Chief Digital Information Officer

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Lead one of the NHS's most ambitious digital transformations. Digital is transforming healthcare. The opportunity is to ensure it transforms lives. At Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), we have made significant progress. We have invested in new clinical facilities, successfully implemented our Electronic Patient Record and continue to improve the quality, safety and experience of care for the diverse communities we serve. Today, more than 8,000 colleagues at BHRUT care for over one million people across North East London. Now we are looking for an exceptional Chief Digital Information Officer to help shape what comes next.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is one of the most influential digital leadership roles in the NHS. As a member of the Executive Team, you will help shape the future of our organisation—ensuring digital, data, technology and artificial intelligence become fundamental enablers of outstanding patient care, operational excellence and long-term sustainability. This is far more than a technology leadership role. It is an opportunity to position BHRUT as a recognised leader in digital healthcare across North East London and the wider NHS.

Main duties of the job

We're seeking an exceptional executive leader who combines strategic vision with operational delivery. You will have experience leading complex digital transformation within a large organisation, influencing Boards and Executive Teams, and delivering measurable organisational improvement through digital, data and technology. Most importantly, you'll understand that successful transformation starts with people. You'll be someone who inspires confidence, builds trusted relationships with clinicians and colleagues, and creates an environment where innovation is encouraged, evidence-based and focused on improving patient care. Whether your experience has been gained within the NHS or another complex, highly regulated organisation, you'll bring the leadership, credibility and ambition needed to help shape the future of healthcare.

The Opportunity

Our Electronic Patient Record has established a strong digital foundation. Your challenge will be to help us build on that success. You will shape our Digital, Data and AI Strategy, strengthen cyber resilience, optimise our digital platforms and ensure technology becomes an enabler of safer, simpler and more effective care. Strengthening regional partnerships and system collaboration will be a core way of working.

Working for our organisation

We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with. They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission. We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care. We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance. We run a Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. The majority of our 8,400 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Why BHRUT? This is a Trust with momentum. We've made significant progress, but we're ambitious about what comes next. You’ll join an Executive Team committed to improvement, collaboration and innovation, working in one of the UK's most diverse and dynamic healthcare systems. You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the future of one of London's largest acute NHS trusts.
• Lead a talented and committed Digital, Data and Informatics workforce.
• Influence digital strategy across North East London.
• Harness the potential of AI responsibly to improve care.
• Deliver meaningful improvements for patients, staff and our communities.
• Leave a lasting legacy in one of the NHS's most important digital leadership roles.

Join us

This is a rare opportunity to lead digital transformation at scale. If you believe digital technology should make healthcare safer, simpler and more human and you have the vision, courage and leadership to make that happen – we would be delighted to hear from you. Together, we’ll shape the future of healthcare in North East London.

If you have any questions about the application process, require support in completing your application, or need any adjustments (for example, due to a disability), please contact Bali Dhani, Recruitment Manager via email Balvinder.dhani@nhs.net or 01708 435000 ext. 5718. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Fiona Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer (Interim) – fiona.wheeler@nhs.net

Closing date: 23 August 2026

Interview date: 7 September 2026

Person specification

Education

Professional qualification in IT or Informatics or IM&T or equivalent to demonstrate subject matter expertise.

Skills/ Abilities

• Demonstrable executive leadership across organisational boundaries.
• Evidence of creating organisational cultures that embrace digital transformation.
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements in quality, productivity and financial sustainability through digital.

Experience/ Knowledge

• Demonstrable evidence of leadership experience gained in an organisation of scale and complexity, with experience of working at or near Board level or with Board colleagues.
• Evidence of having delivered system-wide digital change in a challenging, multi-stakeholder environment, with the capability to work in close collaboration with clinical and service line leaders.
• Track record in leading and developing digital and information strategies in complex, customer oriented environments as well as experience of managing substantial revenue and capital budgets.
• Experience of the delivery of a complex digital strategy (both technical and delivery focused) in a medium/large organisation (preferably within healthcare).

Before you apply

Using AI

We recognise that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support their job applications and welcome the responsible use of these technologies. AI can be a useful tool to help organise your thoughts, improve the structure of your application and support your preparation. However, your application should remain an authentic and accurate reflection of your skills, experience, and knowledge. We encourage you to review the person specification carefully and provide clear examples that demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Any information submitted as part of your application must be accurate, truthful, and based on your experience. Throughout our recruitment process, we value honesty, integrity, and authenticity. We want to understand what you can bring to BHRUT, so please ensure that your application reflects your own capabilities and achievements. AI should not be used to misrepresent your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Flexible working

We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working or job sharing where service needs allow.

Pre-employment checks

Please provide references from your current or most recent employer, including your line manager or supervisor. Successful applicants will also be required to complete pre-employment checks, including identity verification through TrustID and any role-specific clearances.

Certificate of Sponsorship

In line with UKVI guidance, we are unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for Band 2 and Band 3 roles.

Recruitment process

We may close vacancies before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. All communication regarding your application will be sent by email, so please check your inbox and junk folder regularly.

Inclusion

BHRUT is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Applicants who declare a disability under the Equality Act 2010 or identify as a Care Leaver and choose to be considered under our Disability Confident or Care Leaver schemes will be guaranteed an interview where they meet the essential criteria.

Safeguarding

BHRUT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. All employees are expected to share this commitment and follow the Trust's safeguarding policies.

Smoke-free Trust

BHRUT is a smoke-free Trust. All employees are expected to comply with our smoke-free policy.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. There’s never been a better time to join the team. We have a wide range of flexible, temporary and part-time opportunities.