Chief Information Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will lead and manage the technology strategy and infrastructure for Empower Healthcare Solutions, LLC (Empower). Empower is a Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE), that serves Medicaid clients with complex behavioral health, developmental or intellectual disabilities for the State of Arkansas. This executive role is responsible for the overall direction, management, and execution of information technology and infrastructure initiatives, ensuring they align with the company’s business objectives and regulatory requirements. The CIO will drive digital transformation, oversee data security, and optimize IT operations to support the growth and efficiency of the organization.

The CIO must demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills, particularly in managing a predominantly remote workforce. This role requires building cohesive, high-performing teams in a virtual environment, fostering communication, and ensuring alignment across distributed teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic IT Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy that supports the company’s business goals and enhances operational efficiency.
• Drive innovation in IT systems, processes, and infrastructure, ensuring the organization remains competitive and compliant with industry standards.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify and prioritize technology initiatives that will deliver business value and support strategic objectives.
• Keep current with trends and issues in the IT industry, including current and evolving technologies

Digital Transformation:

• Lead the digital transformation efforts, including the adoption of new technologies, to improve customer experience, streamline operations, and enhance data analytics capabilities.
• Oversee the implementation of digital health and telemedicine platforms, electronic health records (EHR) and other system integrations, federal interoperability standards, and other digital health initiatives.

IT Governance & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance of IT activities with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA, HITECH, MARSOX and other relevant federal and state regulations.
• Establish IT policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that safeguard sensitive data and ensure system integrity.

Data Security & Risk Management:

• Develop and implement robust cybersecurity strategies to protect against threats and ensure data privacy and security.
• Manage incident response activities to ensure timely investigations and ongoing remediation as necessary
• Oversee risk management practices, including disaster recovery and business continuity planning.

Technology Infrastructure Management:

• Manage the IT infrastructure, including network systems, applications, databases, and hardware, to ensure reliability, scalability, and performance.
• Optimize the IT support services to ensure a high level of user satisfaction and efficient issue resolution.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and mentor a team of IT, database management, and analyst professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration.
• Demonstrate leadership in managing a predominantly remote workforce by building strong virtual teams, ensuring effective communication, and utilizing collaboration tools to maintain team engagement and productivity.
• Identify talent needs, develop succession plans, and ensure the professional growth of the IT team.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management:

• Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers, ensuring effective procurement, implementation, and operations of IT solutions.
• Serve as a liaison between the IT department and other business units, ensuring effective communication and alignment on technology projects.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. A master’s degree in IT Management, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in IT management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within the healthcare insurance or healthcare sector.
• Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of healthcare regulations (e.g., HIPAA), health information systems, and insurance industry technology needs.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proven track record in managing complex IT projects and driving digital transformation.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Preferred Certifications:

• Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Vision
• Digital Innovation
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership