Director, Radiation Oncology Technology Strategy

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Technology Strategy and Solutions for Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and management of technology solutions and platforms that support the clinical, operational, and research needs of our esteemed Radiation Oncology department. This role requires a deep understanding of radiation oncology workflows, advanced technology platforms, and the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team to drive innovation, efficiency, and high-quality care.

This pivotal role, within the Information Services/Digital department, reports directly to the Vice President (VP) of Hospital Technology Solutions and Operations. As a vital resource for the VP of Radiation Oncology, this position plays a critical role in developing, executing, and fostering the initialization and continuous enhancement of advanced technology platforms that support our industry-leading Radiation Oncology department, as the Institute transitions into a new strategic collaborative partnership.

The Director will be responsible for steering the strategic planning and successful deployment of innovative products that are aligned with the operational needs and growth plans of the Radiation Oncology department, related partners, and the overarching goals of the Institute. This role will play an instrumental part in DFCI’s evolving needs of the organization, including leading the technology strategy and execution of new partnership collaborations and anticipated future hospital expansions.

In this role, you will build a team to shape, migrate, and implement Dana-Farber’s Radiation Oncology department’s technology environment under a new clinical collaboration through a combination of vendor products, partnerships, and internally developed solutions. As an experienced leader, you will lead the team to implement use-case driven capabilities to provision enhanced, high-quality, safe patient care while supporting transformative innovation opportunities, including areas of mobile tools, deep analytics, process automation, and novel applications of AI. This senior-level position will require exceptional leadership skills, effective strategy development, and strong technical acumen, and will be effective in building collaborative partnerships at all levels internally and externally, including senior executives, faculty, operational leaders, and business domain experts.

The ideal candidate will possess a passion for improving the clinician, administrative, and patient experience through technology and have extensive experience in leading implementations and teams in a highly matrixed environment to support the dynamic field of healthcare.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds and design programs to promote public health, particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the VP of Radiation Oncology and other Radiation Oncology leaders to develop a clear product and technology strategy and vision, aligning the product roadmap and product goals with the overall Institute goals, market trends, and various client needs.
• Oversee the evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of technology solutions and platforms to enhance clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and research capabilities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, clinicians, researchers, and IT teams to identify technology needs and opportunities for innovation.
• Ensure the team supports the key IT department, Radiation Oncology, and broader Institute performance indicators (KPIs), identifies operational risks, and provides mitigation strategies.
• Develop the team resource strategy and assess the strategic value of utilizing outsourced staff or managed service partnerships for specific talent needs.
• Provide domain expertise into the evaluation of strategic clinical services collaborations and partnerships that include technology oversight or delivery for the department.

Functional Leadership:

• Oversee the management and maintenance of radiation oncology technology platforms, including Oncology Information System (OIS), treatment planning systems, imaging systems, electronic health records (EHR), and other specialized software and hardware.
• Ensure the integration and interoperability of various technology systems to streamline workflows and improve data accessibility and accuracy.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of technology solutions, implementing improvements and upgrades as necessary.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of technology professionals, including system administrators, software developers, data analysts, and support staff.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages continuous learning and professional growth.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and successful completion of technology projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Utilize project management methodologies to manage resources, timelines, and stakeholder expectations effectively.
• Ensure all technology solutions and platforms comply with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies, including HIPAA and other relevant data protection regulations.
• Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive patient data and maintain the integrity of technology systems.
• Establish enterprise application and product management best practices and share these methods with other peer leaders.
• Ensure the planning and development of consistent and reliable go-live strategies and processes to enable seamless delivery of new solutions and features to the research community.
• Demonstrate comprehensive judgment in setting work priorities and planning workload amid changing priorities and unplanned activities or disruptions.
• Handle emergent situations calmly, requiring minimal direction from leadership, possessing the ability to adapt and learn quickly.

IDE&E/Social Responsibilities:

• Utilizes Dana-Farber Cancer Institute values to govern decisions, actions, and behaviors.
• Demonstrates, strengthens, and embeds inclusive behaviors, and holds team and leaders accountable for the same.
• Invests in understanding diverse stakeholder cultures, motivations, and practices to enable consensus-based solutions.

