Manager, Technology & Innovation

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death. Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees.  
 
While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self-awareness and self-care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair. 
 
We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on-boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.  

The Impact the Manager, Technology & Innovation can make:

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations, the Manager of Technology & Innovation leads Covenant House Vancouver to continued improvement in technology at CHV’s three downtown locations for over 300 staff.  This includes cyber security, software and hardware upgrades, and innovative technology deployments. This position will also lead us to future growth as we expand as an organization and our technology needs evolve.

How you will contribute:

• Manage all technical vender relationships and contracts (phones, managed support services, internet, printers, etc.)
• Determine and oversee the department operating & capital budgets
• Manage and introduce recent technologies including AI (Artificial Intelligence), Microsoft programs, etc.
• Procure all technology (computers and other hardware, software, and safety technology), request quotes, work within budget, receive hardware.
• Supervise, coach, and inspire two technology staff who look after the day-to-day onsite technology needs and run equipment at CHV events
• Write and annually review technology policies and procedures
• Lead cyber security initiatives to safeguard CHV data, including penetration testing, staff training and testing, MFA, insurance coverage, reviewing vulnerabilities, and working with managed service provider on any breaches.
• Manage security systems (cameras, door security programs, intercoms) and relationship with security provider
• Responsible for the relationship and continuous monitoring of IT service delivery with the managed service provider to continually:
  • Assess security needs, costs, licenses, improvements, innovative technology, system updates and maintenance
  • Assess the quality of Service, benchmark the industry standard
  • Prepare business analysis with recommendations to the Director, Finance & Operations for change and improvement
• Be a member of the Privacy and Risk Registrar Committee for CHV, helping write privacy policies, assess organizational threats, and track cyber security breaches
• Review and implement innovative technology strategies

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• IT related diploma or degree from a professionally recognized institute. Any additional certifications in areas of cyber security or Microsoft infrastructure are an asset.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in IT support, systems integration, and/or technical project management.
• Minimum of 2 years in a managerial role, directing, or overseeing work.

Competencies:     

• Forward thinker, looking for continuous improvement and opportunities
• Possess excellent attention to detail, strong prioritization skills, and the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve
• Demonstrated leadership, motivational, and team building skills.
• Ability to delegate, set expectations, and monitor progress of all direct reports
• Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work commitments.
• Ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems
• Ability to remain calm and poised in urgent situations
• Exceptionally reliable and trustworthy
• Confident, clear, and succinct communicator, both written and verbal; able to synthesize information, provide opinions, and recommend solutions
• Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities
• Lead purposefully and effectively

The successful candidate can expect a starting annual salary of between $73,073.00 and $91,345.80 depending on factors such as internally equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $109,618.60. 

This position has flexible working arrangements with a hybrid in office expectation; excellent extended health and dental benefits for you and your spouse & children, including generous counselling benefits. During the first year, employees receive three weeks’ paid vacation, increasing to four in the second year; we have paid sick and personal leave and a matching Registered Pension Plan, investment in professional development, and more.  If you’d like more information on what we offer, please ask! 

We have been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2024!

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions.

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women;
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
• Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.

If our recruitment process does not work for you, let us know. Let’s see how we can work together to get to know you and see what might be a great fit!