Chief Information Officer

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a Chief Information Officer to drive digital transformation and information strategy. You will lead a team to enhance digital services across the organization, ensuring technology supports safe, efficient, and personalized patient care. The ideal candidate will have a master's degree, extensive digital experience, and a passion for innovation to improve outcomes. This permanent position offers a competitive salary and a chance to shape the future of healthcare.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level with relevant experience.
• Proven experience in digital services and NHS preferred.
• Experience leading large IT teams and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital service delivery and development of digital strategy.
• Oversee digital services, governance, and compliance.
• Manage and support the Digital Services team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent experience

Degree in informatics-related subject

Tools

PRINCE2

TOGAF

AWS

ITIL

Job description

Overview

Join Us as Chief Information Officer and help shape the Future of Cancer Care at The Christie. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead our digital transformation and information strategy. This is a unique opportunity to lead Digital Services and drive innovation at one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, delivering the Future Christie programme—a 10-year vision to create a patient- and staff-focused, intelligent, data-driven hospital.

As CIO, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for digital services, ensuring technology and data are harnessed to deliver safe, efficient, and personalised care. You will champion cutting-edge initiatives such as Joint Analytics for Cancer (JAC), our flagship platform unlocking real-time insights for clinical decision-making, research, and operational excellence. You will shape systems that integrate care, research, and innovation to keep The Christie at the forefront of cancer treatment.

If you are passionate about transforming healthcare through digital innovation and want to make a lasting impact on patient outcomes, join us and help build the hospital of the future.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

Lead the development and delivery of a Trust-wide digital strategy aligned with national priorities.

Digital Strategy & Transformation Develop and implement the Trust's digital strategy, ensuring systems support integrated care, research, and performance improvement. Champion innovation, including AI and machine learning, to enable evidence-based decision-making and personalised care and deliver the ambition of the Future Christie programme.

• Lead digital service delivery across software development, clinical applications, infrastructure, user support, and cybersecurity
• Ensure robust digital governance and compliance with NHS and legal standards. Provide assurance to the Senior Management Committee and act as delegated Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) when required
• Manage and support the Digital Services team, including deputy CIO, Chief Clinical Information Officers, and departmental leads. Foster a culture of collaboration and digital literacy across clinical and operational teams

What We're Looking For

We’re seeking a visionary leader with proven digital experience in senior data leadership, ideally in healthcare or the public sector. You will have strategic insight and technical expertise in data platforms, governance, and analytics and a passion for innovation, curiosity, and solving complex system-wide challenges. You will have the ability to influence at executive level and inspire multidisciplinary teams and a commitment to equity and sustainability.

About Us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. Based in Manchester, we serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, with national referrals. We provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy, highly specialist surgery, and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are a global leader in research with a long history of breakthroughs and run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe.

Details

Date posted: 02 February 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 9

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

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 413-102766-SNR

Job location: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX

Job Responsibilities

CORPORATE Contribute as a member of the Senior Management Committee; provide updates to the board on digital strategy, programmes and risks; undertake SIRO role; support Information Governance and Caldicott panels; brief Senior Management Committee and Future Christie Director/Medical Director on benefits/risks of new digital projects; ensure relationships within and outside the organisation; participate in CIO networks; produce action plans and policies for risk management, audit, controls assurance, health & safety and information governance.

STRATEGY Develop and lead the digital strategy aligned to the trust strategy and clinical/research/education needs; stay up to date on digital trends and opportunities to improve services.

DIGITAL SERVICES PROVISION Ensure modern digital infrastructure, software and services; oversee digital service desk; manage digital assets; maintain digital security; support and develop core clinical systems including procurement and implementation to maximise benefits and patient care.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Collaborate with the Chief Data Officer; oversee data storage and integration approaches; manage external vendors; oversee project management services supporting digital strategy delivery.

GOVERNANCE Implement digital governance compliant with legal/NHS requirements; maintain digital risk register; manage incidents; ensure IS/DP/FOI compliance; ensure DSPT compliance; plan and test Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity; oversee ISOs; maintain Information Asset Register with the CDO.

MANAGEMENT OF THE DIGITAL SERVICE Lead the digital services team within policies and financial controls; manage budget; plan and maintain digital systems and operations; manage software development; implement digital policies.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONDUCT Uphold NHS values; maintain professional knowledge; follow NHS Managers’ Code of Conduct; ensure access to information during absences; support workforce development initiatives.

ON CALL Participate in the Digital Services on-call rota.

Person Specification

Essential – Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in an informatics-related subject or equivalent experience
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development in digital transformation, information governance, or technology leadership

Desirable – Qualifications

• Healthcare management or business qualification
• Certifications in project management (PRINCE2), enterprise architecture (TOGAF), information security (CISSP, ISO 27001), cloud solutions (AWS/GCP), or IT service management (ITIL)
• Membership or fellowship of relevant professional bodies

Essential – Knowledge & Skills

• Senior-level experience in Digital Services; NHS experience preferred
• Experience leading digital services and programmes with business/clinical process change
• Proven leadership of large IT/informatics teams and budgets (>£5m)
• Innovative, with a track record of delivering measurable benefits
• Ability to influence senior leaders and partner with external organisations
• Experience with third-party suppliers and complex contract negotiations

Desirable – Knowledge

• Experience in ICS or regional digital programmes
• Exposure to research/innovation initiatives, including AI and analytics
• Vendor management and procurement of large-scale digital solutions
• Experience with SIRO role and information governance reporting

Essential – Skills

• Strong leadership, management and motivational skills
• Effective communication with clinical and non-technical audiences
• Project/programme management capabilities
• Excellent planning, analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to prioritise, manage deadlines, and work independently or in a team
• Ability to translate complex information for non-technical staff

Desirable – Skills

• Creative thinking and ability to foster an environment for teams to flourish

Essential – Knowledge (NHS)

• Deep understanding of NHS digital priorities, interoperability standards, GDPR, and DSP Toolkit
• Cybersecurity risk management, resilience planning, and business continuity
• Understanding of how digital supports high-quality patient care and service improvement
• Knowledge of NHS data definitions, reporting and data quality standards
• Understanding of ICT security standards

Desirable – Knowledge

• Regulations governing Safety of Health Systems
• Procurement processes within NHS and Europe

Other

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to applicable background checks; a Disclosure to the DBS will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration for details.

Employer details
The Christie NHS FT, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX
Employer's website: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/