Head of People Digital Transformation

UHCW; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust seeks a Head of People Digital Transformation to lead the People Directorate's digital, data and AI agenda and shape the future workforce strategy.

You will drive large-scale programmes, develop advanced analytics and oversee governance, risk and compliance while collaborating with leaders and partners to improve workforce outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as digital transformation, workforce analytics, organisational development or data.
• Formal qualification in AI, Data Science, or Digital Transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the People Directorate Digital, Data and AI long term Strategy.
• Lead complex digital transformation and automation programmes across the Directorate.
• Develop advanced workforce analytics, predictive modelling and insights capabilities.
• Drive AI adoption in a safe, ethical and transparent manner.
• Build digital capability and data literacy across the People function.
• Collaborate with operational leaders, People Business Partners, Digital and Informatics teams, and external partners.
• Ensure robust governance, information management, risk management and compliance across all programmes.

Skills

Digital transformation

AI adoption

Workforce analytics

Programme leadership

Governance & risk

Data literacy

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in data/digital/workforce analytics

Formal qualification in AI, Data Science, or Digital Transformation

Job description

Band 8b (subject to formal job evaluation)

Shape the Future of Workforce Digital Transformation

Are you passionate about using digital innovation, data, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform workforce services?

UHCW is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of People Digital Transformation to lead our People Directorate's digital, data and AI agenda. This is a unique opportunity to influence how one out Trust harnesses technology to improve workforce outcomes, employee experience and organisational performance.

As a senior leader within the People Directorate, you will develop and deliver our long-term Digital, Data and AI Strategy, leading large-scale transformation programmes that drive innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement across workforce services.

Reporting to the Associate Director of People, you will provide strategic leadership for digital transformation initiatives across the People Directorate, ensuring alignment with Trust priorities, workforce transformation programmes and national NHS digital standards.

Main duties of the job

You will:

• Lead the development and implementation of the People Directorate Digital, Data and AI Strategy.
• Deliver complex digital transformation and automation programmes.
• Develop advanced workforce analytics, predictive modelling and insight capabilities.
• Drive the adoption of AI technologies in a safe, ethical and transparent manner.
• Build digital capability and data literacy across the People function.
• Work collaboratively with operational leaders, People Business Partners, Digital and Informatics teams, and external partners.
• Ensure robust governance, information management, risk management and compliance across all programmes.

We are looking for an innovative and influential leader with a strong track record of delivering transformational change through digital technologies and data-driven solutions.

You will have Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as digital transformation, workforce analytics, organisational development or data and have significant experience leading complex digital transformation or analytics programmes.

Interview Date Monday 16 th November 2026

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver the People Directorate Digital, Data and AI long term Strategy, aligned to Trust and national priorities.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on digital innovation, AI adoption, and workforce analytics.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear, deliverable programmes and measurable outcomes.
• You will line manage an allocated Digital Developer and/or provide expert support and guidance to people directorate colleagues.
• Lead complex, large-scale digital and AI-enabled transformation programmes across the People Directorate including financial oversight of allocated budget.
• Establish robust programme governance, including:
  • Benefits realisation frameworks
  • Risk management and controls
  • Reporting to senior governance forums
• Ensure delivery is aligned to UHCWi Lean principles, focusing on efficiency, standardisation, and value.

Advanced Analytics & Insight

• Lead the development of advanced workforce analytics capability, including:
  • Scenario planning and capacity modelling
  • Insight dashboards for operational and Board-level reporting
• Drive data-informed decision-making across the People Directorate.

For further details please see the attached job description. (Please note the Job Description and Person Specification is subject to Formal Job Evaluation.)

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. data, digital, workforce analytics, organisational transformation)
• Formal qualification in AI, Data Science, or Digital Transformation

Experience

• Experience within NHS or large public sector organisation
• Experience of supporting NHS Workforce Planning and NHS Oversight Framework (NOF)
• Significant experience leading complex digital transformation or analytics programmes
• Experience of delivering automation or data-led service improvements at scale.
• Experience of implementing AI-enabled solutions in operational settings.

Knowledge

• Advanced analytics, predictive modelling, and data interpretation
• Automation technologies and process optimisation
• AI principles, deployment considerations, and ethical frameworks
• Programme and project management methodologies

Skills

• Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex data and emerging technologies
• Strong programme leadership and delivery capability
• Ability to translate technical solutions into practical operational improvements
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including Board-level presentation
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Advanced IT and data literacy (e.g. Excel, reporting tools, dashboards)
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop teams and stakeholders

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s values. (As detailed in UHCW’s Values in Action document below)
• Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience

To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.
The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Satpal Gill Job title Associate Director of People – Employment Services Email address [e-mail]