Manager, Digital Strategy, Product Management & Architecture at Halton Region

Halton Region is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value, welcome and respect the unique perspectives and contributions of all individuals. We encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples (First Nation, Métis, Inuit), Black and racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Accommodations are available at any point upon request for candidates participating in the selection process.

Through our digital strategy, the Region will deliver on its mission to be a Digital First organization, committed to delivering modern, accessible, high quality digital services to the residents of Halton and our employees.

Through collaboration, innovation, digital and information decision-making models, accountability, and partnerships, Halton Region aims to build a strong digital culture. There is no better time to join Halton Region.

As an employer of choice, working for Halton Region offer many great rewards:

• Defined benefit pension plan (OMERS).
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
• Employee Recognition Program.
• Supportive culture with ongoing wellness program promoting health, fitness and well-being.
• Hybrid work arrangements including flexibility and better work-life balance for our employees. This position is eligible for our Hybrid Work Program.

Posting ID: 4795
Department: Digital & Information Services
Division: Digital Strategy
Pay Range: $130,631 - $163,276
Job Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Work Location: Halton Regional Centre - 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
Employee Group: MMSG
Posting Date: December 3, 2025
Application Deadline: December 17, 2025

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Digital Strategy, this role is accountable for establishing a consistent Product Management methodology across the product lifecycle from concept to launch, iteration and as needed retirement. The Region’s core platforms (SAP, M365 and Salesforce) and strategic applications (Yardi, Workforce, ArcGIS, POSSE LMS and Infor Public Sector) are currently in scope for product management. The scope will be reviewed and potentially extended to other strategic applications. As Manager, you will lead a team of Product Managers to define, develop, and deliver products that align with the Region of Halton’s Digital Strategy and business needs. The Manager works closely with the Business Relationship and Transformation and Operations teams and owns the product assessment, vision and roadmap for continuous improvement. This role will also oversee a developing enterprise architecture discipline and collaborate with the operations and cybersecurity teams to align technical considerations, target enterprise architecture and principles and decision-making framework.

Duties & Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Vision

• Define, communicate and evolve the product vision to meet the needs of the organization, informed by customer feedback, high-level requirements, usage data, platform goals and in alignment with the Region’s Digital Strategy
• Prioritize and manage the product roadmaps to ensure timely and high-quality delivery and in alignment with digital strategy
• Prioritize product investments, balancing customer value, business impact, development and licensing costs, sustainability and technical feasibility in roadmap decisions
• Ensure product management methodology and individual product roadmaps consider “security by design,’ user-experience and accessibility up-front
• Own the product lifecycle, guide the development, launch and continuous improvement of products and be up to date on vendor product developments and features
• Define success metrics, ensure each product or feature has measurable KPIs (e.g. adoption, retention, customer satisfaction, cost per transaction, etc.)
• Act as the voice of the product team in executive conversations, ensure shared understanding across departments and lead or support key governance tables

Product Planning & Execution

• Own the product roadmap and back-log across teams, ensuring prioritization is data-informed and stakeholder aligned
• Work closely with Transformation and Operations teams to deliver high quality, timely releases
• Oversee the planning and execution of multiple products and balance competing priorities, technical constraints and strategy goals
• Contribute to broader planning by analyzing market trends, emerging technologies, customer feedback and competitive landscape to identify new opportunities and improvements
• Ensure product managers are balancing short-term execution with long-term goals

Additional Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Grow and build a high performing team of product managers and architects building capabilities across areas of expertise
• Encourage and facilitate cooperation and collaboration while inspiring, motivating and guiding team members
• Model behaviors and mindsets that support the organization’s values.
• Manage and mentor product managers and architects supporting them in growing their skills, making decisions and taking ownership of their domains
• Set performance expectations, create structured career progression paths and provide coaching
• Provide guidance on best practices from concept through launch and into post-release refinement and lifecycle management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion and innovation within the product team and department
• Foster a culture of product experimentation, using research and feedback to make informed decisions
• Build capacity in understanding user problems and critically assess feature requests and requirements

Operational Excellence

• Create product management processes, standards and define how roadmaps are created, updated, decisions are made and feedback is integrated
• Ensure teams are using product management methodology effectively
• Develop enterprise architecture roles and collaborate to align technical and product roadmap
• Use analytics, user feedback, and KPIs to guide product decisions and improvements
• Support experimentation and continuous learning

Other Key Duties

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner cross functionally within IT (Transformation, Operations, Business Relationship Management and Cybersecurity teams) and other stakeholders to ensure feedback loops, ensuring we are prioritizing the features that deliver the most value to the business and product success
• Build trust with stakeholders; solicit information on enterprise direction, goals and strategy to determine how the Product Management function can add value to the organization and to customer satisfaction
• Oversee Product Steering Committees led by individual Product Managers to focus on product governance including budget resource planning and ensure consistency across products and oversees Product Community of Practice meetings, led by individual Product Managers, to promote best practice sharing across the corporation and ensure consistency across products
• Make decisions and recommendations clearly linked to the organization’s strategy and financial goals, reflecting an awareness of external dynamics
• Identifies frameworks, best practices, governance structure and methods to support the team to deliver value effectively and consistently
• Advocate for voice of the customer throughout the product development process

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related studies, or equivalent related project experience.
• Product Management certification or equivalent business experience is an asset
• Project, Change and Business Relationship Management certifications are assets
• 8+ years’ experience in product management with proven record of creating high quality digital experiences through the delivery of products and features that drive value
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle
• Familiarity with modern product management tools and methodology
• 3+ years’ experience in people management/leadership
• Deep functional and technical knowledge of the capabilities of core platforms
• Visionary thinker to guide team toward long term value
• Analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable with leveraging data to make informed decisions and present cost-benefit frameworks

Further Role Requirements

• Technical proficiency in IT architecture and frameworks is an asset
• Ability to foster cooperative and collaborative working relationships to engage stakeholders along a journey to achieve outcomes
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to develop and communicate the strategic vision and inspire and motivate staff.
• Effective influencing and negotiation skills in an environment where resources are often not in direct control of this role.
• Strong business acumen, including industry, domain-specific knowledge of the enterprise and its business units.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain IT concepts and technologies to business leaders

Important information about your application:

• In accordance with requirements in Ontario Regulation 191/11 – Integrated Accessibility Standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Halton Region will accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition representative of the nature of the accommodation(s) you require.
• Please submit your application online. We will accommodate individual needs for applicants with disabilities and others who are not able to apply online. If you experience any issues with submitting your application, please contact HR Access at 905-825-6000 extension 7700.
• Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date specified on the posting.
• We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.
• Personal information collected through the job application process will only be used for the purpose of determining qualifications for employment.
• If selected for an interview, you will be contacted by email and/or phone. Please ensure the contact information provided on your resume is up to date and that you check your email and voicemail regularly.

Halton Region serves more than 650,000 residents throughout Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. We are committed to delivering high-quality programs and services that make Halton a great place to live and work. We engage great people who contribute to meaningful work that makes a positive difference in our community. At Halton, you are encouraged to grow and succeed in your career and are recognized for your accomplishments and contributions. As an employee, you will be part of a progressive, service-focused, and award-winning employer with a diverse and inclusive work environment.

INDO