Director, HMS Information Systems

The Director HMS Information Systems (IS) provides strategic direction, planning, implementation, and support for Information Systems solutions to enable effective administration of the Harvard Medical School, and for creating an information systems roadmaps for future Information Systems architecture to improve the efficiency of operations.

The Director is responsible for partnering with functional leaders; gaining an understanding the requirements and the systems that automate the processes for operating a complex medical research and teaching organization. The incumbent provides effective solutions to the faculty, students and staff users of these processes that reside at HMS and also across the Longwood Medical Area including affiliated hospitals and medical research institutes. Additionally, the director is responsible for building and leveraging strategic relationships within HMS IT, Harvard University IT peers and IT Vendors to accomplish goals.

The Director, Information Systems will lead HMS IS staff that perform systems development and implementation, and mentor and build a team to leverage new approaches to meet IT strategic goals, such as user-centered design, responsive design, mobile, and cloud solutions, with an emphasis on process optimization and quality of service.  In addition, the unit will maintain and sun-set legacy applications.
 
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
➢    Provide leadership and direction to the Information Systems team with a primary focus on Business Process Re-engineering and Production Software Application Portfolio Management.
➢    Direct strategic planning for enterprise application roadmap in collaboration with business unit leaders.
➢    Coordinate information systems evaluation and implementation projects according to HMS priorities and in alignment with the HMS and IT strategic plans. 
➢    Liaise with leadership across HMS to ensure that information systems meet current and future needs.
➢    Provide leadership in evaluation and redesign of business processes and system integrations; bring together the technical resources to work with the functional process owners to achieve optimized and desired outcomes.
➢    Provide leadership for the planning of software implementation projects in coordination with the IT Project Management Office to ensure products, and services meet functional requirements and are coordinated with other areas of IT and HUIT for centrally managed systems.
➢    Coordinate with the Data Architecture team on data integration and data visualization strategies and projects; support best practices to interface system data into a trusted data environment for strategic decision support.
➢    Coordinates closely with HMS leaders and data owners through the Data Governance Steering and Working Groups to ensure system implementations adhere to HMS data policies and best practices.
➢    Oversee and coordinate the HMS portfolio of production information systems and services, ensuring proper protocols for QA testing, upgrade, and release management is followed to ensure maximum uptime and productivity for system users.
➢    Evaluate and oversee Information systems support model in pursuit of process and productivity improvements, and growth opportunities for staff along the way.
➢    As a member of the HMS IT Leadership team, coordinate on IT Strategic Planning, technical integration project implementations, Information Security and Risk Management, and operational support strategies.
➢    Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

➢    Bachelor’s degree in a Technology, Information Systems, Analysis, Business or related field of study
➢    Minimum of seven (7) years of supervisory experience in a software application technology environment
➢    Prior experience with building and leading teams who tackle complex problems and perform broach technology implementations
➢    Experience with campus ERP systems and vendors such as Oracle financials/BI and Peoplesoft, or equivalent systems, and managing a Software Development Life Cycle
➢    Knowledge of enterprise application support and implementation best practices
➢    Broad-based leadership and general business management experience gained in a variety of assignments, functions, and business environments
    o    Ability to negotiate functional and technical contracts terms and services levels in coordination with legal/contracts review process
    o    Broad understanding of technology and technology evaluation techniques
    o    Analysis and creative problem-solving techniques
    o    Working knowledge of information security and best practices
    o    Demonstrated ability to stay current with technology trends and asses business value of solutions
➢    Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to share information effectively and confidently to internal and external audiences of varying levels of technical knowledge

Additional Qualifications

➢    Masters in technology leadership, business administration, related field is a plus
➢    Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and cultivate strong relationships and work effectively with diverse groups, including faculty and staff at Harvard Medical School and affiliated hospitals
➢    Demonstrated “can do” work ethic coupled with effective time management and ability to overcome ambiguously or under-defined problems, simplify and clarify objectives, and lead the team to successful outcomes
➢    High level of energy, determination, and perseverance, to act as an agent of change in a demanding organization
➢    Experience working at a medical school or demonstrated the ability to deliver results in an academic environment is a plus
➢    Familiarity with development in an open-source (LAMPS) development stack
➢    Agile, Lean and/or Facilitation certification is a plus

Additional Information

Harvard offers an outstanding benefits package including:
 
Time Off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
 
Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
 
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
 
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
 
Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
 
Wellness options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complementary health services.
 
Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.
 
 
The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.