Senior Digital Programme Lead – Flexible NHS Transformation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Digital Programme Lead to drive major digital transformation across the organisation. The role leads delivery of high-impact digital programmes including Electronic Patient Record development, enterprise network replacement, and clinical and corporate system implementation.

The post holder will manage multiple interdependent projects across Trust boundaries, ensuring strong delivery discipline, clear outcomes and measurable benefits.

Qualifications

• Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2 or similar).
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience; programme management focus preferred).
• Master’s level qualification or equivalent senior-level experience.
• In depth specialist technical knowledge of implementing/using IT systems in healthcare.
• Familiarity with standard project methodologies and good knowledge of programme management.
• Delivering healthcare projects on time and within budget in complex environments.
• Clinical or administrative process improvement experience.
• Benefits identification and benefits management (strong understanding).
• Risk management (excellent understanding).
• Integrated clinical safety and Information Governance requirements into programme plans and critical paths.
• Established and chaired programme level governance.
• Led SOC/OBC/FBC development and approval, secured investment, and oversaw benefits realisation to closure.

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will provide senior leadership and accountability for end-to-end delivery of complex digital programmes, ensuring alignment with Group priorities, clinical strategy and organisational goals.
• They will lead multiple interdependent projects across Trust boundaries, managing sequencing, dependencies and coherent delivery.
• A strong focus on outcomes is essential, with responsibility for defining, tracking and realising programme-level benefits.
• The role includes managing capital budgets, ensuring accurate reporting and optimal use of funding, as well as overseeing key supplier relationships and holding vendors to account during delivery.
• The post holder will act as the senior delivery interface for executive, clinical, operational and digital leaders, offering clear assurance, progress updates and escalation.
• They will proactively manage risks, issues and constraints, applying structured problem-solving and timely escalation.
• Strong governance, assurance and reporting are required, alongside the ability to exercise autonomous professional judgement.
• The role also involves leading and mentoring programme and project management teams, strengthening delivery capability and driving continuous improvement across the Digital Programmes portfolio.
• They will contribute to maturing programme practices and champion professional development and digital advocacy across the organisation.

Skills

Project management

Digital transformation

Healthcare IT

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master’s degree or equivalent

Programme management focus

Job description

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Digital Programme Lead to drive major digital transformation across the organisation. The role leads delivery of high-impact digital programmes including Electronic Patient Record development, enterprise network replacement, and clinical and corporate system implementation.

The post holder will manage multiple interdependent projects across Trust boundaries, ensuring strong delivery discipline, clear outcomes and measurable benefits.