The Director of IT Strategy and Planning provides executive leadership and strategic direction for IT Planning and Operations functions within the organization. This role is responsible for overseeing IT strategic planning, demand and capacity management, IT finance operations, IT HR planning, and governance activities. The Director of IT Strategy and Planning works collaboratively with IT leadership, business stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure IT investments are aligned with organizational priorities, resources are optimally utilized, and operational excellence is achieved across all IT planning and support functions. This position reports to the Vice President of IT Operations and directly supervises the IT Planning, Resourcing and ServiceNow teams. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides leadership and strategic direction for IT Planning functions, including IT strategic planning, value management (ROI), benchmarking, and priority management to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Oversees demand management and capacity planning activities to balance IT workload with available resources and business priorities, ensuring optimal resource utilization. Leads IT HR Planning functions encompassing HR coordination, staff onboarding, training and development programs, and workforce planning to build and sustain a capable IT team. Establishes and maintains IT governance frameworks, standards, process improvement initiatives, and quality assurance practices to ensure compliance and operational excellence. Champions IT organizational change management initiatives and fosters positive IT culture to drive adoption, engagement, and successful transformation efforts. Develops and maintains dashboards, reporting mechanisms, and cost transparency views to communicate IT value and performance metrics to stakeholders. Collaborates with IT leadership to develop and execute the IT strategic plan and roadmap, contributing to long-term technology direction. Manages ServiceNow platform administration and optimization to enable IT service management, workflows, and operational processes. Provides leadership, coaching, and professional development opportunities for direct reports and team members. Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of IT planning and operations functions. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in IT management, including at least five (5) years in a leadership role overseeing IT planning, operations, or related functions. Healthcare industry experience strongly preferred, with demonstrated understanding of healthcare IT systems and regulatory requirements. Experience with IT financial management, budget development, and vendor contract negotiations required. Project Management Professional (PMP), ITIL certification, or equivalent professional certifications preferred. Strong strategic thinking and planning capabilities with the ability to translate organizational goals into actionable IT initiatives. Excellent leadership and team management skills with proven ability to develop high-performing teams and foster a collaborative work environment. Comprehensive knowledge of IT governance frameworks, best practices, and industry standards. Strong financial acumen with experience in IT budget management, ROI analysis, and resource allocation. Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all organizational levels. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision making. Experience with ServiceNow or similar IT service management platforms. Knowledge of project portfolio management methodologies and tools. Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Change management expertise with experience leading organizational transformation initiatives. Strong understanding of healthcare industry trends, regulations (HIPAA), and compliance requirements preferred. Additional Information Organization: Corporate Services Department: Ascension Information Technolo Shift: Day Job Union Code: Not Applicable