Director of Digital Delivery Centre

NHS; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a strategic leader for the Digital Delivery Centre, responsible for driving innovation and excellence in digital services critical to national healthcare. This role requires expertise in DDaT functions, strategic leadership abilities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in shaping NHS services.

Benefits

27 days annual leave, rising to 29 after five years

Excellent pension with 23.7% employer contribution

Wellbeing and inclusion networks

NHS Car Lease Scheme

Wide range of benefits and discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in leading complex DDaT functions.
• Senior public sector leadership experience.
• Ability to manage large budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for NHSBSA's digital services.
• Ensure governance and compliance in service delivery.
• Lead major strategic projects and transformations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership in significant change initiatives

Championing diversity and inclusion

Risk management

Collaboration

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Masters degree in relevant field

Business qualification (e.g., MBA)

Programme and Project Management certifications (Prince2, MSP, Agile, SAFE)

IT Service Management (ITIL)

Job description

Join the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in a pivotal leadership role, leading the Digital Delivery Centre to shape and deliver a complex agenda including delivery management, user-centred design, software and cloud engineering, and solution design.

Our Digital Delivery Centre is the engine room running our digital products and services, working on some of the NHS's largest national systems such as NHS Pensions and NHS Jobs, ensuring capacity and capability are fit now and in the future.

You will be responsible for robust delivery governance, adhering to internal and national delivery approaches, including Government Service Design standards. Your role involves digitising services through leading-edge technology to deliver taxpayer value and NHS savings for reinvestment in front-line care.

We offer flexible hybrid working, with the office based in Newcastle upon Tyne, requiring in-person attendance multiple times a week. Interviews are scheduled for 8th & 9th July in Newcastle.

What do we offer?

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 29 after five years and 33 after ten years, plus public holidays
• Excellent pension with 23.7% employer contribution
• Wellbeing and inclusion networks
• NHS Car Lease Scheme
• Wide range of benefits and discounts

Main duties of the job

As a senior leader and member of the NHSBSA Leadership Team, reporting to the Chief DDaT Officer, you'll deliver sustainable transformation and harness the benefits of providing national at-scale services.

Responsible for DDaT professions in User-Centred Design, Software Engineering, Solution Design/Architecture, Cloud Engineering, and Delivery Management, you'll develop strategies to drive professional excellence, including compliance with government standards.

Ensure delivery platforms and processes are fit for purpose, working with suppliers to meet system requirements and standards.

Embed a service design culture focused on user experience, accessibility, and inclusion, leading the creation of a user need-led delivery culture based on UCD principles.

Align service delivery, workforce planning, and operational excellence strategically, champion continuous improvement, oversee governance, risk, and compliance, and develop service insights and complex data to evaluate and improve current models and identify future opportunities.

Lead complex change and transformation plans, navigating sensitive environments.

About us

The NHSBSA manages the NHS Pension scheme, processes prescription payments, and provides services used by NHS organisations, contractors, and the public. We design services around customer needs, empowering our staff to grow their careers, and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and flexible working.

We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive environment where every colleague is valued. Join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS and helping people live longer, healthier lives.

Job responsibilities

Refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details. The Digital Delivery Centre is responsible for the inception, operation, and retirement of digital services, including delivery management, UCD, software, and cloud engineering, working in cross-functional squads using Agile and Waterfall approaches.

The Director will ensure capacity and capability meet current and future demands, maintain robust delivery governance, and adhere to standards such as UK Government Service Design.

The role includes managing a matrix team of People Managers, aligning with organisational priorities, and supporting our aspiration to be the best place to work.

Accountabilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership to enable delivery of NHSBSA strategy and business plans.
• Ensuring platforms and processes are fit for purpose and standards are met.
• Leading digital service delivery, ensuring excellence in design and operations.
• Developing capabilities, applying good governance, and implementing performance metrics.
• Embedding a user-centred service design culture.
• Horizon scanning for emerging practices and leading adoption of new approaches.
• Using data to inform decisions, evaluate models, and identify improvements.
• Leading major strategic projects and acting as SRO where appropriate.

Transformation, Innovation & Stakeholder Influence

Lead large-scale change, foster a culture of innovation, and manage complex stakeholder relationships with political acumen. Align internal and external partners to NHSBSA's mission and secure commitments to shared goals.

Leadership responsibilities

Provide advice, strategic reports, and briefings to senior stakeholders, ensuring the organisation benefits from innovations, remains future-proof, and aligned with best practices.

Person Specification

Experience

• Leading similar DDaT functions and managing complex budgets
• Senior leadership in the public sector

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience, plus business qualification (e.g., MBA)
• Masters degree in relevant field
• Programme and Project Management certifications (Prince2, MSP, Agile, SAFE)
• IT Service Management (ITIL)

Personal qualities, knowledge & skills

• Championing people, talent management, diversity, and inclusion
• Fostering collaboration and accountability
• Strategic thinking and risk management
• Leadership in significant change initiatives
• Coaching and mentoring at leadership level
• Working beyond comfort zones