Regional Head of IT

We are seeking an inspiring Regional Head of IT to lead and elevate technology operations across our Canadian firms. This is a unique opportunity for a forward‑thinking IT leader who thrives in complex, multi‑entity environments and knows how to bring out the best in people. If you’re a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise, a passion for operational excellence, and a natural ability to motivate and guide teams, we want to meet you! The person selected can be based in Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal.

This role leads regional IT operations for our Canadian firms (Smart & Biggar and ROBIC) by ensuring optimal performance of all infrastructure, systems, networks, and applications while maintaining strong service levels and efficient processes. It oversees incident management, maintenance, backups, disaster recovery, operational reporting, and budgeting. The role works closely with Group Security on SOC alerts, patching, vulnerability management, and security roadmap execution. It contributes to regional and group IT strategy, planning, and roadmap development, while also overseeing technology projects and ensuring adherence to architecture and security standards. The position includes full people management responsibilities—team performance, development, resource allocation—and active collaboration with regional managers. It also manages vendor relationships, contracts, and performance to ensure high‑quality service delivery across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Operational

• Manage regional technology operations, ensuring optimal performance of infrastructure, systems, applications, networks (cloud and on‑premise), and adherence to SLAs, processes, and architecture principles.
• Oversee incident management, infrastructure monitoring, batch jobs, backups, disaster recovery, audits, and implementation of security measures.
• Lead resource planning, budgeting and approvals, operational reporting, preventative maintenance, and communication with regional firms and corporate teams.
• Maintain and update IT system/infrastructure roadmaps, provide help desk support, and act as key IT operational liaison for the region.
• Chair the IT Change Advisory Board and ensure consistent execution of changes and first‑level support for shared platforms.

IT Security Operations

• Coordinate with Group Security & IT Risk on SOC and EDR/MDR alerts, vulnerability scans, patching (systems, firewalls, network devices), and execution of the security roadmap.
• Work with the Group CIO on regional resourcing strategies, continuous improvement initiatives, and capacity planning.
• Co‑develop infrastructure strategy and roadmaps, contribute to group‑level IT decisions, annual regional IT plans, enterprise architecture initiatives, and broader strategic business planning.

Projects & Changes

• Oversee development, implementation, and management of technology solutions, ensuring alignment with architecture and security standards.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, produce project status reporting, and recommend improvements to processes and operations.
• Lead project teams when required, manage resources for projects/changes, plan transition to BAU support, and drive process improvements aligned with the IPH Way.

People Management

• Manage the regional IT team (approximately 35 people), including recruitment, performance reviews, development planning, and succession planning.
• Allocate team and vendor resources across BAU, incidents, requests, and projects while maintaining communication, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Collaborate with other Regional CTOs, represent IT within the region, and promote digital and IT strategies.
• Select, manage, and evaluate vendors to ensure service quality, value, and performance.
• Review and approve invoices, licenses, and support agreements, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree an asset)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT operations, including infrastructure, networks, systems, and cloud environments
• Demonstrated expertise in technology roadmaps, capacity planning, and IT budgeting
• Proven experience managing medium to large IT teams (25+ people), including recruitment, performance management, coaching, and succession planning
• Strong leadership presence and commitment to fostering a positive team culture
• Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional teams and collaborating with senior technical leaders (e.g., CTOs, CIOs)
• Recognized certifications such as ITIL, PMP, CISSP, CISM, a strong asset
• Ability to thrive in complex, multi‑entity environments and manage competing priorities

About Us

IPH Limited is the holding company for intellectual property (“IP”) and associated companies offering a wide range of IP services and products. IPH companies employ a highly skilled multidisciplinary team of approximately 1600 people in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Hong Kong. IPH companies service a diverse client base of Fortune Global 500 companies, multinationals, public sector research organisations, SMEs and professional services firms worldwide.

We are passionate about what we do and what we can achieve. The IPH Group is committed to promoting and maintaining a workplace culture of shared respect across companies to enable us all to feel valued and be the best we can be.

We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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