Human Resources Management Responsibilities:

• Responsible for employment decisions. Receives input from direct reports on staffing needs and builds business cases for adding FTEs where appropriate.
• Fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment that attracts top talent and encourages professional growth.
• Teaches/coaches management and leadership skills to develop staff members' skills and foster their career development.
• Provides superior leadership skills to lead digital transformation – often under stressful conditions and with limited resources.

Financial Responsibilities:

• Acts as a responsible steward of DFCI financial resources. Consistently complies with DFCI IS and Radiation Oncology department spending and accounting policies.
• Develops operating and capital budget portfolios for leadership approval, including partnership services agreements and charge-back funding.
• Ensures the efficient and effective use of team and departmental resources.

Communications/Interpersonal Responsibilities:

• Communicates consistently and proactively with senior level stakeholders and collaborators.
• Ensures all department teams provide regular project communication updates through various means: progress reports, status updates at steering committee meetings, departmental updates, etc.
• Communicates maintenance needs and required or recommended upgrades that impact the technology ecosystem and coordinates resources and dependencies across team, department, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates collaborative leadership and fosters inspiration and leadership to team, group, and collaborators.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Proficiency in radiation oncology technology platforms, EHR systems, data management, and cybersecurity.
• Ability to think strategically and proactively to make informed decisions about product direction based on client needs, available funding & resources, and alignment with Institute goals.
• Expert at presenting results persuasively and accurately, verbally or in writing, and in delivering both positive and challenging news.
• Works effectively, collaboratively, and proactively across teams and groups, and institutionally.
• Understanding of the technology development cycle: Requirements, Design, Development, Testing, Go-live planning, and execution.
• Demonstrated understanding and adherence to the organization’s IS change management policies and procedures; plans work, dependencies, and communicates expectations to stakeholders accordingly.
• Exceptional leadership skills: strategic thinker with orientation for action and results, creative, responsive, able to plan and execute effectively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels and business units across the organization.
• Exhibits curiosity and eagerness to learn about others’ work, needs and perspectives and to develop deep knowledge of client areas served.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, professionalism, agility, a strong work ethic, appropriate humility, and the ability to lead through challenging situations.
• Strong knowledge of ambulatory clinic and operational practices and dependencies.
• Strong negotiation skills including the ability to influence others with different skill sets, backgrounds, and levels for whom they have no formal authority.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others and engage appropriate resources, experts, and leaders internal and external to the organization.
• Excellent organizational, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with cross-functional teams, including leaders and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Strong creative problem-solving and conflict management skills at all levels.
• Works with a high degree of flexibility and fluidity – adaptable to changing environment and priorities with the ability to manage and shift resources effectively through the changes.
• Fosters a customer-centric and service-oriented team culture.
• Leads a team through problem evaluation and/or opportunity assessment and facilitates appropriate and timely recommendations and/or decisions.
• Develops and communicates strategic and tactical plans and prioritizes and organizes to meet deadlines.
• Effectively manages resources, time, prioritizes work, and multi-tasks across operational and project demands.
• Actively fosters staff development through feedback and mentoring.
• Proficient in leveraging Microsoft Office applications and collaboration tools (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams, Zoom).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises permanent and temporary/contract staff in a mixed environment of hybrid and remote work.
• Leads cross-functional teams (both direct and indirect reports) via matrix and/or vendor partnerships.

PATIENT CONTACT:

• Travel to patient care areas for support or collaboration with clinical department. No direct patient contact.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, ideally in a STEM or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in managing information systems in a large healthcare organization required.
• Prior experience in planning, strategy, project management, negotiation, and organizational skills, with the demonstrated ability to drive teams on multiple concurrent projects and operational support in a complex environment preferred.
• Prior staff management experience, preferably supporting Radiation Oncology or related clinical area preferred.
• Prior experience leading and developing a multidisciplinary team, managing complex projects, and driving strategic initiatives preferred.
• Proficiency in radiation oncology technology platforms, EHR systems, data management, and cybersecurity.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries, and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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