About this role
Job summary
The Chief Digital Officer (CDO) provides strategic leadership for the organisation's digital, data, technology and innovation agenda, ensuring alignment with NHS priorities, local transformation objectives and the Ten-Year Health Plan. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the CDO leads the development and delivery of a system-wide digital strategy that improves patient outcomes, staff experience, productivity and the reduction of health inequalities. The CDO leads major digital transformation programmes, acting as Senior Responsible Owner for significant initiatives and investments, ensuring effective governance, delivery of measurable benefits and value for money. The role drives the adoption of digital, data and AI-enabled solutions to support clinical care, commissioning, population health management, service redesign and operational performance.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for cyber security, digital governance, information management, clinical safety and resilient digital services, overseeing digital infrastructure, shared care records, primary care IT, procurement and investment planning. As a recognised digital leader, the CDO provides thought leadership on emerging technologies and innovation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based adoption of new approaches. Working across NHS organisations, local authorities, academia and other partners, the CDO develops a secure, interoperable and innovative digital ecosystem, championing digital inclusion, user-centred design and best practice at local, regional and national levels.
About us
We are joining up to tackle all the things that affect our health and wellbeing, make real change, and improve things for our communities.
Dorset ICS is made up of:
NHS Dorset Integrated Care BoardUniversity Hospitals Dorset Foundation TrustDorset County Hospital Foundation TrustDorset HealthCare University Foundation TrustDorset CouncilBournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council194 town and parish councils18 primary care networks (made up of 73 GP practices)Southwestern Ambulance Service Foundation TrustDorset PoliceDorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service7,300 voluntary organisationsWhat we do
The Health and Care Bill puts ICSs on a statutory footing empowering them to better join up health and care services, improve population health, and reduce health inequalities.
ICSs have four core purposes:
Improve outcomes in population health and healthcareTackle inequalities in outcomes, experience, and accessEnhance productivity and value for moneyHelp the NHS support broader social and economic development
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for the requirements of the role
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to masters level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area Proven and significant leadership experience Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to masters level equivalent Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development Significant evidence of continued professional development Significant management experience at senior level in the NHS or other public healthcare related industry Proven Board level experience of leading and delivering complex change and strategy development programmes in a politically sensitive and complex environment Proven record in transferring processes and roles between locations. Commissioning expertise in healthcare environment Significant experience and understanding of proven implementation of project management methodologies Member of a relevant professional body Education sector knowledge Experience and/or understanding of the Health Economy Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement Should have an appreciation of the relationship between different health and social care bodies including individual provider and commissioning organisations Commercial expertise Awareness of relevant public and private sector business management best practice Experience of successfully operating in and delivering priorities in a partnership environment
Skills, abilities and knowledge Essential
Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment and experience in handling media Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required Extensive experience of delivering presentations to large groups of stakeholders in often pressured and politically sensitive environments Ability to analyse highly complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making Ability to analyse numerical and written data, assess options and draw appropriate initiatives Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly Ability to provide informative reporting on finances and impact to Board management Experience of project and programme management techniques and tools such as Prince 2 or Managing Successful Projects High level critical thinking skills Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Demonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate Ability to develop, maintain and monitor information systems to support innovation initiatives
Experience Essential
Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues Experience in leading a major change initiative with entrepreneurialism in a challenging organisational environment Experience of creating a new team and motivating and inspiring colleagues to work together to achieve a common objective Ability to delegate effectively Ability to work effectively between strategic and operational activities where required Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes Determination, perseverance, and resilience Flexibility, and the ability to handle a rapidly changing and ambiguous environment
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name NHS Dorset
Address NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board
County Hall
Colliton Park
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1XJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)