IT Team Lead – Infrastructure, Networking and Cybersecurity

Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons in Quebec City. Originally a dry goods store, the family company is known today for accessible and inspired fashion. It is committed to cultivating creativity and building meaningful relationships with its staff, partners, and clientele. The company cares about the environment and about the communities in which it does business.

Simons is recognized as a fashion authority with an original shopping concept. Exclusive collections, emerging local and nationally recognized brands, and pieces by top designer names are all available under one roof in the store’s distinctive zones.

Reporting to the Director, Solution Architecture and Software Engineering, the Team Lead, Infrastructure, Networks & Cybersecurity Operations oversees and coordinates the technical teams responsible for networks, servers, storage, data centers, telecommunications, VoIP services, and the operational implementation of selected cybersecurity solutions. 

This person is responsible for ensuring the availability, resilience, performance, and evolution of the critical infrastructure services that support the organization’s operations. This role also owns the planning and execution of the annual roadmap for deployments, updates, upgrades, replacements, and maintenance activities affecting infrastructure, networking, and cybersecurity components under their responsibility. 

As a leader, the Team Lead engages and develops team members, enhances technical capabilities, and fosters a culture of accountability, rigor, collaboration, documentation, and continuous improvement. 

The successful candidate works closely with other IT departments, cybersecurity teams, application teams, enterprise architects, business stakeholders, as well as external vendors and technology partners. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Lead, coach, and engage the team responsible for infrastructure, networks, servers, storage, telecommunications, and VoIP services. 

• Plan, assign, and monitor team activities, priorities, and responsibilities. 

• Support employee development through coaching, mentoring, and performance management. 

• Identify training needs and promote technical skill development, knowledge sharing, and succession planning. 

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the organization’s technology infrastructure. 

• Ensure the availability, stability, capacity, resilience, and performance of critical infrastructure services. 

• Coordinate preventive, corrective, and evolutionary maintenance activities. 

• Develop and maintain an annual roadmap for deployments, updates, upgrades, technology refreshes, replacements, and renewals. 

• Plan maintenance and deployment schedules while considering critical business operating periods. 

• Monitor technology lifecycles, end-of-life equipment, obsolete software versions, and obsolescence risks. 

• Oversee the management and evolution of network technologies, including Cisco environments. 

• Ensure the performance and availability of wired and wireless networks. 

• Oversee telecommunications services, VoIP platforms, data centers, servers, storage systems, and related environments. 

• Coordinate the installation and evolution of structured cabling in accordance with established standards and practices. 

• Implement and maintain cybersecurity controls and protective measures applicable to infrastructure and network environments. 

• Participate in business continuity, disaster recovery, resilience, and incident response activities. 

• Coordinate technology changes, ensuring they are properly analyzed, documented, tested, and approved prior to implementation. 

• Oversee major incident management, root cause analyses, and corrective action plans. 

• Manage operational relationships with vendors, systems integrators, and technology partners. 

• Monitor vendor deliverables, timelines, service levels, and contractual commitments. 

• Promote knowledge transfer from external vendors to internal resources. 

• Collaborate with other IT teams and business units to ensure alignment of priorities, projects, and technology roadmaps. 

• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date documentation of environments, procedures, inventories, and support plans. 

• Define and monitor key metrics related to service availability, performance, capacity, and quality. 

• Contribute to the preparation and management of operating and capital budgets related to infrastructure and external services. 

• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and continuous improvement. 

Desired Profile 

• College diploma in Computer Science or a bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline. 

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in technology infrastructure, networking, or IT operations. 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading, supervising, or coordinating a technical team. 

• Significant experience managing networks, servers, storage, data centers, telecommunications, and VoIP services. 

• Strong knowledge of Cisco technologies and wired/wireless networking environments. 

• Experience planning technology upgrades, deployments, and lifecycle management initiatives. 

• Experience managing vendors, systems integrators, and technology partners. 

• Experience implementing cybersecurity controls in infrastructure and network environments. 

• Experience in a distributed, transactional, or retail environment is considered a strong asset. 

• Relevant certifications such as Cisco, Microsoft, Red Hat, ITIL, or equivalent are considered an asset. 

Required Competencies 

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities. 

• High level of rigor, attention to detail, and a methodical approach. 

• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and responsibility. 

• Excellent planning, organizational, and coordination skills. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. 

• Ability to anticipate risks and future technology needs. 

• Results-oriented mindset with a strong focus on quality and operational continuity. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and critical activities simultaneously. 

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills. 

• Ability to work effectively with IT teams, business stakeholders, and external vendors. 

• Ability to thrive in a complex, fast-paced, and evolving environment. 

• Bilingualism (French and English), both spoken and written, to interact with vendors and leverage technical documentation and tools. 

Benefits 

• Telemedicine services and an Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).  

• Comprehensive group insurance plan and Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP).  

• Up to 40% employee discount on purchases at Simons.  

• Fully equipped fitness center with locker rooms and kinesiology services.  

• On-site cafeteria offering a wide variety of affordable meal options.  

• And much more...

At Simons, people are at the heart of all that we do. We pay special attention to the well-being of our employees and their families, highlighting important moments that mark their journey, including service anniversaries and significant life milestones.

Creativity, community, and respect are an integral part of our DNA. We offer everyone the opportunity to build a career that’s suited to them, whether that’s at our stores, head office, or Campus in Quebec City. Proud to recognize our teams’ contributions, we provide competitive work conditions as well as a comprehensive and scalable range of benefits. We also promote flexibility and a welcoming, inclusive, and caring work environment, where everybody can reach their full potential.

Take this opportunity to join our dedicated team and make a difference at a company where people are the top priority.