Manager, Application Development

Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Applications and Development, the manager oversees a team responsible for the administration of software platforms which support City of London Service Areas and Business Units in a highly performant and secure computing environment. The manager will oversee the development of applications and integrations to increase efficiency and effectiveness, while improving client experiences associated with custom applications and third-party applications used by the corporation. The primary focus of the Applications Development III Work Area is to provide Information Technology (IT) services in support of the customer relationship management and the IT service management platforms. The manager leads the coaching, training, and guidance on project management templates, processes, and best practices for the Information Technology Services (ITS) Division.   

Work Performed

• Provide leadership in the coordination of deliverables (programs, initiatives, policies, projects, planning) that contribute to the achievement of strategic initiatives for the Information Technology Services to meet the Council’s Strategic Plan.
• Oversee a team of union and non-union resources including hiring, coaching, administration, training and setting performance objectives for reporting employees. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Implement and manage software development lifecycle best practices such as coding standards, security reviews, quality control testing, strategic prioritization of features in off-the-shelf and custom developed software solutions, supporting formal software versioning and change control best practices.
• Create and champion processes to encourage component re-use, leveraging existing solutions to the maximum extent possible before acquisition or development of new solutions, always with the aim of increasing the corporation’s Return on Investment in existing solutions.
• Monitor advancements in system and software development architectural best practices, recommending for approval new software design techniques supporting the goal of reducing application implementation project costs.
• As directed, intelligently and strategically leverage cloud-based solutions for software development tools, technologies, and platforms where such platforms offer cost savings, improved features, and efficiencies.
• With a comprehensive understanding of applicable business processes, identify projects and participate in business case development and project management where technology will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.
• Manage the team responsible for analysis, design, development, configuration integration, implementation and support of custom applications and third-party platform applications including supporting technologies as well as custom and third-party integrations that support the Corporation’s business processes.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and ongoing support of application architecture which includes defining and implementing standards, continuous refinement activities, maintenance, change requests, risk management, reporting and third-party integrations that support the Corporation’s business processes.
• Coordinate and supervise vendor management including procurement, project management, service level agreements, documentation, and risk management.
• Lead the development and delivery of an annual work area plan for the team with a focus on the alignment of goals, metrics, operations, and projects to Council’s Strategic Plan.
• Manage the collection and reporting of performance metrics associated with team goals.
• Review and approve upcoming IT application and infrastructure changes as part of the Change Advisory Board along with other ITS managers. Chair the Change Advisory Board meetings on a rotating schedule.
• Lead the creation and delivery of technological roadmaps to ensure the IT components associated with custom applications and software platforms remain supported and secure in alignment with capital and operating budget plans.
• Coordinate software upgrades and patching through operational processes and Technology Investment Strategy (TIS) projects to ensure stability of the software platforms, third-party solutions, and custom applications.
• Oversee vulnerability mitigation processes associated with software platforms, custom applications, third-party components, and integrations.
• Assist with the evaluation and recommendation of software and other associated technology.
• Lead the development, adoption and coaching on project management methodologies, templates, processes, and best practices within ITS.

• Identify and recommend internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored, and reported on specific to the Division.
• Promote and foster working relationships with employees and bargaining units and ensure consistent application of the collective agreements.
• Liaise with unions on issues that affect bargaining unit employees as required.
• Fairly and consistently administer provisions of various collective agreements to promote resolution of grievances.
• Provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings as required.
• Build and support employee commitment to a high level of performance in all areas of customer service, employee safety and delivery of individual goals and objectives.
• Engage in opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of enterprise-wide collaboration.
• Identify, recommend, adapt, and implement innovative and effective work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities of the team.
• Recommend and develop processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and continuous improvement opportunities to improve both the client experience and the effectiveness of services provided by Information Technology Services.
• Implement strategies to track performance measures for Work Area deliverables, using appropriate data collection and analytics.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts. 
• Provide input to the development of the annual operation budget for the Information Technology Services Division.
• Provide updates, information and recommendations to the Senior Manager, Applications and Development on priorities with responsibility to operationalize identified goals and strategies.
• Prepare reports and/or represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.
• Prepare a response to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Manager, Director, or Deputy City Manager of the Service Area.
• Represent the City of London and Service Area in legal proceedings as required.
• Represent the Division on the various boards and committees of external organizations, associations, and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions as required.
• On a rotating schedule, act as the after-hours Escalation Manager.
• On a rotating basis, supervise and coordinate semi-monthly after-hours Preventative Maintenance activities.
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with stakeholders, employees and individuals and implementation of policies, programs and protocols that reflect this commitment.
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; and actively promote a culture of safety with direct reports.
• Encourage and support employee participation and commitment to divisional and organizational objectives.  Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct reports. 

Qualifications/Experience

• Three-year Community College Business Information Systems Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences or in a related field plus five years of application experience is required.
• Five to seven years related management experience in an information technology environment or equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.
• Information and Technology and Project Management focused certifications are an asset; examples include but not limited to: Project Management Professional, Microsoft Certifications (Fundamentals, Associate, Expert)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365, ESRI ArcGIS, Microsoft ALM, software development technologies, Agile, Kanban and Lean process management skills would be an advantage.

Specialized Training & Licenses

Skills and abilities in the following areas are necessary:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the above identified areas of accountability with an understanding of the Unit’s programs and services.
• Demonstrated success leading or supervising employees, contracted services, and consultants.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the Unit’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and customer services skills, including conflict resolution and problem solving; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse populations within the community; experience working collaboratively with organizations, clients, and other stake holders.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills; demonstrated political acumen.
• Ability to work varied hours to meet requirements of the 

Compensation and Other Information

$96,723 to $126,632

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