Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vector Institute is seeking a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to join its team in Toronto as Vector continues its work to further establish Canada as a centre of expertise for AI in the world. The Chief Information Officer is expected to oversee AI compute and technology systems required to support the organization’s unique objectives and goals. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this role will be responsible for overseeing the company’s enterprise technology strategy, scientific computing strategy, as well as its cyber-security program, and will ensure that all systems necessary to support Vector’s operations and objectives are in place. As a senior role at a national AI institute, this role carries both internal leadership responsibilities and an external dimension. You will represent the organization across committees and collaborative initiatives involving key innovation ecosystem partners, while serving as a visible champion of Vector's thought leadership through speaking engagements at events aligned with the organization's strategic interests.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a member of Vector's senior leadership team, contribute to long-term organizational planning, provide strategic technology counsel and act as the organization's senior expert on enterprise computing, data, and AI infrastructure;

• In collaboration with the Chief Data Officer and AI Engineering team, lead the development and continuous evolution of Vector's internal AI strategy, encompassing systems deployment, enterprise tooling, and AI governance framework;

• Lead the management and ongoing evolution of the organization's enterprise architecture, ensuring alignment with Vector's research mission, operational and security requirements, and long-term strategic direction;

• Own and drive the organization's annual technology planning and budgeting processes, including the on-time and on-budget delivery of an annual technology project portfolio;

• Provide people leadership and development to Vector’s Business Computing and Scientific Computing teams;

• Oversee the planning, procurement, operations, and ongoing development of Vector's high-performance AI compute facility, including a high security research environment, two university-supported co-location sites, and a nationally shared AI research facility in which Vector serves as a leading user and governance partner;

• Assess and plan technology and staffing requirements necessary to sustain a leadership-class computing environment supporting both AI research and applied AI, including large-scale compute clusters and hybrid cloud utilization as well as a smaller, on-premise business computing environment;

• In collaboration with the Chief Data Officer, lead the continuous improvement of the organization's data management practices, data privacy protections, research and enterprise cybersecurity governance, including ensuring that risk assessment models and infrastructure remain aligned with data security policies and organizational standards;

• Ensure the effective and efficient support of Vector’s researcher community across all computing needs, exceeding one thousand users across the country;

• Oversee and manage business computing functions for Vector;

• Research and forecast emerging computing and technology trends to inform strategic planning and infrastructure investment decisions; and,

• Other related duties as assigned from time to time.

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

• Delivery of strategic and budgetary commitments;

• Positive qualitative stakeholder feedback on projects assigned by industry, academic, health, and research leaders at Vector;

• Effective management and development of a team of technical support personnel;

• External tests of computing security, efficiency, and productivity are completed regularly and successfully; and,

• Reliability and uptime of managed servers consistent with a top-tier research facility.

PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Graduate degree in computer science, engineering, or another relevant field preferred;

• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in a fast-paced, innovative environment;

• Comfortable working with a diverse range of stakeholders (e.g., leadership teams, operations staff, university, public and private sector scientists, multi-university graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, external industry, health, government partners), maintaining confidentiality and providing all with a trusted, respectful point of contact;

• Experience in a systems administration or management role in a UNIX/Linux or large-scale high-performance computing environment (experience working with GPUs preferred);

• Experience with cybersecurity protections compliant with privacy laws and modern international threats to data security, while providing highly productive computing experience for highly qualified personnel as users prefer;

• Demonstrated understanding of programming/scripting as it pertains to systems administration, and systematic accumulation and easily interpreted dissemination of monitoring and self-assessment of our computing use;

• Experience in regulated data privacy is considered an asset;

• Experience in managing environments using mostly open-source software;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to lead technical and business discussions and negotiations with hardware and software vendors;

• Experience working within a scientific research environment is considered an asset;

• Ability to work autonomously, prioritize, multi-task, and problem solve in a fast-paced and dynamic environment;

• Effective conflict and dispute resolution skills;

• Ability to be proactive, addressing potential problems before they occur;

• Knowledge of and familiarity with Broader Public Sector directives and institutional procurement processes is considered an asset; and,

• Strong attention to detail.
  

TOTAL REWARDS: The final salary offer will reflect the successful candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, in alignment with the Vector Institute's Compensation Policy.

The Vector Institute’s Total Rewards approach extends beyond traditional compensation and benefits. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of supports that recognize and value employees, including vacation time, floater days, GRRSP, a Health Spending Account, a Summer Hours program, and flexible work arrangements.

POSITION STATUS: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

INCLUSION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Vector believes AI powers possibility by advancing cutting-edge research and translating it into real-world impact through collaboration with research, industry, and government. Vector is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture that reflects its values.

The Vector Institute welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including those who are Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized persons/visible minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact [email protected]. The Vector Institute team will be happy to work with you to ensure your experience is as inclusive and accessible as possible.

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