About this role
Job summary
This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work.
Are you an experienced business support leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working alongside senior leaders to drive organisational performance? We are seeking a Head of the Chief Digital and Information Officers (CDIO) office to play a pivotal role within our Digital Data and Technology Services (DDTS) Directorate, supporting strategic priorities, business planning, performance reporting and governance activities that enable the delivery of critical organisational objectives. This role sits at the centre of key directorate operations and stakeholder engagement activities.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised and influential professional with experience of working alongside senior leaders, managing teams, coordinating complex workstreams and producing high-quality reports and analysis. You will be instrumental in ensuring effective planning, risk management, performance monitoring and business support across DDTS, whilst acting as a trusted advisor and key point of coordination for senior stakeholders and other staff within the Directorate.
Main duties of the job
The Head of CDIO Office is responsible for coordinating and reporting on key cross-directorate activities on behalf of the CDIO, including performance management, risk management, strategic planning, learning academy activities and business planning. The role works closely with the DDTS Senior Management Team (SMT) and other stakeholders to support delivery of DDTS priorities. Your duties will include:
- Contribute to the prioritisation of key workstreams and liaise with stakeholders across DDTS and other directorates. Act as the first point of contact for the CDIO Office, supporting internal and external queries and new starters.
- Line manage support staff within the CDIO Office and be accountable for their work.
- Support strategic and operational risk management activities, including workshops, risk reviews, governance meetings, training, stakeholder engagement and escalation processes.
- Support the annual business planning process, facilitate planning workshops, liaise with corporate teams and provide updates on delivery.
- Maintain effective relationships across DDTS and wider NHSBT, ensuring the CDIO Office provides a coordinated support function.
- Present updates on behalf of the CDIO Office at senior management meetings, forums and Directorate-wide events.
About us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer
- Hybrid working arrangements because NHSBT works nationally, were able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options we promote flexible working where the role allows. Were happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - weve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. Its open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website.
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking Apply if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on the 24 November 2026 however this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of application.
Interviews are anticipated to be held on 02 December 2026 in-person at NHSBT Birmingham New Street office subject to confirmation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree or demonstrable equivalent experience in business administration or digital data and technology services setting.
- Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of staff management and the ability to translate, including taking responsibility for staff induction, training, workload allocation, appraisal and development.
- Previous demonstratable experience in a Head of Office or similar senior role
- Experienced in the use of specialised IT packages e.g., Qpulse, Visio, Publisher, as appropriate to the post.
- Good basic knowledge of relevant statutory directives, i.e., GDPR, Equality and Diversity Directive.
- Experience in communicating contentious and difficult information through clear and simple to understand messages to individuals and groups of staff
- Previous experience of working with Senior Management in an advanced secretarial or administrative post.
- Previous project management experience.
- Experienced in delivering DDTS related projects on behalf of senior management
- Previous experience of working with senior leaders in a performance and/or business support type role/duty; includes co-ordinating and planning various work streams and stakeholders.
- Previous line management experience.
- Previous experience of working with senior management within a DDTS function
- Budget management experience.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Blood and Transplant
Address
England
Barnsley Blood Centre, Capitol Way, Dodworth
England
South Yorkshire
S75 3FG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)