Deputy Director of Technology

Royal Berkshire; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust invites a senior technology leader to shape the technology foundations supporting safe, high‑quality patient care. As Deputy Director of Technology, you will set strategy, advise on risk and investment, lead EPR and digital programmes, and drive resilience and cyber controls across the estate.

You will build capable teams, ensure secure, sustainable delivery, and partner with executive leaders on major transformations that improve services and workstreams

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent senior experience in technology.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in senior technology leadership.
• Professional certifications in enterprise architecture, cloud, cyber security, IT service management or technology leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust's technology strategy and roadmap across infrastructure, cloud, networks, platforms and apps.
• Act as senior technical authority, setting standards for secure, scalable, interoperable solutions.
• Oversee operations, resilience, disaster recovery and technology controls.
• Provide technical leadership for EPR and major digital programmes.
• Guide investment, procurement and supplier management for value.
• Develop and mentor technology teams, fostering excellence.
• Ensure governance, risk and assurance with clear decision‑making.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Cyber security

Executive communication

Inclusive leadership

Risk management

Education

Master's degree

CPD in leadership

Professional certifications

Job description

This is a pivotal senior leadership opportunity to shape the technology foundations that support the Trust's services, workforce and delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.

As Deputy Director of Technology, you will be the Trust's senior accountable technology leader, providing strategic direction across its technology estate, architecture, platforms and technical capabilities. Reporting to the Chief Digital Information Officer, you will ensure services are secure, resilient and sustainable, enabling delivery of the Trust's Digital Strategy.

You will translate organisational priorities into a clear technology strategy and roadmap and act as the Trust's senior technical authority, providing expert advice on opportunities, risks, investment and major decisions. You will provide technical leadership and assurance for the Electronic Patient Record, infrastructure modernisation, major digital programmes and technology procurements.

You will drive operational excellence, resilience and continuous improvement, working across cyber security, information governance and clinical safety. You will lead and develop professional technology teams, building capability, accountability and a culture of technical excellence.

Combining strategic thinking, technical credibility and strong leadership, you will ensure technology enables safer services, supports colleagues and provides the secure and sustainable digital foundations for the Trust's future.

Main duties of the job

Technology Strategy & Direction - Lead the Trust's technology strategy and roadmap, translating organisational priorities into deliverable plans across infrastructure, cloud, networks, platforms, applications and emerging technology. Advise senior leaders on risk, investment and priorities.

Architecture & Technical Leadership - Act as senior technical authority, setting standards and ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, interoperable, clinically safe and sustainable.

Operations, Resilience & Cyber - Lead the performance and resilience of technology services, including lifecycle management, disaster recovery, business continuity and technology controls.

Digital Programmes & EPR - Provide technical leadership and assurance for EPR, infrastructure modernisation, major digital programmes and technology procurements.

Investment, Commercial & Suppliers - Lead technical input to investment and procurement, manage delegated budgets and strategic suppliers, and drive value for money.

People & Capability - Provide visible, inclusive leadership, building workforce capability, accountability, professional development and a culture of technical excellence.

Governance, Risk & Assurance - Oversee technology risk, technical debt, resilience and end-of-life exposure, providing clear assurance to senior governance and ensuring robust technology decision-making.

About us

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

We support flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis taking into account service requirements, operational needs and the requirements of the role.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job responsibilities

See the attached JD for the fullest range of the role.

There is key focus on the technical knowledge and skills within the role, but senior leadership is central to the role and delivery of the fullest range of services and responsibilities

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

• Master's degree or equivalent senior professional experience in technology, digital or a related discipline
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to senior technology leadership.
• Relevant professional certification in enterprise architecture, cloud, cyber security, IT service management or technology leadership.

Experience

• Substantial senior leadership experience with accountability for complex, business-critical technology services and diverse professional teams.
• Successful development and execution of enterprise technology strategies, roadmaps and architectures.
• Strong track record of improving service performance, infrastructure resilience, continuity, lifecycle management and operational control.
• Technical leadership and assurance of major transformation programmes and procurements.
• Management of multimillion-pound budgets, investment cases, strategic suppliers and commercial negotiations.
• Experience of working with executive leaders and presenting complex technology risk and investment choices clearly.
• Experience of workforce planning, capability development and leadership through significant change.
• Executive-level experience in a large healthcare or similarly safety-critical organisation.
• Experience of EPR or major clinical systems transformation
• Experience of major service insourcing, outsourcing or transition.
• Experience of regional or multi-organisational architecture and shared services.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Expert knowledge of enterprise technology architecture, infrastructure, platforms, integration, cloud and service operations.
• Strong understanding of cyber security, information governance, clinical safety, technology risk and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to translate organisational priorities into coherent and deliverable technology strategy and investment plans
• Highly developed analytical, commercial, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance strategic direction, operational performance, affordability and risk.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication, including with Board and executive audiences.
• Inclusive leadership style with the ability to build accountable, collaborative and high-performing teams.
• Ability to challenge constructively and make sound decisions in complex and ambiguous circumstances.
• Knowledge of NHS architecture and interoperability standards.
• Knowledge of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West system arrangements.

Other

• Results and outcome focused.
• Able to work under pressure and respond flexibly to unpredictable demands.
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships across organisational and professional boundaries.
• Willingness to work flexibly where required by the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience of deputising at executive or Board level.

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.