Manager, IT Workforce Planning and Engagement – Information Technology

Alberta Blue Cross® is an Alberta based organization dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experience and community leadership. We’re committed to providing the best health coverage to over 1.8 million members and take an active role in promoting wellness. We believe in what we do—and place trust in our employees to deliver our vision.

Working at Alberta Blue Cross® means having a career where you’ll be recognized for your contributions. We value diversity, encourage our employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and provide opportunities for career growth.

OVERVIEW:

We have an exciting opportunity in our dynamic Information Technology team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology & Data Officer, making a meaningful impact by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the IT division. This position focuses on ensuring smooth communication and coordination within the IT leadership team and beyond.

You will work closely with the IT leadership team, ensuring they operate at maximum efficiency while driving strategic alignment across the division. Acting as a critical link between leadership and teams, you will take on a wide range of operational and strategic tasks that are crucial to success in the diverse, fast-changing nature of IT. Your responsibilities will include providing guidance on strategic planning, team coordination, communications, and employee engagement. You will create high-quality content across various platforms, leveraging new tools and technologies to improve communication and connection. 

A key mandate of this role is to coordinate the activities of the IT leadership team, ensuring alignment and collaboration across different departments within the IT division. You will facilitate the communication of timeframes, milestones, priorities, plans, meetings and more within the IT team.

This position is ideal for a self-starter who wants to use their knowledge of technology, along with strong strategic thinking and communications skills, optimize workflows, facilitate decision-making processes, engage team members, and build relationships at all levels of the organization.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

IT leadership support

• Collaborate with the IT leadership team and key stakeholders to develop and implement strategic goals and initiatives.
• Execute communication strategies to support IT portfolios and employee engagement initiatives.
• Assist in shaping IT strategy by contributing to key decision-making processes and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Act as a sounding board and ideas generator.
• Curate content to enhance IT leadership visibility and keep teams aligned.
• Prepare insightful content and industry analysis to share with leadership and executive stakeholders.

Meeting and events management

• Plan, organize and facilitate IT leadership meetings, key strategic meetings, and off-site events to ensure success and impact.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to meet all meeting requirements and ensure clear, efficient communication.
• Collaborate with IT leadership to develop agendas that align with goals and ensure productive discussions.
• Conduct post-event evaluations to gather feedback, assess success and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage all-team member meetings within the IT division, including town halls, to support team engagement.
• Lead initiatives to boost employee engagement, fostering a positive and connected workplace culture that reflects company values.

Strategic communication and engagement management

• Maintain a consistent flow of information between IT leadership and the broader team.
• Provide operational and communication support, ensuring alignment with other departments and stakeholders.
• Develop high-quality, audience-centric content, including briefing notes, one-pagers, intranet articles, success stories, videos, blogs, backgrounders, key messages, Q&As, speaking notes, presentations, visual communications, and email updates.
• Mentor team members on communication best practices.
• Stay updated on communication trends and business needs to continuously improve strategies, methods, and platforms.
• Oversee and manage internal (IT) communications projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Leverage communication strategies to enhance employee engagement and foster a strong company culture within the IT division.
• Identify, implement, and optimize new digital tools and platforms to enhance connection and engagement efforts.
• Work with colleagues to create compelling content and ensure a consistent brand voice, look and feel for the IT division.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support IT initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal partners to provide guidance, tools, and best practices that support communication initiatives.

Operational communications and brand management

• Oversee communications, brand, and provide general support within the IT division.
• Evolve IT programs and portfolios such as Cybersecurity Awareness, Digital Employee Experience, Future of Work, and Enterprise Data, aligning strategies and communications.
• Review and improve incident and operational communications practices and playbooks.
• Create a communications plan and content calendar to support IT operations.
• Elevate the IT brand.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide strategic advice and planning to IT leadership.
• Build and protect the brand of IT leadership.
• Streamline processes and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the IT department.
• Ensure that communications from the SVP and Chief Technology & Data Officer are effectively conveyed to team members and teams, promoting transparency and alignment.
• Coordinate and manage IT leadership meetings, off-site events, strategic meetings, and other team meetings, setting agendas, developing content, engaging stakeholders and ensuring follow-up actions to support strategic goals.
• Advise and motivate IT teams and facilitate communications within the division.
• Foster relationships and influence stakeholders to ensure efficient execution of IT projects and portfolios.
• Build a positive work environment and enhance employee engagement through targeted communication efforts.
• Support the organization's digital transformation efforts by leveraging new tools and platforms for better communication.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns using performance metrics for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate quality control and approvals for communications products.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards in all communications.
• Drive innovation and empower team members to deliver better results by adopting and integrating new digital tools that enhance engagement and streamline communication processes.
• Ensure that accessibility and inclusivity are prioritized in every decision about communications and digital products.
• Develop a team member feedback program and create an overall plan for a ‘one team’ IT culture, including soliciting feedback from team members, embedding company values into daily activities and communications, and recommending initiatives required to move to desired future state.
• Partner with Human Resources, Learning & Organizational Development, Corporate Communications, Organizational Change Management, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead technology-related and IT operating model-related change management initiatives to ensure smooth transitions to new digital processes and technologies.
• Develop and implement digital workplace strategies to enhance productivity and team member engagement.
• Develop creative briefs for showcasing new technology.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a strategic role within IT.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IT operations.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Strong strategic thinking abilities.
• Expertise in identifying and fostering valuable partnerships and relationships.
• Exceptional communication skills with at least 5 years experience in internal communications.
• Experience coaching leadership on communications and change management best practices.
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to pivot, adjust and perform under pressure.
• Commitment to coaching and mentoring.
• Natural storytelling skills.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• High levels of creativity and curiosity.
• Excellent creative thinking, listening and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with new and emerging enterprise communication tools.
• Drive to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability as a change agent, with the ability to handle resistance and setbacks with patience and persistence.
• Ability to motivate others to support and embrace change.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• High level of initiative, empathy, judgement, and tact.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently.
• High level of competency with Microsoft programs and services.
• Proficiency in video production, photography, graphic design, and skills in using design tools like Adobe CC.
• Knowledge and experience of web platforms and content management systems.
• Familiarity with digital analytics platforms.
• Knowledge of IT incident response planning and communications.
• Experience with internal cybersecurity awareness and training programs.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.

Alberta Blue Cross® is an inclusive employer committed to a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We empower and are advocates for our employees by welcoming, respecting and valuing their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package and the opportunity to work in an innovative, high-energy team-focused environment. If you have the qualifications we are looking for, please apply.