Director, IT Strategy & Planning

Employment Type: Full-time Regular

City: Calgary, AB (YYC)

Posting Open Date: 12/17/2024

Posting Close Date: 01/07/2025 (Please note the posting will close at 11:59pm MST)

Please Note: This is a hybrid work position in Calgary Alberta and requires in-person collaboration at the WestJet Campus (22 Aerial Place NE) 3 days per week. This provides flexibility the remaining 40% of the work week. This hybrid work plan allows for critically important learning, collaboration and networking with our colleagues. Specific days in the office are agreed upon by the team.

Why WestJet:

Every WestJet journey has the potential to enrich lives; a career with us is no exception.

WestJet arrived on the Canadian airline scene in 1996 and changed the industry for the better. We made air travel more affordable for Canadians and now we're going global.

Join us, this is where your career story takes off.

Overview of the role:

The Director, IT Strategy & Planning is accountable to drive and measure an integrated, modern technology strategy to support the overall business strategy. This role will work with the team to provide an aligned portfolio, architecture practices and department wide metrics to drive business value. The role reports directly to our Chief Information Officer and helps to enable the team to be a trusted partner that provides technology solutions that are simple, secure, reliable, and cost-effective. The ideal candidate has a proven track-record of creating and driving a cost-effective strategy and plan that delivers effective use of technology to drive business performance. This position offers a great opportunity to proactively develop and grow a technology strategy and portfolio within a fast-paced environment.

Key deliverables include:

Work across the department and organization to develop our comprehensive IT strategy, roadmaps and portfolio that enables our business strategy.

• Provide leadership and guidance to all areas within IT to align to the Technology strategy and direction, in ensuring we are managing and prioritizing all required initiatives from an IT perspective.
• Forms part of the IT Senior Leadership team and works collaboratively across the group and exhibits the servant leadership mentality that is aligned with WestJet’s culture.
• Establishes metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness of technology strategies and delivery initiatives.
• Provide leadership and guidance to all areas within IT to align to the Technology strategy and direction, in ensuring we are managing and prioritizing all required initiatives from an IT perspective.
• Lead and mentor the IT Strategy and Planning team including hiring, career development and performance reviews. Provide leadership, mentoring and coaching for all staff and foster a culture of accountability, innovation and team building.
• Provides leadership to an IT Architecture practice that ensures technology strategies align with the broader needs and strategies of the company, both now and in the future. Manage technology complexity in support of the company’s IT Investments and risk appetite.
• Provide leadership to a portfolio and planning practice that ensures oversight and governance of IT portfolio including demand management, strategic goal alignment, and outcome success tracking
• Provide leadership to a delivery practice aligned with the organizations PMO processes including success outcome identification, project/program governance structure, scoping, and dependency documentation.
• Develop long range plans to drive efficiency, automation and reduce costs through the implementation of technology solutions.

• Champion constant process improvement through automation and orchestration within the IT, consistently challenges the status quo if there are efficiencies to be gained through technology adoption.
• Oversees the IT budget ensuring cost-effective use of resources and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned and consistent with the role.

Experience and Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a team player with business acumen, strategic insight and sound judgment along with proven, in-depth experience in supporting sensitive and high-touch projects.

• An MBA or bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, business administration or related major or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Enterprise IT senior leadership experience in an organization of similar size, scope and complexity to WestJet.
• Minimum of 5-7 years in senior leadership positions directly related to technology delivery or IT Architecture domain.
• Previous experience within aviation industry would be an asset
• Experience in designing and delivering technology transformation through collaboration across technology and business teams.
• Recognized as a leader who can translate effectively between technology and business needs.
• Ability to work within a demanding, dynamic work environment and be part of a larger technical management team focused on performance and delivery.
• Strong metrics-based mindset and approach to operational performance.
• People leadership experience, being able to oversee teams that are highly autonomous in nature.
• Ability to drive value-based decisions with the desire to understand the total cost of ownership around technology choices.
• Strong presentation skills; comfortable leading discussions across the organization at all levels of the organization.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent conflict resolution technique and capable for building consensus with business technology and management across multiple organizational structures.
• Ability to balance the long-term ("big picture") and short-term needs of the organization
• Excellent at collaboration and proven to be influential within direct team environments and across the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Proven record of building high performing team.
• Proven history of thriving in a fast-paced environment, while dealing with ambiguity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The benefits of being a WestJetter:

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs

Think we are a fit? Apply now!

About WestJet Group of Companies

Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships.

Our Safety Promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. As safety and security is a shared responsibility, it is expected that you will use safe work practices to ensure your well-being and the safety of others.

WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as safety sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We embrace what makes us each unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity, and accessibility and if you require accommodation during the selection process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest in WestJet; however, only those candidates who are selected will be contacted.

For more information about everything WestJet, please visit WestJet.com.

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