Director, IT Business Partner - Canada

Job Title: Director, IT Business Partner - Canada

Location:Hybrid: Hamilton, Canada (At least 2 Days a Week)

Job Summary:

As the Director, IT Business Partner for Canada, you will lead the development and management of the business engagement function for Canada. You’ll work closely with Canadian leadership teams, Finance Shared Services, IT service delivery teams, and other shared service leaders to drive financial goals, enhance customer satisfaction, and ensure alignment and governance with Stryker’s IT strategy. This role requires a strong understanding of Stryker’s strategic objectives and will involve driving IT initiatives, overseeing financials, and ensuring adherence to operational procedures.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and develop a high-performing IT team, overseeing budget management and program deliverables.
• Serve as a strategic consultant, providing insights to shape business vision and IT strategy, especially where geographical and divisional priorities conflict.
• Manage a team of IT business partners and analysts to align IT portfolio outcomes with strategic objectives.

Business Engagement & Demand Management:

• Align business demands and IT project portfolios with strategic goals, ensuring accountability for value delivery.
• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to finalize functional specifications that meet business requirements.
• Oversee business engagement and capability development in Canadian operations to enhance overall IT alignment.

IT Strategy & Innovation:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy and application roadmap to support Stryker’s goals.
• Drive digital innovation and IT initiatives that support core business processes and operations.
• Conduct market research, stay updated on technology trends, and facilitate training sessions to maintain high business and IT acumen.

Governance & Compliance:

• Act as a liaison within the information systems governance group to ensure compliance with global IT processes.
• Ensure all IT systems and processes operate within established KPIs and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Secure alignment with other IT teams, including project management and architecture, to achieve seamless integration.

Communication & Reporting:

• Maintain clear communication on project status with stakeholders, including account managers, IT teams, and business leaders.
• Provide the applications team with functional support to ensure compliance with SLAs and maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Provide service delivery teams with insights on business applications needs and support core business processes.

Education & Special Training Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in a related field required, preferably in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science.
• Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), MBA, or a related discipline is preferred.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in business strategy and IS/IT management, with demonstrated expertise in leading strategy, change management, and supporting business functions.
• Strong knowledge of current and emerging industry technologies and ability to align IT strategies with these evolving landscapes.
• Proven dynamic and energetic leadership style, with an ability to engage and motivate teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and establish trust with business leadership, fostering collaboration to develop Group IT strategies and manage program portfolios.
• Skilled in developing mechanisms that ensure alignment with architecture and harmonization principles to support unified portfolios.
• At least 10 years of management experience in IT or related functions.
• Knowledgeable in strategy frameworks and experience with organizational transformation, including working with a service delivery model (segregated roles such as business analysis, technical architecture, project management, and business delivery leads).
• Experience with strategic sourcing and vendor management.
• Demonstrated expertise in business and systems transformation, involving large-scale projects and broad vision.
• Familiarity with the regulated application landscape within the life sciences sector, as well as current platforms and technologies.

Core Requirements & Competencies:

• Professional experience in IS/IT shared services is required.
• Strong understanding of systems interrelationships, with the ability to recommend improvements and develop comprehensive IS/IT strategies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in leadership, interpersonal communication, analytical thinking, and change management skills.
• Ability to inspire and lead large teams during periods of transformation and beyond, maintaining morale and engagement.
• Executive presence and an ability to interact effectively with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build relationships across functions and work within a global matrix organization, collaborating successfully with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.