IT Strategy & Governance Lead

Job description

**We’re not just behavioral health people—we’re crisis people.** Connections Health Solutions is a leading provider of immediate-access behavioral health crisis care. Our team combines medical and recovery-oriented treatment to stabilize individuals in crisis and connect them to community-based resources for ongoing recovery. Founded by emergency room psychiatrists Dr. Chris Carson and Dr. Robert Williamson, our model is physician-led and data-driven, drawing upon more than 15 years of crisis care expertise. Recognized by SAMHSA and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as a national best practice, we’ve delivered invaluable treatment to hundreds of thousands of individuals facing crises. Our commitment remains consistent, to improve access, inspire hope, and provide the right support. Our values shape our decisions, define our culture, and foster continuous learning and growth. We accept people as they are, creating safe spaces where they feel valued and respected. We inspire hope by walking with people side-by-side, showing them grace and compassion. We act with intention, holding ourselves and each other accountable, and doing the right thing. We work as one team, trusting and supporting each other. We embrace change and innovation, striving to find better ways to fulfill our mission. We are on a mission to change the face of behavioral health. Help us save lives and make a difference. **This is a fully remote position in these states:** **AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI** **What You'll Do:** Connections Health Solutions is a fast-growing behavioral health company operating across multiple states. We are in the middle of a significant technology transformation: building the data infrastructure, security posture, and AI-enabled clinical tools that will define how the company scales over the next five years. The IT organization is moving from reactive operations to a disciplined, strategy-driven function, and this hire is central to that shift. The IT Strategy & Governance Lead is the VP of IT's primary strategic partner and organizational right hand. The person in this seat works at the intersection of strategy, governance, and execution, ensuring the right priorities are in motion, the right people are aligned. This role is designed as a career accelerant for an exceptional early-career professional. You will have direct, daily exposure to executive decision-making, enterprise governance, organizational transformation, and a live technology strategy agenda. The VP of IT will serve as an active mentor and sponsor. **Executive Partnership & Leadership Enablement** - Serve as the primary thought partner and strategic advisor to the VP of IT: the first call when something is unclear and the person who keeps the VP focused on highest-impact work. - Own preparation of executive communications, board materials, leadership updates, and SLT-facing presentations. - Drive follow-through on strategic commitments, turning VP decisions into assigned actions with owners, timelines, and accountability checkpoints. - Conduct research, analysis, and scenario planning to support leadership decision-making. - Manage the VP's strategic priorities and help ensure time and energy are allocated to highest-impact work. **IT Governance & Strategic Planning** - Own the operating rhythm of IT governance, including intake prioritization, portfolio reviews, governance committee preparation, and executive reporting cadence. - Support annual and long-range technology planning, including initiative scoping, resource alignment, and budget inputs. - Develop and maintain governance frameworks that improve transparency, accountability, and decision quality across the IT organization. - Ensure alignment between IT initiatives, organizational objectives, available resources, and compliance requirements (including HITRUST and HIPAA). - Drive continuous improvement of departmental planning, reporting, and performance management processes. **IT Portfolio Visibility & Risk Management** - Maintain current, accurate visibility across the enterprise IT portfolio, including clinical systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, AI, and operational initiatives. - Monitor portfolio health, dependencies, resource constraints, and key milestones; surface risks before they become escalations. - Ensure leadership has the information needed to make timely, confident decisions about portfolio priorities and capacity. - Facilitate portfolio review meetings and executive steering committees. **Cross-Functional Coordination & Organizational Alignment** - Act as the primary coordination point between IT and organizational partners, including Operations, Clinical Services, Finance, Compliance, and HR. - Resolve competing priorities, clarify ownership, and drive alignment across teams with different incentives and timelines. - Coordinate planning and execution for enterprise initiatives with significant IT involvement. - Build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. **Organizational Effectiveness & Special Initiatives** - Identify and close gaps in operational maturity, including decision-making, governance, communication, and execution across IT. - Develop management systems that improve visibility into priorities, commitments, and outcomes. - Lead or coordinate high-priority strategic initiatives sponsored by IT leadership. - Support organizational transformation and change management efforts across the IT function. - Performs all other duties as assigned. **What You'll Bring:** - Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field. - Experience in technology strategy, management consulting, strategic planning, governance, program management, or related discipline. Demonstrated record of performance in fast-paced, high-stakes environments are encouraged to apply. - Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and drive alignment across teams without direct authority. - Strong executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and deliver it clearly to senior audiences. - High capacity for ambiguity; able to bring structure to unstructured problems and act without complete information. - **The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment** **It would be great if you had:** - Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, or related field) from a recognized program. - Advanced experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, healthcare policy, investment analysis, or a high-performance operational environment. - Experience within healthcare or another highly regulated industry. - Familiarity with IT governance, portfolio management, PMO functions, or executive operations. **What We Offer:** Full-time only: - Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity - CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability - Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families - Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan) - Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care) - 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation) - Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays - Company‑paid parental leave available to eligible employees All employees (Pool, Part-time and Full-time): - Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support - After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan ## **EEO Statement** Connections Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants. **Recruitment Fraud Warning** Connections Health Solutions has been made aware of individuals impersonating our recruiters and issuing fraudulent interview invitations and job offers. Please note: - Official communications come only from an email address ending in **@connectionshs.com**. - We will never extend an offer without completing our formal interview process. - We will never ask candidates to pay fees, purchase equipment, or send money as part of the hiring process. If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent Connections Health Solutions, please contact [myRecruiter@connectionshs.com](mailto:myRecruiter@connectionshs.com) to verify its authenticity before responding.