Director, Forward Deployed Engineering

Sanford Health•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

The Director of Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) leads small, high‑impact teams that work side‑by‑side with clinical and operational partners to turn AI, digital tools, and emerging technologies into efficient workflows. This is a hands‑on leadership role for a builder and collaborator who enjoys shaping ideas into real, production‑ready solutions that improve care delivery and operations. Guide complex, ambiguous initiatives from concept through adoption, partnering closely with clinical, operational, and IT leaders to ensure quality, scalability, and smooth transitions to steady‑state teams. Responsible for the direction, coordination, planning, budgeting and oversight of all activities related to the department. Leads the implementation, operation, and maintenance of all components of the applications to support IT customers, and to achieve established objectives, promote quality, and drive business value in compliance with internal and external policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems (MIS), business, or a related field.
Minimum five years' experience in management required.

Nice To Haves

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Directs and manages the delivery of large or complex projects.
Works closely with appropriate IT governing bodies and other IT leaders to ensure high quality service deliver and ongoing support.
Partners with operational leaders within and beyond IT to identify, assess, and prioritize meaningful opportunities to use applications within departmental settings, and to develop the people, processes, and technologies to achieve that objective.
Provides culture direction and ensures the adoption of established culture.
Communicates with IT department and Management.
Monitors prompt response and support for technical issues.
Ensures high standards and quality of technical work.
Directs reviews of tools and technologies for improving performance and reducing costs.
Responsible for developing metrics and accountabilities for the department functions.
Coordinates and manages the strategy for multiple locations as they share job functions.
Actively leads efforts to improve systems, processes and contracts that result in top performance.
Understands and aligns with the strategic vision and executional priorities.
Collaborates with the leadership team.
Responsible for the interviewing, hiring, discipline of employees and any other personnel issues that arise.
Completes performance appraisals.
Handles day-to-day operations, while focusing on the broader view including strategic growth, best in class operational practices, and advocating for new technologies.
Delivers high customer satisfaction and retention of profitable business through formal reports, and data analytics.
Leads resolution across all areas within the operation organization.
Responsible for oversight of vendor management, contracts, and support agreements.
Responsible for statement of work review related to project leadership.
Determines performance objectives/metrics and defines tools to measure progress and ensure consistent achievement of business objectives.
Directs, motivates, develops and manages the performance of management team and key staff.
Creates opportunities for individuals to exercise and grow new skills.
Demonstrates the ability to provide strong leadership that mentors, develops and guides.
Committed to growth including personal and professional development and life-long learning.
Attends mandatory educational requirements as directed by the organization.
Must have excellent presentation and communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and analytical skills necessary to develop policies, plans and goals.
Able to work with growth and development needs.
Strong negotiation and marketing skills are necessary.
Able to balance multiple complex projects and deadlines by determining critical issues, timelines, and priorities.
Knowledge of current clinical practice, regulatory healthcare requirements, and healthcare information systems.