The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) invites firms to submit a Proposal for the following: The supply of one (1) full-time resource to perform the role of an IT Operations Consultant for an initial period of two (2) years with an irrevocable option to extend up to two (2) additional periods of six (6) months each, to lead and manage a number of high profile initiatives that will advance the implementation of the target state IT Operating Model (ITOM), build foundational IT capabilities, and support the delivery of strategic project initiatives related to the WCB's IT risk mitigation portfolio.
Description of Services
The WCB will require the Contractor to supply the IT Operations Consultant on a full-time basis [thirty-six and a quarter (36.25) hours per week] to lead several high-profile initiatives which will include, but not be limited to, the following:
a) Oversee the implementation of the ITOM (service-optimized); monitor progress and address known gaps in IT maturity, capabilities, and operating effectiveness;
b) Establish foundational IT processes (i.e. ITOM based on prioritized gaps to better fulfill business expectations and ensure a higher level of IT efficiency);
c) Plan and execute IT organizational structure and functional design enhancements based on target state model, new/updated role definitions, and evolving business requirements;
d) Lead job description development and/or modification of IT roles; facilitate stakeholder review (HR, Joint Job Evaluation Committee) and support the management team on talent acquisition and recruitment;
e) Track and report divisional headcount against approved workforce plan and in alignment with organizational priorities and strategic initiatives;
f) Monitor overall IT capacity utilization and recommend optimization opportunities to increase elasticity of the IT workforce to balance "run" vs "grow" needs of the business;
g) Support collaboration, communication, and engagement improvements through coaching, mentoring, and upskilling of internal IT staff and the leadership team;
h) Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Technology Officer on IT strategy, priority initiatives, service improvements, and optimization opportunities throughout the engagement;
i) Oversee the planning and implementation of foundational technology capabilities including cloud, integration, and data work streams by providing guidance, monitoring progress, and addressing issues or risks that arise;
j) Support the implementation and execution of the WCB's cloud strategy and roadmap initiatives including Microsoft Azure landing zone, cloud operating model, production readiness, cloud suitability assessment, and associated pilot migrations;
k) Perform in a senior leadership role to oversee a portfolio of complex IT risk mitigation initiatives leading a cross-functional team to ensure successful delivery;
l) Oversee the WCB's modern workplace enablement of MS Office 365 including Exchange Online and SharePoint migrations, as well as OneDrive and MS Teams implementation;
m) Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify and prioritize IT project/portfolio requirements and deliverables;
n) Support the IT risk mitigation portfolio governance, project integration, and dependency management across multiple work streams;
o) Manage project/portfolio risks and issues, providing regular updates to executives and senior leadership, as required;
p) Manage and track IT resourcing needs across the portfolio of initiatives including staff augmentation and procurement of external services to achieve desired outcomes;
q) Build and maintain strong relationships with external vendors and external stakeholders involved in project delivery across the portfolio of initiatives; and
r) Coach and mentor IT project teams to execute at expected levels of competency as well as monitor performance against expected outcomes.
The Services shall normally be performed during Business Hours. However, the WCB may request some of the Services to be performed outside Business Hours from time to time, as deemed necessary, in the unfettered discretion of the WCB. The Contractor shall not be entitled to charge overtime rates unless specified in the Fee Schedule.
The IT Operations Consultant must have demonstrated experience and knowledge with the following:
a) Senior level IT executive (director or above) experience in workers compensation or insurance industry, responsible for critical IT operations, end user services, and IT service management;
b) Hands on experience with ITOM patterns including design and implementation of "Pattern Three–Service Optimizing Operating Model";
c) Leading functional IT organization design, and defining new/modified roles and associated job descriptions to align with the new ITOM in collaboration with key stakeholders (i.e. human resources);
d) IT capability development and process improvement experience in a complex public sector environment;
e) Senior IT leadership and governance experience in the delivery of complex multi-year projects/portfolios including technology remediation and change initiatives;
f) Azure Cloud infrastructure enablement, migration and operational management oversight experience;
g) Modern workplace technology enablement and operational management experience including Office 365 delivery, Exchange Online, and SharePoint migrations, as well as OneDrive and MS Teams implementation; and
h) Ability to coach and develop
The IT Operations Consultant should have demonstrated experience and knowledge with the following (which may be considered an asset when evaluating Proposals):
a) Strategic vendor management experience including supplier governance and negotiations;
b) Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
c) Experience with Project Management Institute (PMI®) methodology and best practices including Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification;
d) Ability to manage competing demands, multiple priorities, and changes in direction seamlessly; and
e) Excellent communication, consultation, and mediation skills to address complex and sensitive issues.
The Proposal should include an overview of the proposed resource(s) being offered as well as a description of their experience performing similar projects. Vendors are expected to provide the following for each proposed resource:
a) Resource's name and identify any subcontractor relationship (i.e. if individual resource is not an employee of the Vendor);
b) Completed skills matrix identifying resource's skills and experience;
c) Ability to start on WCB's preferred start date or later date of availability; and
d) Resume of resource.
Final selection of a resource may be subject to an in-person, telephone, or video conference interview by the WCB.
The Contractor will not be required to have and maintain workers compensation coverage for its workers who will be providing the Services, unless required pursuant to The Workers Compensation Act.
The Services can be provided remotely with a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) up to fifty percent (50%) of the time required onsite at the WCB's facilities located at 333/363 Broadway in Winnipeg, Manitoba, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
It is expected the Services will be required for an initial period of two (2) years with a preferred start date of December 9, 2024. The WCB shall have an irrevocable option to further extend the Services on the same terms and conditions and fees for two (2) additional periods of up to six (6) months each.
Vendors are strongly encouraged to provide a skills matrix for each resource that is being offered for the IT Operations Consultant. The WCB may use the skills matrix, in addition to the Vendor's general information, and resume of the proposed resources(s), as an additional tool to evaluate the suitability of a resource for the IT Operations Consultant position.
