Director of Digital Operations

NHS; Salford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS organization in Salford seeks a Director of Digital Operations to oversee the digital transformation of services. The role involves managing IT operations and driving operational performance and standards across various services. Candidates should hold a Master's degree in IT and have significant experience in IT operations management. A competitive benefits package, including flexible working, is offered.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Competitive annual leave allowance

Protected hours for health and wellbeing activities

Qualifications

• Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of management development through CPD.
• Specialist training in Cyber Security, Risk Management, or PRINCE2.

Responsibilities

• Deputise operationally for the CDIO.
• Deliver the digital strategy.
• Establish high-quality digital service.
• Improve performance and security of technologies.
• Visible leadership for digital teams.

Skills

IT operations management

Cyber Security

Risk Management

PRINCE2

Management development

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in IT

Job description

Overview

Director of Digital Operations – Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 19 October 2025

The NCA Digital team is undertaking an ambitious and complex programme to bring together infrastructure, and operational support services from three legacy organisations to create a Single Digital Service for the NCA.

The Director for Digital Operations will play a significant role in managing elements of that process and building a positive culture around a new single team. Reporting to the Chief Digital and Information Officer you'll play a central role in delivering our ambitious digital transformation programmes across the organisation and work across Greater Manchester as we work together to drive digital convergence and improved patient care and services.

You will play a critical role in the NCA's Senior Digital Leadership Team, and be accountable for leading technical strategy and operational performance and standards across Infrastructure, Networks, Service Desk, End user Support and Cyber Security. You\'ll work hand in hand with colleagues across our Application Portfolio in support of our ambitious Electronic Patient Record Programme.

This is a role with true scale, influence and purpose. You\'ll act as the operational deputy for the CDIO at trust, regional and national level as needed.

Responsibilities

The Director of Digital Operations will support the CDIO in leading the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well-co-ordinated digital service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.

Duties will include:

• Deputise operationally for the CDIO
• Work with the CDIO to deliver the digital strategy
• Establishment and deliver exceptional levels of customer (digital service user) experience and service responsiveness, with a focus on purpose and the need to maximise service user productivity and effectiveness
• Improvement of performance, availability, reliability, and security, of service under-pinning technologies (Hosting & Data Centres, Compute, Storage, Networking, End User Computing)
• Visible leadership to the digital and information teams, deputising for the CDIO as required, and ensuring teams within their remit deliver on strategic, operational and regulatory objectives.
• Develop and deliver the technical strategy for the Trust in conjunction with the Head of Enterprise Architecture including, systems and security architecture, integration, cyber-security posture, Effective management, reporting, accountability and compliance for all aspects of Cyber & IT Security including compliance with law and guidance, and resolution of Cyber & IT security risks and law issues

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we\'re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack (opens in existing window)

Qualifications

• Educated to Master\'s degree level or equivalent, Degree or Equivalent in IT, ITSM
• Evidence of management development through Continuous Professional Development and/or formal management course
• Specialist training in areas such as: Cyber Security, Risk Management, PRINCE2, MSP

Professional Registration

• Relevant professional body registration

Knowledge, Training & Experience

• Significant relevant experience within IT operations environment including management of a significant Service with a high degree of complexity acquired through training and experience over extended period
• Recognised credible leader / Highly developed specialist knowledge and experience of managing IT Operation
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports of complex, sensitive or contentious information at senior forums
• Highly developed specialist knowledge and experience of managing IT Operations acquired over a significant period
• Demonstrable track record in delivering complex targets and objectives to tight deadlines
• Significant knowledge and experience of applying budgeting, benefits tracking and demand management principles to both capital and revenue allocations
• Significant knowledge and understanding of the NHS, including the political, strategic and operational environment in which it operates

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.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust