Head of Software Strategy & Growth

Grow Your Career with Us!

Celebrating our 21st anniversary this year, H2Safety Services Inc. is Canadas largest provider of emergency response management services and solutions. Our team of industry-leading experts delivers comprehensive, tailored emergency management services, emergency response training, and technology services to companies throughout Canada, North America, and around the world. By continuously investing in our people and world-class technology, we ensure the highest level of protection and compliance for our clients, stakeholders, and the environment.
In June 2025, H2Safety became a part of SGS, the worlds leading testing, inspection, and certification company - and a world leader in sustainability. As part of SGS, H2Safety is working towards globally advancing operational safety, digital transformation, and ESG performance across industries, including oil and gas, mining, transportation, utilities, renewables, and government. Our success and approach are deeply rooted in building authentic relationships and addressing community concerns transparently, allowing us to also excel in Indigenous and government relations.

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Head of Software, who will be responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and operational oversight of H2s software business. This role will ensure that H2s software offerings are technically robust, market-relevant, and aligned with the companys overall objectives. The successful candidate will manage software sales and business development efforts, oversee product development direction and oversee the software teams operations to drive innovation, scalability, and revenue growth. This role requires a leader who can bridge the gap between technology and business, ensuring the companys software solutions are both technically sound and commercially successful.

Key Responsibilities

Business Planning & Financial Accountability

• Develop, implement, and manage the annual departmental business plan in alignment with corporate objectives and targets established by the Board of Directors (BOD).
• The business plan must include:
  • Revenue forecasts (monthly and annual): Collaborate closely with Finance and Sales to ensure accuracy and attainment. Responsible for monitoring and addressing any variances to the approved revenue plan.
  • Expense forecasts (monthly and annual): Manage departmental spending against approved budgets and revenue performance. Implement proactive measures to correct deviations.
  • Profitability / Operating Ratio (monthly and annual): Ensure optimal profit margins through balanced cost control, pricing strategies, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and manage initiative-specific business plans (e.g., new product development, product and process improvements, commercialization efforts). Track performance against milestones and ROI targets.
• Maximize SR&ED and other funding opportunities by ensuring eligible development efforts are properly documented and claimed as part of the departmental business plan.
• Align departmental staffing to meet the needs of approved business and initiative plans. Resource levels and skill sets must support strategic objectivesnot vice versa. Proactively identify gaps and make recommendations to ensure the department remains capable of delivering on plan commitments.

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth
Define and execute the software strategy in alignment with H2s broader business objectives.
Own the financial performance of H2s software division, including forecasting, margin optimization, and ROI on development and commercialization initiatives.
Develop go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and sales approaches to drive software adoption and revenue growth.
Identify new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and potential acquisitions to strengthen H2s software business.
Represent H2s software solutions at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to enhance brand recognition and business development efforts.

Regularly meet with existing and prospective clients to better understand their needs and priorities.
Work closely with internal teams to ensure seamless integration of software into H2s broader service offerings, including training, emergency management, and compliance solutions.
Work with development teams to manage the full lifecycle of H2s software products, from concept to development, commercialization, and market expansion.

Technical Oversight & Product Development
Establish and oversee formal product management processes, including roadmap governance, release planning, and lifecycle management to ensure alignment between development priorities and market demands.
Work with the development team to ensure that development best practices are balanced between business goals and software maintainability.

Collaborate with the software development team to ensure delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure applications.
Oversee the technical roadmap, prioritizing features based on customer needs, market trends, and business impact.
Lead the identification and implementation of AI-driven automation opportunities to improve system intelligence, predictive capabilities, and customer value.
Ensure compliance with Emergency Management/ICS standards, product management best practices, and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate to ensure adherence to SOC II and data residency requirements, working closely with IT, the development team and security partners to maintain continuous compliance across environments.
Drive the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI and real-time data analytics, to enhance software capabilities.
Maintain strong alignment between software development and customer needs by incorporating direct client feedback into product development cycles.

Operational Excellence & Team Leadership
Lead and mentor a team of software developers and sales professionals to achieve business goals.
Establish and refine processes for gathering and tracking client feedback, prioritization, support, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Sales, Training, and Emergency Management teams, to align software solutions with client needs.
Ensure robust customer support and training programs for software users.
Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and operational KPIs to optimize performance and profitability.
Champion integration of H2s software platforms with internal systems and other business units, ensuring unified data flow and consistent client experience across ERP, GIS, and Field operations.
Create and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and growth of H2s software business.
Build and execute a talent development and succession plan for the software organization, ensuring key roles and competencies are in place to support future growth.

Qualifications & Experience
Required:

• 10+ years of experience in software development, product management.
• 5-10 years of experience in business leadership roles within a technology-driven organization.
• Strong understanding of software business models, including SaaS, enterprise solutions, and B2B sales.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, expand market share, and lead sales strategies for software solutions.
• Experience managing technical teams, product development lifecycles, and customer engagement initiatives.
• Strong grasp of software development methodologies, cloud platforms (preferably Microsoft Azure), and cybersecurity best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with ESRI or other GIS systems.
• Experience managing Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) claims, including documentation and compliance with tax incentive programs.

Preferred:
Experience leading SaaS business unit strategy, including pricing models, customer success, and renewal management.
Experience developing and executing partnership strategies with third-party technology vendors or integrators.
Experience with Incident Command System (ICS) and/or Emergency Management (EM) software applications.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements in the oil & gas, energy, or public safety sectors.
Exposure to AI-driven analytics and real-time data solutions.
Familiarity with SOC II compliance, particularly for software services.
Exposure to mergers and acquisitions involving software assets.
Demonstrated success in developing and executing software sales strategies, particularly in industrial and regulatory environments.

Your Total Rewards:
Generous paid time off
Comprehensive health care plan
Company matching RRSP program
Annual performance bonus
Professional development subsidies
Employee referral incentive
Flexible start/finish times

Apply Now:
If this role sounds exciting and you're ready to make an impact, we invite you to apply and join our dynamic team at H2Safety. As a valued member of our company, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside industry-leading experts, contribute to cutting-edge projects, and play a crucial role in enhancing the safety and efficiency of emergency response management.

Explore job opportunities at an organization leading the way in safeguarding people and the planet. We look forward to hearing from you!