Head of Digital Portfolio and Delivery

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust; Saltaire; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust seeks a strategic Head of Digital Portfolio & Delivery to shape how digital and AI technologies transform care. You will lead the Digital Product function across clinical apps, EPR, automation and innovation, delivering measurable benefits for patients and staff.

You will join as Deputy CIO, guiding Digital Services and shaping the Trust's future digital direction, with a strong focus on product management, prioritisation and delivery.

Qualifications

• Masters level or equivalent in a digital, technology, or health informatics discipline.
• SFIA Level 6/7 certification or equivalent.
• Experience preparing NHS-style business cases and investment proposals.
• Substantial experience leading digital product development in complex health or public sector environments.

Responsibilities

• Set a clear strategic direction and translate it into priorities, investment decisions and roadmaps.
• Lead complex digital or clinical systems programmes from procurement to delivery and benefits realisation.
• Inspire and develop multidisciplinary teams with an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Build trusted relationships with senior clinical, operational, technical and executive stakeholders.
• Communicate complex information to technical and non-technical audiences, including Board level.
• Manage significant budgets, business cases, commercial arrangements and supplier performance.
• Balance clinical needs with organisational priorities and financial constraints.

Education

Masters level or equivalent in digital, technology or health informatics

SFIA Level 6/7 certification or equivalent

Job description

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Digital Portfolio and Delivery

The closing date is 15 November 2026

We are looking for an ambitious and experienced digital leader to join Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust as our Head of Digital Portfolio & Delivery. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how we use digital technology, artificial intelligence, automation and innovation to improve care and transform the way our services work. You will lead our Digital Product function and a broad portfolio spanning digital products, clinical applications, EPR, AI and automation, innovation and digital transformation, ensuring our investment in technology delivers measurable benefits for patients, staff and services. Working closely with clinical, operational and corporate leaders, you will translate new technologies and ideas into practical improvements while strengthening our approach to product management, prioritisation and delivery.

As our designated Deputy Chief Information Officer, you will also play an important role in the wider leadership of Digital Services and in shaping the Trust's future digital direction.

You will be a strategic and systems thinker who is collaborative, resilient, transparent and adaptable. You will combine professional credibility with sound judgement, constructive challenge and a genuine commitment to using digital technology to improve care and the working lives of staff.

If you want to help shape how digital, AI and technology are used to transform healthcare, we would like to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an experienced and credible digital leader who can:

• Set a clear strategic direction and translate it into practical priorities, investment decisions and deliverable product roadmaps.
• Lead complex digital, EPR or clinical systems programmes from procurement through to implementation, optimisation and benefits realisation.
• Inspire, develop and support multidisciplinary teams, creating an inclusive culture built on collaboration, accountability and psychological safety.
• Build trusted relationships and influence senior clinical, operational, technical and executive stakeholders.
• Communicate complex or sensitive information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including at Board level.
• Manage significant budgets, business cases, commercial arrangements and supplier performance.
• Balance clinical needs, organisational priorities, technical opportunities, financial constraints and national requirements.
• Lead confidently through ambiguity, competing demands and organisational change.
• Apply sound knowledge of digital product management, clinical safety, information governance, cybersecurity and relevant NHS digital standards.
• Maintain a strong focus on patient outcomes, service quality, productivity and value for money.

Shortlisting: w/c 16th November 2026

Interviews: w/c 7th December 2026 TBC

About us

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -

We Care- We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference

We Listen- We understand people's views and respond to their individual needs

We Deliver- We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners

We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :

Increase mileage rates for > 4500

A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages

A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities

Plus many more.

We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.

Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.

Right to Work in the UK

Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.

Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.

As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent relevant experiential learning in a digital, technology, or health informatics discipline.
• SFIA Level 6/7 certification or equivalent.

Experience

• Experience of preparing and presenting NHS-style business cases and investment proposals.
• Substantial and demonstrable experience of leading digital product development and delivery programmes in a complex health, public sector, or regulated environment.
• Experience working in a mental health, community, or specialist NHS Trust.
• Experience of working within ICs or regional system-level digital programmes.
• Experience of leading joint or collaborative NHS procurement exercises.

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 name

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust