Head of Information Technology

Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan is looking for a seasoned and dynamic senior leadership team member for the role of Head of Information Technology at Karachi.

The Head of IT will provide strategic leadership to align IT strategies, process improvements, and digital health initiatives with healthcare goals, quality standards, and compliance frameworks. S/he will drive the development and implementation of innovative, scalable IT solutions, robust infrastructure, and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and risk management. Additionally, s/he will ensure smooth, cost-effective project execution, build strong local and global alliances to share technology, best practices, and drive mutual growth.

Key Objectives of the Role Strategic IT Leadership & Process Improvement

• Provide leadership for IT and process improvement programs aligned with the organization's strategic goals and healthcare quality standards.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of process improvement methodologies, ensuring IT solutions effectively support evolving care models.
• Foster innovation and continuous learning by developing IT staff capabilities and embedding change champions across departments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to lead cross-cutting projects, ensuring integration and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Ensure robust staff engagement and communication mechanisms throughout all IT and process improvement initiatives.

Technology Strategy & Infrastructure

• Assess the internal and external technology landscape to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Evaluate and optimize systems architecture, implementing scalable IT solutions to meet organizational needs.
• Ensure IT infrastructure readiness to support ongoing and upcoming projects, coordinating with local and international IT teams.
• Monitor emerging technologies and assess their potential business impact, advising senior leadership accordingly.

Information Security

• Provide strategic leadership in developing and enforcing robust information security policies and controls to protect patient data, IT infrastructure, and organizational assets.
• Lead organization-wide cybersecurity awareness initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders to mitigate risks, manage incidents, and maintain a strong security posture aligned with business objectives.

Budgeting and Planning

• Develop and manage the annual IT budget, including forecasting, cost analysis, and resource allocation, in alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with finance and other departments to monitor budget performance regularly, implement cost control measures, and provide financial guidance to support cost savings and risk mitigation in IT projects.

Business Continuity & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain comprehensive business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis management plans.
• Ensure IT systems and processes comply with data confidentiality, security, and ethical standards.

Digital Health Initiatives

• Lead and shape the organization's digital health strategy and implementation, ensuring alignment with overarching objectives, and manage the execution of digital health programs and initiatives.

Quality & Compliance

• Lead the implementation and integration of ISO, NABH, and JCI accreditation standards across all departments, embedding IT compliance into daily operations.
• Support the organization's participation in the NHI program by providing expert IT guidance as required.

Project & Vendor Management

• Oversee IT project lifecycles, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery and adherence to project scope and budget.
• Provide regular project status updates and proactively address challenges related to risks, timelines, and resources.

The Requirements Skills & Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Information Technology, Healthcare Informatics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in IT management, project management (e.g., PMP), or healthcare quality standards are highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in IT within healthcare or a related sector.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing ERP, complex IT projects, monitoring & evaluation systems, and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder environments, including government, healthcare providers, and vendors.
• Strong leadership and strategic thinking capabilities with proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• In-depth knowledge of healthcare IT systems, primary and secondary care processes, and international quality standards (ISO, NABH, JCI).
• Excellent project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) with fluency in English and Urdu.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant IT management tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity with a strong organizational values.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Dynamic and resilient leader with a collaborative mindset and professional integrity.
• Proactive, creative, detail-oriented, and capable of independent decision-making with a positive attitude.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. AKHS is committed to reducing our impact on climate and the environment and has set a goal of achieving net-zero carbon operations by 2030. All staff are expected to participate in this effort. The Head of IT, along with his/her Line Manager(s), is expected to identify and understand the environmental impact of their work and define tasks, work, and personal goals to reduce these impacts and bring AKHS closer to net zero.

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