Deputy Chief Data Officer (Interim)

Job Summary

CV Recruitment - We want to make applications for this role as easy as possible! Please apply using your CV.

As a Deputy Chief Data Officer, accountable to the Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO and Chief Data Officer to the HRA), you will ensure that the HRA can use research regulatory approval data to make better decisions, policies and services. You will be responsible for the strategic and professional leadership of Research Systems Programme (RSP)-related data, working in partnership with Company Secretary (DPO) to create an environment where data protection and privacy are balanced with access, sharing, interoperability and innovation. As Deputy Chief Data Officer, you will be the recognised professional lead for research regulatory approval data and analytics at the HRA.

Main duties of the job

• Define a vision and strategy for research regulatory approval data that enables the organisation to achieve its objectives and aligns with wider government data strategy.
• Lead the programme in implementing the data strategy.
• Work with senior leaders to align priorities and secure their support.
• Determine the data and data technology that the programme needs and the strategy for sourcing it.
• Collaborate with the IG team to ensure data can be easily used, reused and shared by those who need it.
• Contribute to the Data Quality Forum to improve the quality of data used across the programme.
• Collaborate with the DPO to ensure the organisation uses data ethically and complies with data standards and regulations.
• Increase data literacy and ensure data is properly managed by coaching the whole organisation.
• Collaborate with the DPO and Cyber Security Lead to work with cyber security to ensure data is secure or retained appropriately while staying accessible and controllable.
• Ensure the organisation has people with the level of data skills it needs.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.

We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:

• Age
• Disability
• Ethnicity
• Gender identity and expression
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Other diverse characteristics

We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us.

Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.

Date posted: 17 April 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8c
Salary: £74,290 to £85,601 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 25 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 980-HRA7141853-C
Job locations: Nottingham
Equinox House, City Link
Nottingham
NG2 4LA

Job Description

Job responsibilities

This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA's portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems.

The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

In submitting your application with us, please note the following:

• We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.
• We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.
• Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted.
• The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Person Specification
Qualifications Essential

• Educated to master's level (or equivalent experience) in Data Informatics or a related discipline.
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development related to technical understanding of data architecture and standards in a complex environment.

Desirable

• Portfolio or Programme Management qualification (or equivalent experience).

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential

• Extensive knowledge of planning and implementing complex transformational programmes in a health and care context.
• Professional understanding of data architecture and standards design.
• Advanced technical and specialist knowledge in data and informatics.
• Understanding of the development and implementation of strategies within a continually changing highly complex environment.
• Understanding of legislation and its impact on Informatics services.

Experience Essential

• Strong track record of effective internal and external partnership working.
• Strong financial management experience.
• Significant experience in governance, risk appraisal and management of risk.
• Recent NHS experience in data and informatics.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential

• Proven track record of achieving complex targets and deadlines.
• Exceptional strategic planning and analytical skills; able to make judgements about highly complex facts or situations.
• Ability to deal with diverse demands and expectations.

Interpersonal Skills Essential

• Strong negotiating skills and evidence of creating consensus in potentially hostile environments.
• Excellent communicator who can command the respect and confidence of both technical and non-technical staff.
• Ability to act as a leader in both formal and informal situations; Strong leader, motivator, and communicator.

Experience Essential

• Significant experience of working in a senior leadership position, reporting to Board or equivalent level.
• Significant experience of leading large, highly complex programmes or services within a complex organisational environment.
• Significant experience of strategy development and implementation, business case development, and leading a change management agenda.

Other Essential

• Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity.

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Health Research Authority
Address: Nottingham
Equinox House, City Link
Nottingham
NG2 4LA
Employer's website: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/