Chief Data Officer

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a Chief Data Officer (CDO) to lead their data transformation efforts within the NHS. In this strategic role, you will oversee data management and governance, enabling teams to make impactful decisions using data-driven insights. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in senior data leadership within healthcare, promoting a culture of data literacy. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of cancer care through innovative data practices.

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.
• Proven experience in a senior data leadership role within a complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of data management and analytics.
• Define the roadmap for data platforms and capabilities.
• Champion data-driven decision-making across the Trust.

Skills

Strategic leadership in data management and analytics

Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills

Ability to communicate complex data concepts

Change management and digital transformation

Education

Masters level in Data Science or related field

Job description

Chief Data Officer (CDO)

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, 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.

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 organisation‑level data platforms, tools, capabilities and functions to ensure the Christie is a leader in the use 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 Trust’s 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 Trust’s objectives and agreed strategy. Manage allocated budgets within the requirements of the Trust’s 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 Trust’s 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 supports 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 patient needs at the centre of all decisions.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONDUCT Adhere to impeccable standards of personal conduct and demonstrate commitment to the Trust’s values. Ensure personal professional knowledge is regularly updated and keep abreast of relevant developments. Adhere to the expectations set by the Trust’s 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.

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.

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, Integrated Care System 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 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.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and 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.

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.

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.

Contact Information

Employer: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Executive – E00428, Manchester, M20 4BX

Website: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/