Director, Program Strategy
Type : Permanent
Location : Toronto
Posting Date : July 9, 2024
At OPTrust, is our mission and business.
When you choose OPTrust, you join a team of smart, talented people who fuel our success and have a passion for pensions. Everyone at OPTrust – from London, Toronto, and Sydney – makes a meaningful impact, our environment is fast paced, but we find time to have fun and give back to the community as well. Our strength resides in our team members with different backgrounds and perspectives creating an inclusive and fulfilling place to work for everyone.
What OPTrust Offers You
Unique culture rooted in our core values – collaboration and teamwork, integrity, respect, flexibility, and excellence and continuous improvement – reflected across the team.
Dedicated business strategy for inclusion, diversity and equity with multiple, meaningful opportunities to participate.
Flexible, hybrid work model being implemented to balance the benefits of working from home and the collaborative teamwork experience in the office.
Membership in our world-class defined benefit pension plan.
A purpose-driven environment, including the opportunity to contribute to OPTrust’s climate change and responsible investing programs.
Professional development opportunities and learning initiatives including access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house speaker series, tuition reimbursement program and professional association memberships.
Comprehensive benefits package focused on your health and wellness, including dental, vision and extended health benefits.
Opportunity to take parental and adoptions leaves to spend time with family.
Competitive vacation package and time away from work such as work-life balance days.
If you strive for excellence and continuous improvement, value a collaborative and flexible team culture, and approach everything with integrity and respect, then we invite you to apply to join our team!
About the Role
Reporting to the Vice President, Pension Administration Transformation (VP), the Director, Program Strategy will be part of the leadership team that is responsible for driving the multi-year and multi-million dollar pension administration transformation at OPTrust (PATH). This transformation will include selecting and implementing a replacement pension administration system, converting the existing data and processes, managing organizational change / business transformation, achieving business goals / vision, vendor management, and maintaining engagement of the PATH team throughout the program. PATH leadership would work with internal and external groups and stakeholders, and provide regular updates and report to the CEO, the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees.
The Director, Program Strategy will provide leadership, guidance and expertise to the internal team and stakeholders. This Director will play a significant role in developing the overall strategy for the PATH Program and lead the development and execution of overall change management strategy to ensure the successful delivery of the transformation. This position is a member of the senior management team and acts for the VP in his / her absence.
What You’ll Do
PATH Strategy
Play a significant role in strategy development for the PATH team, and translate the strategy into executable plans through the development of short- to mid-term business initiatives for the PATH team
Lead the annual planning process for the PATH Program, including budget development, resource planning and related support
Lead the planning and preparations to support the PATH Executive Advisors, the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees meetings and decisions
Lead the periodic review of the PATH business case, governance structure, team structure and responsibilities, operational processes and other foundational frameworks, and update, as necessary, to ensure their ongoing appropriateness through different stages of the transformation
Participate in the RFP processes, as needed, including contract negotiations with vendor(s) and oversight of vendor deliverables
Build effective internal and external relationships to gather insights and best practices for PATH
Change Management
Lead the assessment of change needs and preparedness for PATH, including internal and external training requirements
Lead the development of change management strategy and comprehensive change plans for PATH, and oversee their implementation – including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management and training, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives
Monitor emerging needs and interests of various internal and external stakeholders
Regularly monitor change processes and procedures to determine areas for improvement
Communications
Partner with internal teams on internal and external communication strategies for the PATH program which are aligned to the transformation and overall change management plans
Lead the preparation of reports and materials for OPTrust board of trustees, executives and senior leaders, as well as other internal and external communication
Represent PATH in various internal speaking engagements, where necessary
Facilitate engagement sessions with internal and external stakeholders, as required
Other Responsibilities
Lead and oversee the resolution of escalated issues, keep the VP informed and further escalate issues to the VP, where appropriate, to prevent issues from negatively impacting the implementation of the PATH Program
Functions as a member of the senior leadership team, bringing forward appropriate matters for discussion and approval
Leads or participates in inter-departmental committees, as required
Support the VP in building and sustaining a strong and positive culture within the PATH team and promoting a high level of team engagement
Leadership, performance management and development of staff, including supervision, coaching, and development of talent and training plans to address current and longer-term needs of the PATH team
Responsible for partnering with PATH Leaders and the People Team to successfully execute team growth and recruiting, including development of job specifications as required, interviewing and assessment of candidates.
Other duties, as required.
What You Bring
Undergraduate degree. Post-secondary degree (e.g., MBA) is an asset
5-10 years experience in transformation, change management, management consulting, communications and / or research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Pension experience is preferred
Experience with strategic planning and change management
Demonstrated experience of strategic thinking skills with demonstrated ability to translate strategy into executable plans
Advanced analytical, research, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a proven ability to identify and anticipate issues, and to develop insightful and creative solutions to complex and non-routine problems
Effective community awareness and astuteness.
Change manager and trainer who can lead various personalities through process and technology changes
Effective interpersonal skills and strong ability to influence, collaborate and build positive and productive relationships with all levels of an organization and with different group of stakeholders (e.g., internal OPTrust staff, board of trustees, OPTrust employers, pension plan members)
Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrating creativity as well as technical expertise, and the ability to communicate complex issues effectively at all levels and to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
Proven experience of business skills, including planning and execution of business priorities, budgeting, project management, stakeholder management, procurement and vendor management
Demonstrated success with project management, including with organization-wide projects
Adapts easily to changing situations and demonstrates flexibility in juggling priorities with the ability to meet tight deadlines and successfully navigate in a fast-paced environment
Proven ability to lead and supervise multiple teams simultaneously and effectively, including direct management and indirect influence of teams at different levels
Effective leadership skills, demonstrated sound judgment, and excellent organizational skills Exemplify OPTrust’s values : collaboration and teamwork, integrity, respect, flexibility, excellence, and continuous improvement
Please submit your application via Workday by September 3rd, 2024.
We thank all interested applicants, however only those under consideration will be contacted.