Program Manager / Transition Lead - Healthcare

Position OverviewHarbor IT is seeking a Program Manager to own the end-to-end delivery of a high-stakes healthcare IT transition. This engagement involves a mid-market healthcare organization with approximately 100 facilities nationwide, currently supported by an internal IT team of 40–50 staff, transitioning to a fully managed Harbor IT service model within a 2–4 month window.

This is the most consequential mid-market engagement in Harbor IT’s portfolio this year. The Program Manager is accountable for executing a clean cutover of the client’s full IT operation onto Harbor IT’s processes, tooling, and operating model—with zero service interruption, zero net-new compliance findings, and preserved executive trust.

This role is designed for a seasoned operator who has personally delivered transitions of this scale and speed before. It requires executive presence, decisive judgment, and hands-on leadership—strategic in the boardroom and tactical on the ground.

Organizational StructureHarbor IT operates through vertical “Shuttles” aligned to client segments (Healthcare, Mid-Market, Local Business, Private Equity). Each shuttle contains multiple PODs, which are tightly focused delivery units responsible for a defined client set. Due to scale and compliance requirements, this engagement will operate as a dedicated account during transition rather than integrating into an existing POD.

The Program Manager reports directly to the Healthcare Shuttle Director for the duration of the engagement and holds scope, hiring, and staffing authority within the commercial parameters approved at kickoff.

This role partners closely with Harbor IT Security, Compliance, and Infrastructure leadership and serves as the single point of accountability to the client executive sponsor.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Transition Ownership

Deliver a full IT operational cutover within 2–4 months Ensure zero critical service interruptions and no compliance gap Own timeline, risk, scope, and delivery outcomesIT Staff Assessment and Restructuring

Personally assess the client’s internal IT teamMake retention and redundancy recommendationsLead sensitive communications in partnership with client HR and Harbor IT leadershipDesign and execute retained-staff onboardingSteady-State Team Buildout

Hire and manage field technicians, site leads, and operational staffIntegrate retained client employees or recruit externally as neededEnsure staffing readiness by cutover, not afterField Coverage Model Design

Define and implement on-site, regional, and remote coverage across approximately 100 facilitiesDocument, staff, and operationalize the model within the transition windowHIPAA and Healthcare Compliance Continuity

Own compliance integrity throughout the transitionEnsure PHI handling, BAA continuity, access controls, and audit readinessCoordinate closely with Harbor IT Security and client compliance leadershipExecutive Client Leadership

Act as the executive point of contact for client sponsorsRun weekly steering committee meetingsNavigate scope disputes, staffing decisions, and timeline pressure with confidence and clarityCutover and Program Execution

Build and enforce the master transition plan (milestones, RAID log, dependencies)Maintain the plan as the single operational source of truthTooling and Documentation Foundation

Ensure full PSA and documentation readiness (ConnectWise and Hudu preferred)Asset inventories, service catalogs, contacts, and escalation paths complete before cutoverCommercial and Scope Control

Enforce MSA boundariesSurface out-of-scope items commercially, not operationallyProtect engagement margin while maintaining client trustHandover and Continuity

If not remaining as account GM, recruit and onboard the successorDeliver complete runbooks, SOPs, escalation paths, and stakeholder mapsEnsure no fragmented handoffsBuild the Transition Playbook

Bring an established transition methodology (checklists, assessment frameworks, staffing models)Institutionalize this capability within Harbor IT for future engagementsSuccess Criteria (First 6 Months)

Zero critical service interruptions during cutoverZero net-new HIPAA or compliance findingsTransition completed within the agreed 2–4 month windowWritten executive validation of steady-state readinessFully staffed, documented, and operational account handoffRequired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in IT, Business, Healthcare Administration, or equivalent operational experience10+ years in IT service delivery, MSPs, or technology consultingDirect ownership of at least two large-scale IT outsourcing or transition engagements (50+ sites)Experience conducting staff assessments and making retention and redundancy recommendations for 30+ personnelHands-on experience operating within a HIPAA-regulated environmentPrior responsibility for a $3M+ annual managed services engagementDemonstrated success delivering transitions in 90 days or lessTechnical Competencies

Strong understanding of mid-market MSP operating modelsPSA and documentation systems experience (ConnectWise and Hudu strongly preferred)HIPAA Security Rule and healthcare compliance literacyFamiliarity with healthcare IT environments (EHRs, endpoints, identity, network, backup)Leadership and Soft Skills

Executive presence under pressureClear, confident communicator with internal teams and client leadershipDecisive, with a strong bias to actionComfortable operating strategically and tactically in parallelOwns outcomes, not just plansThis Role Is Not a Fit for Candidates Who

Have only worked in PMO or coordination roles without delivery authorityHave not personally executed a large IT transition under 120 daysPrefer indirect influence over direct accountabilityPreferred Certifications (Optional)

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent enterprise program leadership credentialITIL v4HIPAA-related certifications (experience prioritized over credentials) 

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