Chief Data Officer

The Christie NHS FT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 109,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer hospital in Manchester seeks a Chief Data Officer to lead their data strategy and innovation in healthcare. This unique role involves overseeing data governance, alliances with national bodies, and enhancing operational intelligence. The ideal candidate has substantial senior data leadership experience in healthcare, a strong understanding of data frameworks, and a commitment to equitable data use. With a salary range of £109,179 to £125,637 annually, this position offers a chance to significantly impact cancer care through data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior data leadership, ideally in healthcare or public sector.
• A passion for innovation and solving complex system-wide challenges.
• Ability to influence at executive level and inspire multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of a Trust-wide data strategy.
• Oversee data governance, architecture, and quality across all systems.
• Cultivate a data-literacy culture across the Trust.

Skills

Strategic leadership in data management and analytics

Strong stakeholder engagement

Ability to translate complex data concepts

Excellent communication skills

Innovation in AI and predictive analytics

Change management skills

Education

Masters level or equivalent in Data Science or related field

Professional certifications in data governance

Tools

Data governance frameworks

Analytical tools

Job description

Be the Intelligence Behind the Future of Cancer Care

Are you ready to lead one of the most exciting data transformations in UK healthcare? The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Chief Data Officer (CDO) to spearhead our journey toward becoming the UK's most intelligent cancer hospital. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of cancer care through data, analytics, and innovation--driving personalised medicine, operational excellence, and ground-breaking research.

Why This Role Matters

At The Christie, data isn't just numbers--it's knowledge, insight, and life‑saving potential. As CDO, you’ll lead the strategic direction of enterprise-wide data management, governance, and analytics. You’ll be the architect of our data future, enabling clinicians, researchers, and operational teams to make smarter, faster, and more impactful decisions. You’ll champion the Pathway to Intelligent Hospital - Joint Analytics for Cancer, collaborating with national bodies, academic institutions, and industry partners to unlock the power of real‑world data.

Main duties of the job

Lead the development and delivery of a Trust‑wide data strategy aligned with national priorities like Data Saves Lives and the NHS Long Term Plan. Drive innovation in AI, predictive modelling, and population health analytics. Oversee data governance, architecture, and quality across all systems. Enable secure, ethical data sharing to reduce health inequalities. Support research and clinical trials with high‑quality, curated data. Cultivate a data‑literacy culture across the Trust, empowering staff to use data for better care and smarter decisions.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a visionary leader with:

• Proven experience in senior data leadership, ideally in healthcare or public sector.
• Strategic insight and technical expertise in data platforms, governance, and analytics.
• A passion for innovation, curiosity, and solving complex system‑wide challenges.
• The ability to influence at executive level and inspire multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to equity, sustainability, and ethical data use.

What Makes This Role Unique

This isn’t just a data role--it's a transformational leadership position. You’ll be at the heart of shaping how data drives care, research, and operational strategy in one of the UK’s leading cancer centres. You’ll have the freedom to innovate, the support to lead, and the platform to make a lasting impact.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15 % of patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world‑first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee the quality, security, and lifecycle management of data across all Trust systems. Define the roadmap and oversee the implementation of organisational level data platforms, tools, capabilities and functions to ensure the Christie is a leader in the uses of high quality real‑world data. Enable the use of data for clinical decision support, operational intelligence, and performance improvement. Support research, innovation, and academic partnerships by ensuring access to high‑quality, well‑curated data. Lead the development of advanced analytics capabilities, including AI and predictive modelling, to support population health and personalised care. Develop and implement a Trust‑wide data strategy aligned with national priorities for cancer care. Lead data governance, ensuring compliance with standards (e.g. GDPR, Caldicott Principles, Ethics). Champion data literacy and foster a culture of data‑driven decision‑making across the Trust. Collaborate with partners to enable secure and ethical data sharing across organisational boundaries for the benefit of our patients.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL TASKS / DUTIES

Manage and lead teams in line with the trusts workforce and related policies, standing financial instructions and scheme of delegation, and other relevant policies and procedures. Develop and achieve annual objectives for data services within the framework of the Trusts objectives and agreed strategy. Manage allocated budgets within the requirements of the Trusts Scheme of Delegation and Standing Financial Instructions. Produce an annual rolling investment plan for data infrastructure including capital, revenue and staffing resource. Lead the specification of data platforms. Measure and advance the Trusts analytical maturity using benchmarked standards of assessment. Develop and implement policies and procedures in line with requirements and best practice. Ensure compliance of the clinical systems with Safety of Health Systems standards, appropriate NHS Information Standards Notices (ISNs) and National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) notices. Ensure compliance with the requirements of information governance, data protection and freedom of information guidance and legislation.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

Support provision of modern digital infrastructure, that fully support the operational, clinical, and business data/intelligence needs of the trust. Oversee the delivery of an effective set of comprehensive and proactive data and intelligence support services. Ensure the effective management of data assets, ensuring these are actively monitored with clear ownership and accountability. Ensure the provision of effective data protection measures to adequately secure and maintain systems data. Lead, link, partner and utilise resources and capabilities available from industry and NHS partners, to provide mutual benefits in the advancement of data utilisation with our patient needs at the centre of all decisions.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONDUCT

Adhere to impeccable standards of personal conduct and demonstrate commitment to the trusts values. Ensure personal professional knowledge is regularly updated and keep abreast of relevant developments. Adhere to the expectations set by the trusts values. Adhere to the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers. Implement systems and processes, so that in the event of absence, access to all appropriate information is maintained to allow the continued safe and effective running of the services under your leadership.

ON-CALL

Participate in the Executive on‑call rota

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. Data Science, Informatics, Computer Science, Public Health).
• Evidence of continued professional development in data leadership, governance, or analytics.
• Professional certifications in data governance, data protection, or analytics (e.g. DAMA, CDMP, PRINCE2, TOGAF).
• Fellowship or membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g. BCS, Faculty of Clinical Informatics).

Other

• Able to work flexible hours if required.
• Able to participate in an On‑Call rota if required.
• Own transport

Experience

• Proven experience in a senior data leadership role within a complex organisation, ideally in healthcare or the public sector.
• Track record of delivering data strategies and governance
• Experience working with clinical and operational teams to embed data‑driven decision‑making.
• Experience in managing data architecture, analytics platforms, and data science initiatives
• Experience of managing and leading external relationships with national bodies and industry partners
• Experience working within or alongside an NHS Trust, IC, or other healthcare provider.
• Experience supporting research and innovation through data access and curation.
• Experience in cross‑organisational data sharing and regional data collaboration initiatives.

Skills

• Strategic leadership and vision in data management and analytics.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across clinical, operational, and executive levels.
• Ability to translate complex data concepts into actionable insights for non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, including data scientists, analysts, and governance professionals.
• Ability to lead innovation in AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics in a healthcare context.
• Skilled in change management and digital transformation.

Knowledge

• In‑depth understanding of NHS data standards, structures, and regulatory frameworks (e.g. NHS Digital, IG Toolkit, Caldicott Principles, GDPR).
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality management, and information lifecycle principles.
• Familiarity with modern data platforms, interoperability standards (e.g. FHIR), and analytics tools.
• Understanding of the NHS Long Term Plan, Data Saves Lives strategy, and Integrated Care Systems (ICS) priorities.
• Understanding of research data management, clinical trials, and academic data partnerships.
• Awareness of NHS funding models, performance metrics,and regulatory reporting requirements.

Values

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£109,179 to £125,637 a year per annum pro rata