Chief Information Officer

At the City of Welland, we're continuously rewriting our story. Not because we don't know where we're going, but because we are constantly reaching for new heights, engaging in new approaches, and pursuing what many believe to be unattainable or too ambitious. We're not satisfied with the status quo, and we're certainly not satisfied with doing things a certain way simply because that's how they were done in the past.

We expect our population to increase to over 80,000 in the next 20 years, and serving a diverse, growing community requires strategic thinkers, norm breakers, and passionate civil servants. In Niagara, Welland's growth leads every other municipality, and the City is becoming the region's heartbeat.

So, we invite you to author your chapter and contribute to the overall body of work the City of Welland is creating. At the City of Welland, your ideas are nurtured, your input is invited, a healthy work-life balance is available, and most importantly, your voice will make a difference.

About the Position

Under the direction of the General Manager of Corporate and Enterprise Services, the Chief Information Officer provides strategic direction for the City’s Information Services function. The position is responsible for executing the City’s IT Strategic Plan, including advancing digital services for residents, improving internal business systems and processes, modernising technology infrastructure and strengthening the City’s cybersecurity posture. The CIO works closely with departments and senior leadership to align technology with organisational priorities and to drive continuous improvement and innovation across the Corporation.

Duties & Responsibilities

The duties listed are not meant to provide a description of each and every job the role performs, but those that represent the core functions of the job.

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Lead the execution of the City’s IT Strategic Plan and ensure initiatives are sequenced, monitored and delivered according to scope and priorities.
• Support corporate planning by identifying technology opportunities that improve service delivery, operational efficiency and resident experience.
• Provide strategic advice to the General Manager and Corporate Leadership Team on emerging technology trends, major system decisions and digital modernisation efforts.
• Participate in the preparation of operating and capital budgets for the City’s IT needs.

Digital Services and Resident Experience

• Advance the City’s digital service agenda by supporting initiatives such as the customer portal, digitisation of citizen‑facing services, CRM adoption and improvements to online transactions.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure digital tools and platforms provide a consistent, user‑friendly and accessible experience for residents.
• Promote consistent standards and approaches for evaluating and improving digital services across departments.

Internal Systems & Business Process Improvement

• Oversee improvements to internal business systems, including process review, systems configuration, workflow optimisation and staff training.
• Support acquisitions and replacements of major corporate systems (e.g. finance, HRIS, CRM, DMS) by guiding requirements, reviewing proposals and coordinating departmental input.
• Ensure business systems are used effectively, consistently and in alignment with corporate needs and process improvements.

Technology Infrastructure & Operations

• Oversee the operation and reliability of the City’s core infrastructure, including servers, networks, storage, endpoints and cloud services.
• Direct lifecycle planning, upgrades and modernisation efforts for hardware, software and network components.
• Ensure appropriate standards, documentation and procedures are in place to support stable, secure and efficient operations.

Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Strengthen the City’s cybersecurity posture by supporting the development of policies, controls, frameworks and incident response processes.
• Oversee risk assessments, vulnerability management, access controls and related security practices.
• Support the development of business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities, including failover readiness and recovery testing.

Stakeholder, Governance and Vendor Management

• Work collaboratively with all City departments to understand their needs, support technology adoption and ensure alignment with corporate priorities.
• Support the IT Steering Committee and contribute to consistent, transparent decision‑making for corporate technology investments.
• Oversee vendor relationships, contract performance and procurement activities related to technology solutions and services.

Project and Change Management

• Oversee technology projects from planning through implementation, ensuring scope, timelines and risks are managed effectively.
• Coordinate cross‑departmental input and ensure change management practices support staff adoption and minimise disruption.
• Monitor project progress, issues and resourcing needs, escalating to the General Manager as required.

Team Leadership and Service Delivery

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to the Information Services staff, supporting a culture of customer service, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Assign work, support staff development by providing coaching, regular feedback and clear expectations that align with corporate policies.
• Promote effective service management practices, including ticketing, prioritisation, documentation and service standards.

Supervision

• Provide oversight and direction to Information Services staff.

What you need to Succeed...

• University degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressive experience in information technology, including experience leading technology operations, business systems or infrastructure services in a municipal or broader public‑sector environment.
• Experience implementing technology strategies, managing technology projects and supporting organisational change.
• Knowledge of municipal technology environments, including core business systems, digital service platforms, network and server infrastructure, cloud services and cybersecurity practices.
• Strong understanding of IT governance, vendor management, service management and procurement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with departments, engage senior leadership and support corporate priorities through the effective use of technology.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly and work collaboratively with staff at all levels.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Salary and Benefit Information

$153,255 - $179,287 (2026 rates)

Why Choose Welland?

• OMERS Pension: Secure your future with an OMERS pension, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. To learn more visit https://www.omers.com/.
• Five Wellness days: We understand the importance of mental and physical well‑being. That’s why we offer five wellness days that can be taken in succession, giving you the opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate, and prioritise self‑care when you need it most.
• Adaptable and generous benefits package: Your health and happiness matter to us. That’s why we offer a flexible and generous benefits package. From medical and dental coverage to additional perks, we’ve got you covered, ensuring you and your loved ones receive the care and support you deserve.
• Flexible work arrangements: We believe in work‑life harmony, and that means something different to each of us. Embrace flexibility with our assortment of work arrangements, including hybrid, condensed work weeks, and flexible schedules. Whether you thrive in a traditional office setting or prefer the comfort of your home office, we empower you to tailor your work environment to suit your needs.
• Fair‑market value salary: We recently conducted a comprehensive compensation review to ensure our pay aligned with current market values and fairly reflected the skills and contributions of our team. This process involved industry benchmarking and employee feedback to maintain competitive and equitable compensation.

How to Apply

Submit a current application which includes a current cover letter and resume.

The City of Welland is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection processes. In addition, the City of Welland is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Should you require any accommodations, we will work to meet your needs.

All applications are held in strict confidence. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, we will only contact those selected for an interview. No phone calls, please.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is for employment assessment purposes only.

Corporation of the City of Welland | 60 East Main Street | Welland, ON | L3B 3X4 | welland.ca