The Food is Medicine Institute, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, B
Posted: 01-Oct-25
Location: Tumwater, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: $112,752 - $151,620 annually
Internal Number: DOH8716
Lead the technology that powers public health for all Washingtonians - Our mission is to protect and improve the health of every person in Washington. Behind that mission is a vast network of technology, powering vital records, immunization systems, licensing, disease tracking, and more.
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of IT Applications & Data Services to guide the strategy, leadership, and operations of the systems that make this work possible. This is a high-impact executive role where your leadership will directly shape the future of public health technology in Washington.
Why you’ll love this role:
- Mission-driven leadership: Your work ensures the reliability and security of systems that serve millions of residents and thousands of public health professionals every day.
- Enterprise scale: Lead a team of nearly 80 IT professionals managing more than 400 mission-critical applications, databases, and cloud platforms.
- Strategic influence: Partner with the CIO, Deputy CIO, and executive leadership to drive innovation, policy, and long-term technology investment.
- Innovation in action: Oversee application development, cloud services, data analytics, and quality assurance — building modern, future-ready solutions.
- Statewide collaboration: Represent DOH in statewide IT initiatives and help shape standards that extend beyond the agency.
This role is more than IT leadership, it’s a chance to leave a lasting impact on public health across Washington. From supporting newborn screenings to maintaining disease surveillance systems, the applications and data services you direct will safeguard the health of our communities and support equity in care for every resident.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide vision and strategic direction for the agency’s enterprise applications, cloud development, and data services.
- Lead and mentor IT managers, supervisors, and staff, building a culture of engagement, innovation, and accountability.
- Ensure mission-critical systems are reliable, secure, and meet the evolving needs of DOH programs and external partners.
- Oversee quality assurance testing, database management, and application development to deliver secure, scalable, and effective solutions.
- Manage budgets and contracts for multimillion-dollar IT services, ensuring efficient use of resources and compliance with funding requirements.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and key partner to senior leadership, aligning technology strategies with public health goals.
- Anticipate future needs, champion innovation, and guide the adoption of emerging technologies to support the agency’s mission.
The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking IT leader who combines technical expertise with strong people leadership. You know how to set strategy, solve complex problems with data and creativity, and build systems that are reliable, secure, and innovative. You communicate clearly across diverse audiences, foster inclusive partnerships, and create a culture where staff feel empowered, supported, and motivated to deliver. Above all, you are driven by equity and impact, using technology to strengthen public health and improve the lives of Washington residents.
We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Option 1: Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: project management, application or systems development, data administration, business analysis, or IT security.
- Option 2: A Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, Information Technology or closely related field and eight (8) or more years of experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: project management, application or systems development, data administration, business analysis, or IT security.
- Option 3: A Master’s Degree or higher in computer science, Information Technology or closely related field and a six (6) or more years of experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: project management, application or systems development, data administration, business analysis, or IT security.
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:
- 5 years in an IT manager or senior leadership role overseeing enterprise-scale systems.
- Experience in leading enterprise-scale IT programs, including application development, cloud-based solutions, database administration, and quality assurance testing.
- Experience in managing multi-million-dollar IT operating and capital budgets.
- Knowledge of enterprise IT architecture, cloud technologies (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), and modern application development practices.
- Awareness of state and/or federal IT policies, standards, and governance frameworks.
- Experience in contract management, vendor negotiations, and performance monitoring.
- Proficient in developing IT policies, processes, and technical standards for enterprise adoption.
- Experience strategic planning, policy development, and technology road mapping.
- Experience managing IT services in a matrixed, multi-program environment.
- Experience providing senior-level leadership, direction, and decision-making under pressure, including during system outages or cybersecurity incidents.
- Proficient in communicating complex technical information clearly to executive leaders, policymakers, and non-technical staff.
- Experience collaborating with diverse teams and invested partners, aligning technology solutions with business needs.