System VP, Chief Information and Digital Officer

University of Wisconsin Health (UW Health) has retained Kirby Partners to support its search for a System Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer.

About UW Health:

UW Health is an integrated health system with a total of nine hospitals (six main hospitals, one joint operating agreement hospital,  and two hospitals within the main Illinois hospital), and four medical centers in Wisconsin and Illinois. UW Health is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

UW Health partners with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health to advance patient care, research, education, and community service to patients from across the U.S. and around the world.

UW Health is nationally recognized by Newsweek and Statista as one of the world’s best specialized hospitals and was named the #1 hospital in Wisconsin for the 13th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

Position Overview

The System Vice President, Chief Information & Digital Officer (CIDO) will report to the Senior VP/Chief Administrative Officer; and will provide overall administration, direction, coordination, and evaluation of the operational, financial, space, and human resource functions and activities for the UW Health Information, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Services. The System VP/CIDO leads UW Health’s digital and informatics strategies by advancing partnerships within the UW Health System, School of Medicine and Public Health, Quartz Health, technology industry, and with other contributing UW Schools and Colleges. As the digital officer for the organization, the CIDO leads the initiative to establish, grow and transform UW Health and its constituent organizations’ activities on a new digital platform. The System VP/CIDO is responsible for leading, directing, and administering IS, EA & SO, and digital initiatives in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of UW Health and its constituent organizations.

The System VP/CIDO is responsible for sponsoring and providing strategic leadership for the Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) and Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO) in the creation and development of the UW Health Informatics Center of Excellence (ICOE) program. The ICOE will engage all informatics functions and contributing disciplines throughout the health system, medical school, and relevant schools and colleges in the broader UW academic system.

UW Health is committed to the highest standard of customer service principles for its patients and family members, visitors and staff members. Staff will serve as role models by practicing exemplary behaviors when working with patients and family members, visitors and fellow staff members.

Administrative Leader

• Provide overall leadership, direction and coordination of operations, finances, space, and human resources for all operating areas within range of responsibility.
• Develop and/or implement appropriate institutional policies and procedures to enhance efficient and effective operations and delivery of services within areas of responsibility.
• Translate strategic plans and budget targets into operational action plans which guide resource allocation and the coordination and direction of personnel; direct operations in areas of responsibility to achieve the annual operating plan.
• Provide leadership, guidance, support and direction to the department managers/directors in their fiscal care efforts to ensure optimal use of resources and provide effective service.
• Effectively lead and administer the following responsibilities and activities:
  • Lead and establish, in concert with operational leaders, new digital models to optimize the digital experience that will include new customer-facing operations and drive efficiencies in the care model. Be the cross-functional change agent and integrator in the digital transformation process, serving as the facilitating partner between all other executives and functions in the rollout of digital initiatives and capabilities, fully integrating business and technology, and closing digital performance gaps that exist in and between the various functions and business units of the organization.
  • Partner with teams across the business to generate innovative digital solutions for products, services, processes, customer experiences, marketing channels, and business models.
  • Expand the digital innovation ecosystem: partner, build, manage and grow an internal and external digital innovation ecosystem, tapping into competencies across and beyond the organization (in an external industry partner network) to apply digital technologies to the business.
  • Identify and developing infrastructure and allocating resources to support operations while ensuring long-term institutional viability.
  • Work collaboratively with the Chief Nursing Executive, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Medical Information Officer, and Chief Nursing Informatics Officer to ensure effective clinical systems that support the care of patients and the needs of the academic enterprise.
  • Work collaboratively with the Director of Biomedical Informatics Research to ensure effective data systems that support the research activities of faculty.
  • Partner with Chief Innovation Officer and other key leaders to leverage technology as a source for diversified revenue opportunities.

Strategic Planning

• Participate in the development of the institutional strategic plan to ensure accomplishment of the mission and vision of UW Health.
• Guide and direct strategic planning for areas of responsibility.

Advisor

• Serves as an advisor and consultant to the Senior VP/Chief Administrative Officer on matters within areas of responsibility.
• Provides advice and information to the UWHCA Board of Directors on matters within areas of responsibility.

Educator / Facilitator

• Contributes to the establishment of a learning environment which is conducive to the provision of educational and research experiences to students, house officers, faculty and staff.
• Supports the educational and professional development opportunities to staff, students and interns within areas of responsibility.
• Contributes to the institution knowledge of the latest trends, practices and state-of- the-art technology as applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

External Stakeholders

• Acts as a liaison and representative of the institution pertaining to IS, Informatics, AI and Digital with the UW Health executive leadership, the Authority Board of Directors, Clinical Department Chairs, UW School of Medicine and Public Health administration and research leadership, and affiliated physicians and mid-level providers.

Qualifications

Education 

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area such as information services, business administration, health administration or a health profession.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in healthcare or hospital administration, nursing administration, business or a related discipline, or an MD degree.

Work Experience

Minimum:

• Five plus years in a senior leadership role in information services, analytics or information security
• Career of progressively higher level leadership roles in multiple types of hospitals and health care organizations

Preferred:

• Work experience in a multi-hospital system or integrated delivery system
• Broad based knowledge of the full scope of operations in an accredited academic medical center or primary teaching hospital of comparable size and scope to UW Health
• Experience in providing effective IS support to a research enterprise
• Additional experience in a leadership role in ambulatory care and a physician practice

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of modern health care administration, systems, practices and principles.
• Effective leadership abilities:
  • Record of initiating change and innovation
  • Strategic thinking, planning and problem solving
  • Superior communication skills, both in written and verbal presentation
• Effective human relations abilities to effect collaborative alliances and promote teamwork and ensure a high level of internal and external customer satisfaction and engagement.
• Ability to succeed in a complex environment where decision-making may be diffuse and ambiguous.
• Demonstrated exemplary presentation skills to engage and motivate organizational stakeholders.
• Proven success in developing a large high performing staff, establishing performance standards, and transitioning staff through organizational change, with an emphasis on the ability to recruit and manage a culturally diverse workforce.
• A high degree of professionalism and competency dealing with a variety of individuals including physicians, senior executives, hospital administration, and external constituents.
• Experience in preparing operating and capital budgets.
• An ability to organize and present data in a concise and easily understood manner, often to professionals, physicians and board members.
• Ability to be recognized as a positive change agent.
• Proven success as a dynamic and empowering leader who possesses a positive attitude to instill a vision for excellence with innovation and creativity.
• Conflict management and resolution skills.
• Skilled developer of relationships and partnerships.

About Madison, Wisconsin

Capital city and vibrant college town

Located in south central Wisconsin and nestled between Lakes Mendota and Monona, Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and the second largest city in the state. The city offers numerous museums, arts & music venues and festivals, unique local shopping, award-winning restaurants, and sporting events.

A highly desirable place to live

Ranked as one of the 2025 top 100 best places to live in the U.S. by Livability, Madison offers an eclectic mix of big-city amenities with scenic attractions. The city is named as one of the five best cities for biking in the U.S., providing easy access to beautiful rural spots and nearby communities. Madison has highly rated public schools and is ranked one of the top 20 safest cities in America.

The greenest city in America

Madison is renowned for its green environment and eco-conscious residents. This city has become an example of how to maintain a green environment. There are about 11.6 parks per 10,000 residents, one of the highest rates in the U.S. The city has also been ranked #3 Happiest City in America by WalletHub in 2023.

Procedure for Candidacy

Final candidates should expect two interviews with Kirby Partners recruiters (including a video conference interview). You may be asked to complete our “Executive Profile” and submit references to be considered for presentation to the search committee.