Application Manager

Overview

The Application Manager oversees and guides the organization’s portfolio of mission-critical applications (i.e., EMR, PACS, etc.) With advanced knowledge of IT deployment and strategy, this role leads application administration, optimization, and roadmap development. Working closely with stakeholders across the organization - including IT, business leaders, clinical teams, and vendors - the Application Manager ensures stability, performance, alignment with business goals, and continuous improvement. They also manage a team of analysts, lead complex projects, and drive process and governance enhancements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the planning, implementation, maintenance, and support of enterprise applications, ensuring performance, reliability, security, and compliance (including HIPAA) align with organizational architecture and objectives. 
• Supervise and mentor a team of Senior and Junior Application Analysts: prioritize assignments, conduct performance reviews, provide coaching and professional development.
• Act as primary liaison with business units (e.g. clinical, finance, HR), system users, and vendors to identify needs, prioritize enhancements, manage support escalations, and evaluate new application opportunities. 
• Manage application-related projects from vendor evaluation and procurement through selection, implementation, training, and post-deployment support - serving as project manager where required. 
• Define project scopes, identify and manage stakeholders, tailor communications for varied audiences, and track deliverables to ensure timely completion. 
• Oversee application governance: define policies and processes for change management, system usage, uptime, security and performance, downtime procedures, and business continuity. 
• Develop and maintain application roadmaps aligned with IT and business strategy; prepare executive-level reports, performance metrics, gap analyses, and improvement plans.
• Conduct application portfolio assessments and review redundancy, value, and risk to optimize cost effectiveness and support strategic decision-making. 
• Manage vendor relationships and service level agreements, including contract negotiation and performance evaluations. 
• Ensure effective training and knowledge transfer: establish best practices, support documentation, facilitate end-user training sessions, and foster on-the-job mentoring.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory updates, and evolving business needs - advocating for enhancements and new application investments. 
• Manage the On-call after hour team. This includes, but not limited to providing downtime updates, issues, and resolutions to senior leadership. 

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years in clinical systems or business analysis, application support/administration, or equivalent IT roles;.
• 1.5+ years in a senior or lead positions within healthcare IT. 
• Proven experience leading significant application projects - from needs assessment through rollout and optimization in healthcare environments. 
• Demonstrated background in enterprise systems (e.g. EMR/clinical systems), integration, database management and architecture, infrastructure, and vendor oversight.
• Working knowledge of internet protocols, VPN, firewall, wireless infrastructure, Ethernet, and other data communications methods. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and written documentation skills.
• Promote excellence through continuous process improvement and the creative pursuit of new ideas, partnerships, and systems. 
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Previous experience in a healthcare environment.