Data Manager

Health Innovation East; Washington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare innovation organization in the UK is seeking a Data Manager to centralize NHS data in a secure environment. The role requires expertise in data management, transformation, and compliance with regulations. Candidates should have experience working with NHS data, strong technical skills, and a focus on high-quality data. This position offers exciting opportunities to shape patient care through data innovation.

Benefits

27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Company pension (employer contribution up to 10%)

Life insurance after probation

Cycle to work scheme

Access to a confidential wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience working with NHS data in provider, commissioning, CSU/ICB, or NHS research environments.
• Strong understanding of how NHS data is stored and structured.
• Knowledge of UK data protection law and information governance.

Responsibilities

• Manage NHS patient datasets flowing into the SDE.
• Curate, clean, and transform NHS datasets into research-ready formats.
• Monitor and maintain NHS data pipelines.

Skills

Proficiency with Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)

Data cleaning, transformation, and validation of large-scale NHS datasets

Scripting in Python and/or R

Excellent spoken and written communication

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Education

BSc in computing, physics, biological sciences or similar subject

Job description

About Health Innovation East

Health Innovation East is the innovation arm of the NHS in the East of England. We support the introduction of innovative technologies, devices and care pathways to transform health and care. Our team works with start-ups, universities, global corporates and the NHS to ensure that the best innovations reach the people and places where they deliver the most benefit. We also have a growing team of programme managers, experts in real world evidence and data scientists who support technology-enabled patient care.

Role Purpose

The Data Manager will centralise NHS-originating data within the East of England Secure Data Environment (SDE). You will ensure data is securely ingested, curated, transformed, and made research-ready, with a focus on NHS operational and commissioning datasets (e.g. SUS, HES, GP data). You will understand data structures, coding standards, and lineage, transform and standardise datasets (including mapping to the OMOP model), and enable interoperability for high-quality secondary research use. You will work with NHS data providers, information teams and research partners to ensure data quality, integrity and governance compliance. You will catalogue datasets, maintain pipelines and provide first-line support for data queries, contributing to the trusted operation of the SDE.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage NHS patient datasets flowing into the SDE, including commissioning datasets (e.g. SUS, HES) and GP data extracts.
• Understand and apply NHS data models, structures, and coding standards (SNOMED CT, ICD-10, OPCS, NHS Data Model and Dictionary).
• Curate, clean, and transform NHS datasets into research-ready formats, including mapping to the OMOP common data model and other standards to support interoperability and large-scale research.
• Develop and maintain data dictionaries, catalogues, and transformation documentation for transparency and reproducibility.
• Monitor and maintain NHS data pipelines, collaborating on ETL/ELT processes.
• Provide first-line support for data queries from researchers and collaborators; escalate complex requests to senior data engineers as required.
• Collaborate with technical, engineering and programme delivery colleagues to ensure researchers have confidence in the SDE.
• Work with NHS data providers, commissioning teams and research partners to resolve data quality issues and ensure governance compliance.
• Ensure data handling complies with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, NHS Digital standards, and information governance for sensitive health data.
• Integrate NHS datasets with wider research and life sciences datasets and engage with wider Health Informatics projects to develop sustainable, scalable data platforms.
• Identify opportunities for automation, data standardisation and process improvement; represent the SDE at external data meetings and support data airlock activities related to research outputs.

Corporate Duties

Support the organisation in creating an environment that values risk management and high standards of health and safety. Comply with current data protection laws and the company data protection policies. Promote a collaborative working environment and a culture of innovation, participating in the appraisal process as required. Promote equal opportunities and ensure equality of treatment and opportunities for staff, colleagues, patients and others. Observe Health Innovation East’s Equality and Diversity policy in all work activities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential – BSc in computing, physics, biological sciences or a similar subject. Other qualifications with relevant experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Understanding and Experience

• Essential – Previous experience working with NHS data in provider, commissioning, CSU/ICB, or NHS research environments.
• Strong understanding of how NHS data is stored and structured; practical knowledge of processing, structuring and transforming NHS data into national datasets for commissioning and secondary use (e.g. SUS, HES).
• Familiarity with the NHS Data Model and Dictionary, and coding standards (SNOMED CT, ICD-10, OPCS). Experience mapping/transferring NHS data to common data models (e.g. OMOP).
• Awareness of UK data protection law and information governance for sensitive health data.
• Desirable – Experience working in a Secure Data Environment or similar trusted research environment.
• Experience integrating NHS commissioning data with research datasets. Knowledge of ISO27001, DSPT and/or other information security frameworks. Experience with metadata management tools and data cataloguing platforms.

Skills

• Proficiency with Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) and SQL.
• Experience in data cleaning, transformation, and validation of large-scale NHS datasets. Scripting in Python and/or R. Ability to design and document data pipelines and transformations.
• Excellent spoken and written communication, able to explain technical solutions to non-specialists.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Disposition and Aptitude

• Confident communicator; able to build relationships with NHS data providers and research partners.
• User-focused, committed to improving health outcomes through high-quality data.
• Collaborative and proactive, able to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams.

Key Information about the Role

Applicants must provide evidence of right to work in the UK at interview. Must be resident in the UK for the duration of the contract and able to attend the office for meetings (2-4 days per month). The role may require flexible hours to meet deadlines and occasional travel within the region and nationally.

Personal Development Responsibilities

Awareness of personal development needs and maintenance of a compliant professional portfolio where required.

Key Relationships

Internal: colleagues across Health Innovation East; External: partners including Industry (SMEs and large corporates), Academic partners, funding and investment organisations, ARC East of England, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts, Local Government, Integrated Care Systems and Boards, Third Sector Organisations, Patient Advisory Groups and Services.

Benefits of working at Health Innovation East

27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata). Company pension (employer contribution up to 10%), life insurance after probation, cycle to work scheme and access to a confidential wellbeing programme. Secondments stay on their employer terms and conditions.

How to Apply

To apply, submit your CV and a covering letter by Sunday 5 October at 11.59pm to [e-mail], specifying your motivation for applying and how you meet our person specification. Interviews will be held on Monday 20 October in person at our Cambridge office. For an informal discussion, please contact [e-mail].