Chief Digital Officer

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 89,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership seeks a visionary Chief Digital Officer to lead digital transformation initiatives across Wales' health services. This strategic role focuses on innovative digital solutions and stakeholder engagement to enhance healthcare delivery, requiring extensive experience in public sector digital leadership.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Agile working approach

Commitment to equality and inclusion

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading digital transformation in a healthcare context.
• Proven track record in strategic management within complex organizations.
• Significant senior level experience in digital services within the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Executive responsibility for the strategic development and delivery of digital services.
• Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive Digital Strategy.
• Manage digital platforms, infrastructure, and data governance.

Skills

Leadership

Digital Governance

Stakeholder Engagement

Change Leadership

Education

Masters level education in ICT or similar discipline

Job description

Job summary

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) is seeking a visionary, dynamic, and strategic Chief Digital Officer (CDO) to lead the transformation of our digital capabilities and services across Wales. A senior post in NWSSP, the CDO will play a critical role in shaping and delivering the Digital Strategy that enables innovation, efficiency, and high-quality services across health and care. NWSSP supports NHS Wales by providing a comprehensive range of support services. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a wide-reaching digital transformation agenda that impacts not only the organisation but also the broader health and care system. We are looking for a strategic leader with a strong background in digital innovation, data, and technology, who can engage and influence stakeholders at all levels. You will bring experience from large, complex environments and have a proven track record of leading digital change at scale. If you're passionate about transforming health and care through digital innovation and want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in Wales, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As CDO, you will have executive responsibility for the strategic development and operational delivery of digital services within NWSSP. You will lead the design and implementation of a Digital Strategy that aligns with our organisational objectives, the broader NHS Wales digital roadmap, and Ministerial priorities. You will lead teams responsible for digital platforms, infrastructure, data governance, and innovation. A key focus will be modernising our digital capabilities, embedding data-driven decision making, and enabling seamless digital experiences for the NHS organisations and stakeholders we serve. This includes harnessing the power of technologies such as automation, AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity to improve service delivery and efficiency. You will work closely with senior leaders, partners, and health boards to shape a digital ecosystem that is robust, secure, and responsive to the evolving needs of the NHS in Wales. The ideal candidate will be an experienced senior digital leader, with a strong track record in strategic IT and data leadership across complex, regulated environments--preferably in public sector or healthcare. You'll bring expertise in transformation, stakeholder engagement, and change leadership, coupled with a deep understanding of digital governance, risk, and emerging technologies.

About us

At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.

Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.

Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.

Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/

NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.

Details Date posted

04 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£89,491 to £103,203 a year per annumn

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

043-AC087-0625

Job locations

Companies House

Crown Way

Cardiff

CF14 3UZ

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience Essential

• Masters level education in ICT or similar discipline or significant relevant experience equivalent to a recognisable formal qualification.
• Evidence of postgraduate management and leadership development.
• In-depth professional digital knowledge across a wide range of core and specialist areas.
• Significant experience at a senior level, leading a digital function on behalf of an NHS Health Board/Trust.
• A successful track record of leadership and strategic management in a complex public or commercial organisation.
• Experience of delivering high quality, value for money digital solutions at a local (NHS organisational) level, regional level and national level.

Desirable

• Public sector or NHS experience

Skills and Attributes Essential

• Ability to provide compassionate, collaborative and visible leadership to build a positive team spirit and inspire, motivate and support colleagues.

Desirable

• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience Essential

• Masters level education in ICT or similar discipline or significant relevant experience equivalent to a recognisable formal qualification.
• Evidence of postgraduate management and leadership development.
• In-depth professional digital knowledge across a wide range of core and specialist areas.
• Significant experience at a senior level, leading a digital function on behalf of an NHS Health Board/Trust.
• A successful track record of leadership and strategic management in a complex public or commercial organisation.
• Experience of delivering high quality, value for money digital solutions at a local (NHS organisational) level, regional level and national level.

Desirable

• Public sector or NHS experience

Skills and Attributes Essential

• Ability to provide compassionate, collaborative and visible leadership to build a positive team spirit and inspire, motivate and support colleagues.

Desirable

• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.

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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership

Address

Companies House

Crown Way

Cardiff

CF14 3UZ

Employer's website

https://nwssp.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership

Address

Companies House

Crown Way

Cardiff

CF14 3UZ

Employer's website

https://nwssp.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)