA.
• At least 10 years of experience in direct line resource management, and 5 years in a senior IT leadership role.
• Proven expertise skills in software development, .NET, SQL, and other integration technologies.
• Achieved ITIL Foundation certification.
• Achieved PMP, CBAP, Agile, or other project management or business analysis certification is a benefit.
• Achieved or pursing TOGAF, COBIT, is an asset.
• Experienced in managing a geographically distributed team of highly technically skilled employees.
• Experienced in managing and working with senior stakeholders, ideally within a partnership or matrix structured organization.
• Highly effective and proven experience in translating complex technical concepts to all levels of non-technical business stakeholders.
• Possesses strong business planning, analytical, and conceptual skills.
• Knowledge of legal industry technologies including document management, practice management, knowledge management and case management systems is highly desirable.
• Experience in implementing and supporting large technology systems.
• Experienced in budget creation, procurement and financial management best practices.

Why join our team:

• Hybrid work environment
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Benefit premiums paid by the firm
• Telemedicine services
• Wellness matters: Flexible health and wellness allowance that covers much more than gym memberships!
• Training and development programs based on your interests and needs

Ready to join a proactive and modern firm that provides an exceptional career experience in an inclusive and collaborative environment? Come join us!

As a global law firm, we embrace a culture of excellence and working hard, but always with a focus on flexibility, respect, diversity and openness. We strive to create an equitable, inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole self to work and realize their career potential.

To find out more about how we integrate diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do please click https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-ca/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.

If you are unable to apply for a position online or require any reasonable adjustments during the recruiting process, please contact TORHR_RH@nortonrosefulbright.com to further discuss your needs.

Please note that applicants who receive an employment offer may be required during their employment with Norton Rose Fulbright to provide proof of vaccinations recommended from time to time by government or public health authorities. Norton Rose Fulbright has a duty to accommodate those who are unable to get vaccinated due to protected grounds. For applicants who require an accommodation, please contact TORHR_RH@nortonrosefulbright.com to discuss further.

We thank all candidates for their applications, but please note that we will be contacting only those whom we invite for an interview.

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