Manager, Business Applications

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), our Manager, Business Applications combines application management and oversight with hands-on execution, ensuring technology solutions deliver measurable business value. Our Manager is responsible for overseeing and supporting all business applications while providing leadership across all IT projects.

This role emphasizes building strong, collaborative partnerships with business units to understand their objectives and challenges, then translating those needs into technology-driven solutions that deliver measurable business value. Our Manager will act as a trusted advisor, guiding stakeholders in leveraging technology to improve processes, enhance efficiency, and achieve strategic goals. In addition, the role requires exceptional leadership in vendor management—establishing clear expectations and ensuring external partners consistently meet performance standards and deliver on commitments.

This is a hands-on role that requires adaptability, technical proficiency, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Our Manager must be prepared to step in and provide direct support for business applications when necessary, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. Travel Alberta’s application ecosystem is predominantly SaaS-based, which means the role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of these solutions—from selection and implementation to optimization and ongoing performance management.

Key responsibilities include monitoring system health, troubleshooting complex issues, and coordinating with vendors to resolve problems quickly and effectively. Our Manager will also ensure seamless integration between business applications, maintain data integrity, and implement best practices for security and compliance. Beyond day-to-day operations, this role will drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging automation and emerging technologies to enhance system reliability, scalability, and user experience across the organization.

Our Manager will also be responsible for supporting, maintaining, and continuously optimizing Travel Alberta’s business intelligence (BI) platform. This includes working closely with the Planning and Performance team to provide the data and analytical capabilities they need to measure outcomes, track key performance indicators, and inform strategic decision-making.

Additionally, our Manager will lead Business Application projects from initiation to completion, establishing strong governance structures to ensure compliance, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities. This includes implementing project management best practices, monitoring progress, mitigating risks, and keeping all stakeholders informed through clear and timely communication.

Key Responsibilities

Application Management:

• Oversee the management and optimization of Travel Alberta’s SaaS-based business application ecosystem.

• Ensure applications are integrated, secure, and aligned with business needs.

• Provide hands-on support when necessary to troubleshoot and resolve application issues.
  
  Project Management:

• Provide oversight of business application projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.

• Implement governance structures and project management best practices.

• Monitor progress, manage risks, and ensure timely delivery of IT projects.
  
  Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, ensuring accountability and performance.

• Monitor adherence to service-level agreements (SLAs).
  
  People Leadership:

• Mentor and coach team members to build a high-performing team.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
  
  Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise application management, IT operations, or related roles.

• 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and external partners.
  
  Technical Skills:

• Proven track record working on or leading IT projects, including governance and stakeholder communication.

• Strong background in vendor management and performance oversight.

• Hands-on experience supporting SaaS-based applications and ensuring their integration and optimization.

• Familiarity with business intelligence platforms and how they enable data-driven decision-making.

• Strong ability to understand and interpret AI concepts, tools, and applications.

• Strong understanding of IT governance frameworks, compliance, and risk management.

• Proven experience in business analysis and translating business requirements into effective technology solutions.

• Proficiency in project management methodologies (PMP or Agile certifications are an asset).

• Experience managing budgets, licenses, and technology procurement.

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach when needed.

• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to build strong relationships across business units.

• Experience with ITIL or similar service management frameworks for structured incident and change management.

• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and experience implementing security controls in SaaS environments.

• Understanding of change management (e.g., PROSCI) to support organizational adoption of new technologies.

• Financial acumen for managing technology budgets and cost optimization strategies.

• Experience in vendor selection and RFP processes, especially for enterprise SaaS solutions.
  
  Problem Solving:

• Ability to analyze complex issues and develop practical, innovative solutions.

• Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous situations while balancing strategic and operational priorities.
  
  Communication Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Skilled at stakeholder engagement and building consensus across diverse teams.
  
  Additional Requirements:

• Familiarity with Alberta’s tourism industry is an asset.
  
  *We kindly thank all agency partners, we will NOT require support to fill this role. We kindly request no phone calls nor emails*