The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is seeking an experienced Technical Lead to provide senior technical leadership within IT Systems and Services (ITSS), supporting the planning, design, implementation, and ongoing operation of the University's enterprise IT systems and network infrastructure.
Reporting to the Director of IT Operations, this role is ideal for a seasoned technical professional who combines deep hands-on expertise with strategic thinking, initiative, and leadership by influence. The Technical Lead plays a critical role in shaping technical direction, advising management, guiding implementation best practices, and ensuring the reliability and security of mission-critical systems that support teaching, learning, research, and administration.
This role supports UPEI's ongoing modernization of enterprise systems and the need for sustained senior technical leadership within ITSS.
Working Conditions- Primarily office-based with regular work in datacenter environments
- Participation in a 247 operational environment, including on-call responsibilities
- Occasional off-hours and emergency work to support critical systems
- Physical requirements include lifting equipment and working in confined or noisy spaces
RESPONSIBILITIES:Leadership & Strategy - Provide senior technical leadership and subject-matter expertise across enterprise systems, databases, and network infrastructure
- Assist ITSS management with coordinating and prioritizing the activities of ITSS technical staff
- Advise ITSS management on technology strategy, system architecture, implementation approaches, risk, and operational impacts
- Take initiative in identifying opportunities to improve reliability, security, efficiency, and scalability of IT services
- Lead the technical planning and execution of medium-scale initiatives and service improvements
Solution Design & Implementation- Research, evaluate, test, and recommend new or enhanced technology solutions to meet evolving campus needs
- Lead or contribute to the design and implementation of new systems and services, ensuring alignment with institutional standards and best practices
- Integrate new technologies into existing environments and ensure they are operationally sustainable
- Develop and document solutions to the point where they can be supported as part of standard operations
- Own technical solution quality from design through operational hand-off, ensuring supportability and sustainability
Enterprise Systems & Network Operations- Provide senior-level administration and oversight for enterprise applications, databases, servers, and network devices. Primary technical domains include:
- Enterprise infrastructure (on-prem and cloud)
- Microsoft 365 / Azure services
- Identity, access, and security controls
- Core academic and administrative systems
- Enterprise network systems (CISCO SDA )
- Monitor system and network performance, availability, licensing, and security, and take corrective action as required
- Lead complex troubleshooting efforts, incident response, and recovery activities for critical systems
- Establish, document, and maintain technical standards, procedures, and operational documentation
Consulting, Collaboration & Support- Act as a trusted technical advisor to ITSS colleagues, management and to the broader university community
- Provide senior-level technical consultation and escalation support to faculty, staff, and students as required
- Support requirements gathering and technical analysis for institutional projects and initiatives
- Develop technical documentation and training materials to support systems and services
- Engage with external vendors, suppliers, and peer institutions on design, support, procurement, and escalation matters
Continuous Improvement & Professional Development- Stay current with emerging technologies, industry standards, and best practices relevant to higher-education IT
- Conduct technical and cost/benefit analysis for proposed initiatives
- Proactively identify technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies
QUALIFICATIONS: - A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- 7 years of demonstrated experience in a technical leadership role (e.g. Team Lead) within an enterprise IT environment (cloud architecture, enterprise networking, infrastructure services, endpoint management, or closely related domains).
- One or more professional certifications would be considered an asset (e.g. Azure Certified Solutions Architect, Project Management Professional (PMP), CISSP, and ITIL 4 Foundations.)
- Experience leading or supporting large-scale, cross-functional, or multi-disciplinary technology programs or services
- Experience in enterprise information technology or research-focused computing environments is an asset
- Strong critical thinking, analytical abilities, and sound judgment in complex decision-making contexts
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills for engaging executives, technical teams, customers, and vendors
- Ability to collaborate, influence, and maintain strong relationships
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain multiple priorities in dynamic environments
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to delivering customer-focused outcomes
