Application Portfolio & Governance Analyst - Job Opportunity at CAAT Pension Plan

Toronto, Canada
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 9, 2025
Hybrid
CAD 70,000 - 85,000 annually based on Toronto market rates for mid-level application portfolio analysts in financial services, with potential for higher compensation given CAAT's competitive positioning and comprehensive benefits package

Benefits

Comprehensive wellness program with physical, mental, and financial wellness components providing holistic employee care beyond standard market offerings
Flexible work arrangements enabling work-life balance and productivity optimization
Defined benefit pension plan offering superior retirement security compared to typical employer RRSP matching programs
Comprehensive benefits package providing extensive coverage and financial protection
Professional development opportunities with endless learning and skill mastery programs supporting career advancement
Award-winning workplace culture recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures and Greater Toronto's Top Employers

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive application portfolio assessments to drive organizational efficiency by identifying redundancies, inefficiencies, and consolidation opportunities that directly impact operational costs and performance
Establish and maintain governance frameworks for application portfolio management, ensuring strategic alignment and data integrity across enterprise systems
Partner with business units as a strategic advisor to understand application requirements and ensure portfolio alignment with organizational objectives and growth initiatives
Collaborate with Business Architects to map applications against business capabilities, enabling strategic technology planning and digital transformation initiatives
Develop and maintain comprehensive application inventory systems that serve as the foundation for enterprise technology decision-making and lifecycle management
Analyze application performance metrics and user feedback to drive data-driven recommendations for system enhancements or retirement, directly impacting user experience and operational efficiency
Lead cross-functional collaboration with IT and finance teams to optimize application costs and budget allocations while ensuring regulatory compliance and security standards
Present strategic recommendations and portfolio status reports to senior management, influencing enterprise-level technology investment decisions
Drive innovation by monitoring emerging technology trends and assessing their strategic impact on current and future organizational solutions
Champion organizational change management initiatives and support enterprise-wide transformation efforts within assigned areas of responsibility

Requirements

Education

College diploma or bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, business administration, or a related field

Experience

A minimum of 2 – 5 years of proven experience in application portfolio management, IT asset management, or a similar role, preferably within the financial services industry

Required Skills

Highly proficient with the Microsoft suite of applications: Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Visio, SharePoint Experience with enterprise architecture tools such as Ardoq, Orbus, Avolution, Sparx, BizzDesign, or ServiceNow Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data Strong leadership qualities and project/task management skills Comfortable working with cross-functional teams Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Knowledge of application lifecycle management and IT governance frameworks
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Digital transformation acceleration in pension and financial services is driving increased demand for application portfolio optimization specialists who can streamline technology landscapes and reduce operational complexity. Organizations are prioritizing portfolio rationalization to eliminate redundant systems and improve efficiency. Enterprise architecture governance is becoming increasingly critical as organizations face growing regulatory requirements and cybersecurity threats, particularly in the financial services sector where data protection and compliance are paramount business concerns. Cloud migration initiatives and application modernization efforts are creating significant opportunities for professionals who can assess legacy systems, recommend strategic technology investments, and guide organizations through complex digital transformation journeys.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a 5-8 person enterprise architecture or IT governance team, collaborating across multiple business units and serving as a key liaison between technical and business stakeholders
Mid-level individual contributor role with significant strategic influence on enterprise technology decisions and direct access to senior management for portfolio recommendations and organizational transformation initiatives

Key Projects

Enterprise application rationalization initiatives targeting 20-30% portfolio reduction and cost optimization Digital transformation roadmap development for pension administration and member services systems Regulatory compliance technology assessments ensuring adherence to financial services regulations and data protection requirements Business capability mapping projects aligning technology investments with strategic organizational objectives

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions that resonate with senior executives and drive strategic decision-making across the organization Strong stakeholder management skills to navigate competing priorities between business units while maintaining focus on enterprise-wide optimization and strategic alignment Data-driven analytical approach combined with business acumen to identify cost reduction opportunities and efficiency improvements that directly impact organizational performance Change management capabilities to guide organizations through technology transformation while minimizing disruption to critical business operations and member services

Market Demand

High demand driven by widespread digital transformation initiatives across Canadian financial services and pension management sectors, with limited supply of professionals combining technical architecture knowledge with business strategy expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Enterprise architecture tool proficiency is essential as organizations increasingly rely on sophisticated modeling and documentation platforms to manage complex application landscapes and support strategic decision-making processes. These tools enable portfolio visualization, impact analysis, and stakeholder communication that are fundamental to role success. Strong analytical and data interpretation skills are crucial for identifying optimization opportunities, quantifying business impact, and presenting compelling recommendations to senior leadership. The ability to transform complex technical data into actionable business insights directly determines the strategic value delivered to the organization. Cross-functional collaboration capabilities are vital given the role's requirement to work effectively with business units, IT teams, finance departments, and senior management. Success depends on building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups with competing priorities and varying levels of technical expertise.

Beneficial Skills

Financial services industry knowledge provides valuable context for understanding regulatory requirements, risk management considerations, and business operational complexities that influence technology portfolio decisions in pension and benefits administration environments Project management certification or formal training would enhance ability to lead portfolio optimization initiatives and coordinate complex cross-functional projects involving multiple business units and external vendors Cloud architecture and modern application development understanding would support strategic recommendations for application modernization and digital transformation initiatives that are increasingly important for organizational competitiveness

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to impact retirement security for thousands of Canadians while working for one of the country's most respected pension organizations with a mission-driven culture focused on meaningful societal contribution
Exposure to complex multi-employer pension administration challenges that provide unique learning opportunities in financial services technology and regulatory compliance across diverse industry sectors
Direct involvement in strategic technology decisions for a rapidly growing organization, offering accelerated professional development and increased responsibility compared to typical corporate environments
Access to comprehensive professional development programs and wellness initiatives that exceed standard market offerings, supporting both career advancement and personal well-being

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior roles within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of the position and direct exposure to enterprise-level decision-making processes

Potential Next Roles

Senior Application Portfolio Manager with expanded responsibility for enterprise architecture strategy and vendor relationship management Business Architecture Lead focusing on capability mapping and strategic technology planning across multiple business domains IT Governance Manager overseeing enterprise-wide technology standards, policies, and compliance frameworks Digital Transformation Manager leading large-scale organizational change initiatives and technology modernization programs

Company Overview

CAAT Pension Plan

CAAT Pension Plan represents one of Canada's fastest-growing and most innovative pension organizations, serving hundreds of employers across education institutions, major corporations, and household brands. The organization has established itself as a leader in retirement security solutions with a strong focus on member service excellence and organizational growth.

Recognized industry leader in Canadian pension management with award-winning corporate culture and consistent recognition as a top employer, positioning the organization as an employer of choice in the competitive financial services talent market
Toronto-based organization with significant influence across Canadian pension and benefits landscape, offering exposure to major corporate clients and complex multi-employer pension administration challenges
High-performance, collaborative environment emphasizing innovation, professional development, and meaningful work impact, with strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives that create an engaging workplace experience
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