Data Specialist

Location: Toronto, ON, On-site
Language: English, exceptional written and spoken communication required
Duration: 16-month contract

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About the Opportunity

Altis Recruitment is partnering with a leading post-secondary institution to identify a senior technology leader for a high-impact strategic mandate within a complex academic and research environment. This opportunity is ideal for someone who combines deep research computing expertise with strong leadership, modernization, and stakeholder management capabilities.

Working closely with executive leadership, faculty IT teams, research services, security partners, and cross-campus technology groups, you will help shape the future of digital research infrastructure. Your work will influence secure computing, AI and machine learning adoption, cloud modernization, data management, and scalable research technology services that empower faculty researchers and academic innovation.

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What’s in it for You

This role offers the rare chance to influence enterprise-level research technology strategy within one of Canada’s most dynamic academic ecosystems. You will lead exploratory and modernization initiatives across emerging technologies, secure computing, AI, and research infrastructure, while partnering with senior institutional leaders and diverse technical teams.

You’ll gain visibility across strategic planning, policy development, research enablement, and sustainable support models in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and long-term impact.

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Your Responsibilities

• You’ll lead discovery initiatives to assess and inventory the research computing landscape, identifying long-term modernization opportunities.
• In this role, you’ll develop strategic roadmaps for secure research infrastructure, cloud adoption, HPC, storage, and scalable computing solutions.
• You’ll partner with security, IT, and research stakeholders to strengthen risk frameworks, compliance readiness, and secure computing standards.
• You’ll guide technology assessments related to AI, machine learning, analytics, LLMs, and sustainability-focused innovation.
• You’ll establish support models, intake frameworks, documentation standards, and service delivery approaches for research technology initiatives.
• You’ll provide executive-level reporting, budgeting input, business cases, and progress updates to leadership and governance committees.

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Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in research computing, enterprise IT strategy, or advanced technology leadership roles.
• Graduate degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Library Science, or a related field, combined with relevant certifications such as ITIL, PMP, CISSP, or equivalent.
• Proven expertise in designing and supporting advanced research computing architectures, including cloud, storage, HPC, and secure environments.
• Strong background in security frameworks, compliance standards, risk management, and audit-ready operational models.
• Experience driving change management, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration across complex stakeholder groups.
• Technical depth across Unix/Linux, Windows, virtualization, networking, databases, open-source tools, and enterprise storage systems.
• Familiarity with grant-funded research environments and faculty research support models is considered a strong asset.

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Why Partner with Altis

If you’ve never worked with a staffing agency before, we make it easy. We work with top employers across Canada who have great jobs to fill, each vetted and verified by our team. When you apply for a job with Altis, we get to know you as a candidate and learn what your strengths are. Then, if you’re a solid match, we handle all the logistics, advocating for you as a candidate for the role, providing access to coaching and connecting you directly with the hiring manager. And rest assured, all our services are free of cost for candidates.

We appreciate the time and effort all applicants invest in their submissions. Please note that only candidates shortlisted for this role will be contacted directly. However, your profile will remain under consideration for future opportunities that align with your experience and career goals. All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities including those who identify as women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require an accommodation, please review our accessibility policy and reach out to our accessibility officer with any questions. Our human recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. On occasion, we also use AI-assisted tools to help review applications.