Chief Applications Officer

The Chief Applications Officer (CAO) provides executive leadership for the strategy, governance, integration, and optimization of enterprise and clinical applications across the health system. This role ensures that all application portfolios including EHR, ERP, revenue cycle, population health, and digital health platforms are reliable, interoperable, and fully aligned with clinical and operational goals. The CAO serves as a trusted partner to IT, clinical, operational, and administrative leaders, driving innovation, user experience, and measurable outcomes through technology.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the enterprise applications roadmap supporting clinical, operational, and financial transformation.
• Oversee EHR and ERP optimization, integration, and standardization across hospitals and clinics.
• Partner with the CIO and CTO to align application strategy with infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data strategies.
• Establish application governance frameworks ensuring industry and and regulatory standards.
• Provide executive oversight for application lifecycle planning, upgrades, and vendor relationships.

Clinical and Enterprise Systems Management

• Lead system-wide management of major platforms including Oracle Health, PACS, ERP, and ServiceNow.
• Drive standardization and consolidation of redundant systems post-acquisition.
• Ensure applications meet clinical workflow needs and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with CMIO, CNIO, and VP of Nursing to optimize clinical workflows, documentation, and decision support tools.
• Lead application rationalization efforts to reduce complexity and improve ROI.

Innovation and Digital Transformation

• Advance digital health and patient-facing platforms (telehealth, patient portals, mobile engagement).
• Partner with the clinical leadership to drive interoperability and patient experience improvements.
• Leverage analytics and AI tools for operational insight, population health, and care coordination.
• Partner with CTO to evaluate and implement emerging technologies that enhance care delivery, access, and productivity.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure 24/7 availability and reliability of mission-critical systems.
• Establish KPIs and SLAs for application performance, response, and issue resolution.
• Oversee change management and release management processes to minimize disruption.
• Integrate application operations with ServiceNow for unified service management.
• Work with CTO to implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans for all major applications.

Leadership and People Development

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team including Application Directors, Managers, Business Analysts, and System Administrators.
• Build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Mentor future leaders and define career paths for technical and functional staff.
• Partner with HR and PMO to improve end-user training and adoption strategies.

Financial and Vendor Management

• Develop and manage an annual applications budget aligned with strategic priorities.
• Negotiate and manage enterprise vendor contracts, SLAs, and renewals.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through application rationalization, consolidation, automation, and licensing optimization.
• Participate in due diligence and integration planning for mergers and acquisitions.

Organizational Responsibilities

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Leadership Competencies

• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or Information Technology preferred.

Experience

• 12–15+ years in healthcare IT, with at least 7 years in senior leadership managing enterprise and clinical applications.
• Proven track record leading large-scale EHR or ERP deployments, optimizations, or integrations.
• Deep understanding of clinical, revenue cycle, and operational workflows.
• Experience leading teams across multi-hospital or regional healthcare systems.

Skills And Competencies

• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of EHR/EMR platforms, interoperability standards (FHIR, HL7), and healthcare data integration.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with clinicians and executives to align technology with care delivery.
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity principles.
• Expertise in vendor management, contract negotiation, and budgeting.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution.

Performance Metrics

• Uptime and performance of critical applications
• Project delivery timeliness and adoption rates
• Reduction in redundant systems and cost per application
• Integration success across newly acquired hospitals
• Compliance and audit readiness scores

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with occasional travel to health system sites.
• May require extended hours during major application implementations or upgrades.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.