Senior Director, Delivery & Operations, Public Health Technology

Altarum’s Public Health Technology division builds and operates the data systems that state health departments rely on to protect their communities — disease surveillance, vital records, health data exchange, and data quality infrastructure. We are a nonprofit with deep expertise, trusted government relationships, and a portfolio of work that directly impacts public health outcomes.

We are looking for a Senior Director, Delivery & Operations to lead our state project portfolio. This is a leadership role at an inflection point — the division is growing, the market opportunity is significant, and the right person will have real ownership over how we deliver, how we scale, and how we develop our team. You will report to the Vice President of Public Health Technology and serve on the division’s leadership team.

This is not a purely strategic role — this is a hands-on role, and you will be deeply involved in execution, delivery oversight, and operational decision-making.

You will manage delivery managers, engineers, analysts, and project managers while setting the operating rhythm for a multimillion-dollar portfolio of government health IT contracts. You will be the senior relationship owner for state clients and will be expected to grow those relationships through exceptional delivery and trusted partnership. If you’re the kind of leader who enjoys building and scaling in fast-moving, evolving environments, this could be a great fit.

What You'll Do:
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Own contribution margin performance across the state project portfolio. Manage utilization, burn rates, and forecast accuracy in partnership with finance.

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Ensure consistent, on-time, on-budget delivery across all state projects. Establish and maintain project governance including risk management, escalation protocols, quality assurance, and standardized PM/agile methodology.

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Serve as the senior client relationship owner for state accounts. Drive organic growth through strategic account planning, cross-sell and expansion conversations, and proactive identification of follow-on opportunities.

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Manage and develop a cross-functional delivery team including delivery managers, project managers, software engineers, interoperability analysts, and QA engineers. Maintain a forward-looking 60–90 day resourcing outlook.

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Standardize delivery processes, reporting, estimating, and agile practices across the portfolio. Build repeatable operational practices that support PHT’s growth and scaling objectives.

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Partner with the Technical & Offerings function to ensure architecture consistency, standards compliance, and reuse of repeatable solutions across projects.

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Collaborate with Growth & Market Development on strategic account planning and pursuit support for existing client expansion opportunities.

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Participate as a member of the PHT leadership team, contributing to division strategy, OKR development, and cross-functional decision-making.

What You'll Bring:
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5–10 years of experience in a consulting or professional services environment, including leadership roles with ownership of delivery and financial performance (e.g., P&L ownership, utilization, margin). In-house IT management does not substitute for this requirement.

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Demonstrated P&L ownership: contribution margin management, utilization optimization, burn rate analysis, and fixed-price contract management.

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Deep familiarity with public health technology, health IT, government health services, or a closely related domain. Experience with state health departments is strongly preferred.

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Proven track record of client relationship management and organic account growth in government or public sector contexts.

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Strong project and program management methodology (Agile, Scrum, hybrid waterfall) with demonstrated ability to standardize practices across a multi-project portfolio.

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Experience building, managing, and developing high-performing delivery teams, including performance management and talent development.

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Excellent risk identification, escalation judgment, and proactive problem resolution skills.

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Executive presence and communication skills for engaging with senior state health department officials and internal leadership.

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Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in public health, health informatics, information technology, public administration, or a related field.

Even Better If You Bring:
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Experience with public health data systems including disease surveillance (MDSS), vital records, electronic case reporting (eCR), or health information exchange.

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Familiarity with interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, TEFCA, USCDI) and their application in public health contexts.

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Experience managing government contracts through state IT procurement structures.

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PMP, CSM, or SAFe certification.

• Experience with state health departments.

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Experience with Costpoint or similar government contract accounting systems.

Where You'll Work:
• Remote with occasional in-person collaboration days

• If you’re near one of our offices (Arlington, VA; Silver Spring, MD; or Novi, MI), you’ll join us in person one day every other month (6 times per year) for a fun, purpose-driven Collaboration Day. These days are filled with creative energy, meaningful connection, and team brainstorming!

• Non-local employees will join these days virtually and may be asked to join us occasionally in-person.

Work Eligibility & Requirements:
• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.

• All work must be performed within the continental U.S. for the duration of employment, unless required by contract.

• Ability to work core hours aligned with Eastern Time, unless otherwise approved by your manager.

• Remote employees must maintain a dedicated, ergonomically appropriate workspace free from distractions, with reliable internet and a mobile device that supports efficient work.

• Occasional travel to client sites (primarily state health departments) may be required, estimated at 10–15% of time.

Altarum is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations disenfranchised by the health care system. We work primarily on behalf of federal and state governments to design and implement solutions that achieve measurable results. We combine our expertise in public health and health care delivery with technology development and implementation, practice transformation, training and technical assistance, quality improvement, data analytics, and applied research and evaluation. Our innovative solutions and proven processes lead to better value and health for all.

Altarum is an equal opportunity employer that provides employment and opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.