Delivery Lead in Sheffield

At Data Connect, a Centre of Excellence within The University of Sheffield, we facilitate researcher access to vital health and social care data, directly contributing to research that enhances and saves lives. We are seeking a talented, strategic Delivery Lead to oversee the delivery of a portfolio of complex health data assets. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of academia and healthcare innovation, working closely with the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment (YHSDE) programme and specifically supporting the South Yorkshire Delivery Team.

This role acts as the key bridge between Data Connect, the SY ICB, and the YHSDE; you will work across organisational boundaries to simplify complex data access and delivery processes. You will act as the key orchestrator for our team, translating researcher needs into actionable development plans, breaking down complex engineering and information governance requirements, and ensuring the seamless flow of our data pipelines.

If you have experience leading multidisciplinary teams, thrive in dynamic and evolving environments, and want to be at the forefront of health data research, then we want to hear from you.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery lifecycle of complex health data assets, ensuring seamless progress from initial request to final output.
• Proactively identify project risks and resolve delivery bottlenecks by convening technical and governance experts.
• Manage team capacity and resource allocation across the active portfolio in collaboration with other Data Connect Project Managers.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the YHSDE programme, ensuring South Yorkshire delivery is fully integrated with central functions through regular regional engagement (including travel to Leeds and York).
• Act as the primary interface between researchers, regional stakeholders, and the internal Data Connect technical teams.
• Create, foster and manage new relationships with NHS trusts and other Data owner organisations.
• Translate complex Information Governance (IG) frameworks and regional policies into actionable development tasks for the team.
• Translate complex research objectives into technical requirements, while effectively managing stakeholder expectations around technical or governance constraints.
• Lead the design and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to create a scalable, repeatable data request framework aligned with the central SDE team.
• Embed Agile practices (sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives) within the team to optimise output and meet delivery milestones.
• Provide formal line management and mentorship to direct reports, supporting their professional development and managing day-to-day performance.
• Use data-driven operational insights to contribute to the long‑term service design and evolution of Data Connect.

The role will also require engagement with activities within the faculty of Health to share skills, knowledge and experience more widely to improve how we work together to meet the strategic objective of the University as a whole.

Person Specification

• Proven capability to manage a complex portfolio using Agile planning techniques (sprints, stand‑ups and retrospectives), effectively balancing competing demands on team capacity against challenging deadlines. (Essential)
• Experience planning future delivery strategy and shaping the team, with the flexibility to pivot on agreed plans and fix things when they go wrong. Proven ability to show the strategic value of work to gain stakeholder buy‑in. (Essential)
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and communicate with clarity when engaging with senior staff, clinical leads, and external data providers, effectively translating complex technical constraints and requirements into aligned project scopes. (Essential)
• Have an enabling, supportive, and collaborative leadership style, and foster a high‑performing team culture. (Essential)
• Ability to develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and streamlined workflows to improve service efficiency and user experience. (Essential)
• Proven ownership of risk management, with the ability to not only identify and track complex project risks, but actively mitigate and resolve them. Experience in navigating the intersection of technical delivery and information governance to safely clear blockers and ensure compliance. (Essential)
• Ability to stay ahead of changing national data policies and a willingness to keep upskilling. Experienced at building professional networks to bring fresh insights into the team's delivery strategy. (Essential)
• Experience of managing multidisciplinary technical teams (e.g., data engineers, developers) and a proven ability to continuously improve their working processes and output quality. (Essential)
• Experience working with Sensitive Data and experience of working within Trusted Research Environments (TREs) or Secure Data Environments (SDEs), with a strong grasp of UK health data standards and NHS data governance frameworks. (Desirable)

Further Information

• Grade: 8
• Salary: £48,822 - £58,225 per annum pro rata with the potential to progress to £65,509 through sustained exceptional contribution.
• Work arrangement: Full‑time
• Duration: FTC – 12 Months – Anticipated start August 2026
• Line manager: Data Connect Operational Lead
• Direct reports: Data Scientist, Junior Data Scientist, Information Governance Manager, Data Manager

Next Steps in the Recruitment Process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late July. This will consist of an interview, with a test to be sent out beforehand to present at the interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage approximately 2 weeks after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact dph‑staffing‑.

What We Offer

• Minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies.
• Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
• Access to menopause support in the workplace.
• Paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
• And more.

Criminal Record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.

Disability Confident Leader

We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.