Director of IT - Engineering

Position Summary:

• Leads a technology team by expertise of the industry trends and new technologies for the systems and security.
• Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Goals are generally communicated in strategic or project goal terms. Provides leadership for the department through knowledge in the area of specialization and general leadership/management skills.
• Partners with other business units to align technology with the needs of the business to streamline operations or provide additional capabilities.
• Provides advanced technical skills to assist Engineers with projects and advancing skills.

Location:

• Olathe, KS

Schedule:

• Hybrid; 3 days in office, 2 days at home

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred in technology related field

Experience:

• 10 years + or more in technology
• 5 years + supervising staff or department

Certification/Licensure:

• At least 21 years old
• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Auto Insurance
• Preferred Technology Certifications including Microsoft Certified Azure and Hybrid, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA

Preferred Experience/Skills:

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of security frameworks and controls
• Experience with SIEM, EDR, and security automation tools
• Knowledge of cloud security architecture and controls
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
• Running, interpreting and remediating penetration testing
• Familiar with all aspects of technology to identify security issues and run projects

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Crisis management and decision-making under pressure

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Duties

• Provide respectful and inclusive leadership to employees regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnic background, or veteran status.
• Practice conduct that displays respect for all KVC colleagues and community stakeholders regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, or veteran status.

Leadership & Management

• Lead and mentor a team of IT engineers, architects, and technical staff
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings to provide coaching, feedback, and career development opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-functional team collaboration to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables.
• Organize technical workshops and training sessions to enhance team skills and knowledge.
• Develop strategic technology roadmaps aligned with business objectives
• Conduct regular reviews of business goals to identify technology needs.
• Create short-term and long-term technology plans, considering emerging trends and competitive landscape.
• Manage department budgets, resource allocation, and staffing
• Develop annual budgets with detailed expense forecasting for personnel, tools, and projects.
• Monitor spending against budget and adjust resource allocations as priorities shift.
• Design workforce plans, including hiring strategies and succession planning.
• Establish performance metrics and conduct regular team evaluations
• Develop KPIs for technical team productivity and project success.
• Implement performance management systems, including peer reviews and 360-degree feedback.
• Drive technical innovation and process improvements
• Host brainstorming sessions to explore innovative solutions to operational challenges.
• Establish a continuous improvement culture by implementing agile and lean methodologies.

Technical Responsibilities

• Oversee enterprise architecture and infrastructure design
• Design and maintain a blueprint for technology solutions that align with organizational goals.
• Ensure integration and compatibility across all IT systems and platforms.
• Guide technology selection and implementation strategies
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate new technology investments.
• Develop proof-of-concept (POC) initiatives to validate potential technology solutions.
• Ensure system reliability, scalability, and security
• Monitor system performance and implement proactive measures to minimize downtime.
• Plan for future scalability by regularly assessing system capacity and user demands.
• Direct disaster recovery and business continuity planning
• Develop and regularly test disaster recovery procedures to ensure rapid response.
• Maintain updated business continuity plans aligned with organizational risk assessments.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies
• Attend industry conferences and maintain relationships with tech leaders to stay informed about advancements.
• Pilot and adopt technologies that can streamline operations or enhance capabilities. Project Management
• Prioritize and coordinate multiple IT initiatives
• Use project management tools to track tasks, dependencies, and deadlines across initiatives.
• Conduct regular project prioritization meetings with stakeholders to ensure alignment. Oversee major technology implementations and upgrades
• Develop detailed implementation plans, including timelines, milestones, and risk assessments.
• Coordinate testing and deployment phases to minimize disruption.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts
• Negotiate contract terms, including SLAs and licensing agreements.
• Regularly evaluate vendor performance against agreed deliverables.
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, and deliverables
• Use dashboards and reporting tools to provide real-time updates on project health.
• Conduct post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and process improvements.
• Ensure proper documentation of systems and processes
• Create and maintain a centralized repository for system architecture, configurations, and workflows.
• Establish guidelines for version control and document updates.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
• Develop policies and procedures that align with regulatory standards.
• Train staff on compliance requirements and monitor adherence.
• Oversee modifications and additions based on recommendations of security team
• Review security assessments and approve necessary updates to mitigate risks.
• Plan and budget for upgrades or modifications to meet compliance needs.
• Oversee security audits and risk assessments
• Partner with third-party auditors to conduct regular security reviews.
• Develop action plans to address findings from risk assessments.
• Stay current with security threats and mitigation strategies
• Subscribe to cybersecurity feeds and attend relevant seminars/webinars.
• Implement proactive measures, such as penetration testing and real-time threat detection tools.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with technology leadership and business unit leadership on technology strategy
• Host quarterly strategy meetings to align on priorities and resource allocation.
• Create joint action plans that tie IT goals to business objectives.
• Present technical proposals and status updates to leadership
• Prepare executive-level presentations summarizing project status, risks, and ROI.
• Use visual aids, such as dashboards, to clearly convey technical data.
• Partner with business units to understand technology needs
• Conduct needs assessments to identify pain points and technology gaps.
• Develop tailored IT solutions that address specific business challenges.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and partners
• Establish regular check-ins with vendors to monitor service quality.
• Collaborate with partners on co-development initiatives or shared goals.
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Use simplified language and visual examples to explain technical solutions.
• Develop user-friendly guides and FAQs for non-technical users.

Join us:

• Join KVC Health Systems and take your IT career to the next level while helping children and families thrive. This is your chance to combine your technical expertise with a meaningful purpose.
• Make an Impact: Be part of a mission-driven organization that transforms lives through child welfare and behavioral healthcare.
• Work with Advanced Technology: Gain hands-on experience with AI, Microsoft 365, Electronic Health Records, Virtual Reality, advanced storage arrays, cloud-based software, and more.
• Lead and Innovate: Guide a talented technical team in designing and implementing cutting-edge systems while solving complex IT challenges.
• Grow Your Career: Develop your expertise in a dynamic environment that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Apply today and be part of something truly impactful!
• We're an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.