Director of Technology

Hightop Health is seeking a Director of Technology to own all aspects of the company's technology, including IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data and reporting platforms, EHR and software administration, vendor and MSP management, technology compliance (HIPAA/HITRUST), and budgeting.

This is a hands-on working leadership role. As the company's sole internal technology resource initially, the Director will work closely with the CFO, COO, and Operations leadership to manage and hold accountable the external vendors and MSPs who handle infrastructure, help desk, security, and network support, while directly owning and executing responsibilities that fall outside that managed coverage - including EHR and software platform administration, data and reporting infrastructure, compliance programs, and strategic technology initiatives. The expectation is that this person can and will do real work across all technology domains and will build out the Company's internal technology function over time as the organization scales through organic growth and acquisition.

The Director will act as the central point of accountability for all aspects of the company's technology, and technology operations, ensuring investments, vendor performance, security initiatives, compliance programs, and operational priorities are aligned with organizational goals and monitored for performance.

Position reports to Chief Financial & Administrative Officer and has no direct reports initially.

Primary Responsibilities

IT Governance & Strategic Oversight

• Establish and maintain enterprise technology governance processes.

• Develop and maintain technology policies, standards, and operating procedures.
• Align technology initiatives with organizational and operational and financial goals.
• Lead technology planning discussions with executive leadership.
• Maintain multi-year technology roadmaps.
• Provide recommendations on technology investments and strategic priorities, including expected ROIs and plans to measure against expectations.
• Establish accountability across technology functions and service providers.

Vendor Management & Service Governance

Serve as the primary relationship manager for all technology service providers including but not limited to:

• Managing MSP relationships and determining insourcing vs. outsourcing capabilities and timing based on company's objectives and financial feasibility.

• Managing Company's Electronic Health Record system (Athena), including serving as primary contact with vendor and liaison between vendor and business on capabilities and operations.
• Coordinating vendor responsibilities and service ownership.
• Leading vendor performance reviews and quarterly business reviews.
• Monitoring service delivery and escalation management.
• Evaluating vendor contracts, renewals, and service agreements.
• Ensuring accountability for technology outcomes across vendors.
• Eliminating service gaps and overlapping responsibilities.

Technology Program & Project Leadership

Provide direction, coordination and oversight of major technology initiatives including:

• New location openings.

• Acquisitions and integrations.
• Telephony and communications projects.
• Security initiatives.
• Infrastructure upgrades.
• Software implementations.
• Compliance-related initiatives.
• Enterprise technology improvements.
• Development of data strategy and build of appropriate data repository to aggregate company data from multiple platforms for centralized access by business intelligence tools (Power BI).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Defining project objectives.

• Managing budgets and timelines.
• Coordinating vendors and stakeholders.
• Tracking risks and dependencies.
• Reporting project status to executive leadership.

Compliance, Security & Risk Management

Provide governance and oversight for all technology, privacy and security compliance to ensure programs are maintained and properly coordinated across all vendors and stakeholders:

• HIPAA compliance including SOC2 Type 2 readiness/certifications and any HITRUST initiatives.

• Security governance including policy development and enforcement
• Vendor risk management.
• Audit preparation and coordination.
• Incident response governance.
• Cybersecurity awareness initiatives.

Budgeting & Financial Management

Own technology financial planning and oversight including:

• Work with finance to develop annual technology budget and reforecasts.

• Capital expenditure planning.
• Technology project budgeting and ROI analysis/monitoring
• Vendor contract review and cost management.
• Monthly recurring technology expense oversight.
• Software licensing review.
• Cost forecasting and reporting.

Executive Leadership & Communication

Act as the bridge between executive leadership and technology providers including:

• Translating technical recommendations and facilitating decision-making on all technology investments.

• Presenting technology risks and opportunities to leadership.
• Developing executive-level reporting and dashboards including ROI on technology projects and initiatives.
• Providing recommendations regarding vendor performance, technology strategy, compliance, and operational priorities.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in healthcare technology leadership, healthcare technology operations, or related roles. Physician practice and/or behavioral health experience highly desired.

• Deep expertise with Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms (Athena Health highly preferred) including integrations with related platforms including SFDC, PowerBI, etc.
• Experience managing MSPs, technology vendors, and third-party service providers.
• Strong understanding of IT governance, cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance frameworks in multi-location organizations
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and rapid growth environments.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365, endpoint management, cybersecurity programs, telecommunications, and cloud technologies.
• Experience with HIPAA-regulated environments including SOC2 Type 2 and HITRUST.
• Experience managing technology budgets and vendor contracts.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Willingness and ability to be hands-on and personally execute across technology domains as needed, particularly in the near term as the Company's internal technology function is built out. This role requires someone comfortable doing real work, not just directing others or managing vendors.
• Ability to balance multiple competing demands while balancing operational needs, compliance requirements, financial objectives, and strategic priorities.
• PMP, ITIL, CISSP, CGEIT, CRISC, or related certifications.

About Hightop Health:

Hightop Health is the premier outpatient mental health group committed to setting the standard for what better mental health care looks like. Hightop Health's Centers of Excellence offer cutting-edge research, advanced treatment options, and industry-leading expertise, setting the standard for superior mental health care. Our mission is to change lives with comprehensive, evidence-based, integrated mental health care, while creating an inspiring and innovative workplace culture that is both clinician-centric and patient outcome-driven. We believe everyone deserves access to mental health care that works-provided by top-tier clinicians who truly care-and treatment plans as unique as our patients, even for the most challenging conditions.

HTH is founded on the principles of evidence-based medical practices, measurement-driven care, and simultaneous treatment of the mind and body. Our Integrative Psychiatry approach intercalates lifestyle medicine with cutting-edge biological and psychological interventions. We measure patient outcomes and modify individualized treatment plans based on data. We believe we have created an environment in which psychiatric physicians can practice the best psychiatry possible while the business aspects of practice are managed by the interdisciplinary team.

For more information: