Technical Director | Canada Wide Media Limited

Canada Wide Media connects great people with great content via print and digital publishing solutions. We currently seek a versatile, hands-on Technical Director who is well-versed in Drupal multisite development to join our growing team, providing leadership and influence in the evolution of our digital media business.

The right person will play a lead role in defining and implementing technical strategies internally and for our clients, as well as supporting and inspiring new business development during pitches and client engagements. The Technical Director will also oversee technical planning and development within our network of linked websites and associated digital products. Other duties include mentoring development team members, establishing effective working standards, and defining and maintaining internal project relationships with IT, creative, and business development teams.

As an experienced professional, your experience includes a background in software development, and you possess skill in directing and coordinating the activities of technology staff engaged in digital media services, development, testing, and applications support.

You have an in-depth knowledge of all web development methodologies and technologies including e-commerce solutions, the Drupal content management systems (CMS), Web 2.0 and social networking technologies. You have a strong vision for what needs to be done, and you're not afraid of hands-on work. You can apply your experience and insight to assist Canada Wide in becoming one of the most innovative digital publishers in Canada. Your experience in setting up and managing infrastructure including web servers, networks, and databases will be valuable, and your excellent presentation skills will be a plus in this often client-facing role.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Media, you will be responsible for ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional work in an environment where innovators can thrive.

Responsibilities include:
* Developing an annual strategy and tactical roadmap for the technical development of Canada Wide digital products (including sites, enewsletters, mobile)
* Playing a major role in establishing digital process standards that are adhered to by the design and development team
* Providing overall leadership and guidance for CWM digital products
* Partnering with vendors to understand product roadmaps, define future capabilities, and select new technology for the organization
* Creating, overseeing and ensuring timely delivery technical specifications and plans, and provide guidance to design and development staff
* Managing internal workgroups to review new technology proposed for use within the organization and collaborate with IT on processes and standards
* Providing mentoring, collaboration, and consulting with design and development staff and other internal technology and business groups
* Acting as an evangelist and lead change within the environment by working closely with peers in multiple organizations and on various committees and strategy groups

Required skills and qualifications include:
* Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology
* At least 10 years experience with development and coding with progressively increasing responsibilities
* Strong command of/experience in PHP, SQL, HTML, XHTML, CSS, Javascript, Apache, SQL Server/mySQL, XML, AJAX, jQuery
* Knowledge of Linux and Apache administration and configuration for delivery of web technologies
* Demonstrated expert level competency in establishing technology strategy and leading system design for Drupal CMS
* A broad understanding of content management systems (CMS), including experience in the Drupal CMS (Drupal module development experience, Drupal multisite design and configuration, and knowledge of best practices for Drupal system performance through configuration and caching methodologies)
* Experience with OpenX or similar ad serving software as integrated into the Drupal CMS
* Cross-platform experience, (web, mobile, desktop)
* User agents and user-interface delivery platform differences (OS/browsers/versions) including an understanding of workarounds for exceptions where standards are not followed
* A structured but pragmatic approach to software development methodologies (waterfall, agile scrum)
* Requirements definition / design definition / analysis and documentation methods
* Web standards and web accessibility awareness/understanding (W3C WAI)
* Proven leadership and/or management experience in an environment delivering digital solutions
* Demonstrated experience with creating and delivering ecommerce solutions (including knowledge of security requirements)
* Significant experience with all aspects of software development life cycle including planning, wireframing, specifications, QA/testing, version control, delivery and upgrading
* Superior communication skills (oral and written) and technical understanding to present complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
* Ability to listen to user communities and stakeholders and translate requirements into action
* Strong exposure to other disciplines and technology platforms including: SQL server, solution design and architecting, Java Frameworks/J2EE/JSR168(Portal/Portlets), Adobe Air, Silverlight, Flash

If interested in this role, please send a cover letter and CV to Shannon Emmerson (semmerson@canadawide.com).
www.canadawide.com