Deputy Director Technology Services - UKHSA - SCS1 in Manchester

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Location: Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London – Canary Wharf (Core HQs)

About The Job

The Deputy Director for Technology Services will be responsible for leading the Technology Estate for UKHSA, including the delivery of software and infrastructure platforms and technical operations. They will be accountable for Workplace Platforms – office productivity, end‑user devices, identity, telecoms, and for the resilience, security and cost‑effective provision of these services. They will also be responsible for UKHSA’s Infrastructure and Networks, including on‑premises hosting, data centre services, operating system management, LAN, Corporate WAN, Corporate WiFi, and secure access capability.

The role is accountable for IT Service Management, leading the provision of the common 1st line service desk, 2nd line on‑site support teams, service delivery design and management, and continual service improvement. This role has 4 direct reports and a wider team of approximately 100 full‑time staff, and expects the holder to manage consultancy services teams, managed services suppliers, and bear full accountability for budget, capability, and service.

Key Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to think strategically in terms of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) Group, operating model, governance, risk, security, resilience, tooling, partners, cost, performance, and transformation.
• They will demonstrate sound judgement in service integration, incident resolution, technical troubleshooting, change management, and in managing third‑party commercial relationships.
• As a senior member of the Security, Data and Protection Services Directorate, the holder will contribute to UKHSA’s overall CDO strategy, lead the function, and engage key stakeholders within and outside UKHSA.
• The holder will define UKHSA’s product/platform offer to meet business strategy, manage and improve the security, cost‑effectiveness, availability, and resilience of workplace applications, ITSM, infrastructure, networks, and transitional service agreements.
• They will build, lead, and develop an inclusive, high‑performing Technology Services team.
• The holder will also support priority programmes such as the Trust Programme, ensuring compliance with the Data Security Protection Toolkit and Cyber Assessment Framework.

Workplace, Infrastructure & Networks and ITSM budget holder. Lead resilient, secure, and cost‑effective infrastructure platforms and technical operations. Lead the Technology Estate for UKHSA, coordinating with Deputy Director Cyber Security. Ensure the secure provision of the Workplace offer, including Microsoft 365 and Windows devices. Provision and management of identity and access management services (Microsoft Entra). Networking services: LAN, WAN, WiFi, secure access, IoT connectivity. ITSM: 1st and 2nd line support, delivery design, continual improvement. Capability, technical architecture and services to support strategy. Ensure stability, resilience and security across the estate, compliance with policies. Set direction for Technology Services development and delivery. Overarching accountability for software, infrastructure platforms and technical operations. Procure, supply and negotiate technology goods and services. Manage lifecycle of all technology services related products/platforms/infrastructure. Develop UKHSA’s technology capability and guide priorities. Accountable for quality of technology products, platforms, infrastructure and services. Adopt a portfolio view, manage end‑to‑end services. Operate at scale, connecting business areas and stakeholders.

Additional Areas of Accountability

Internal stakeholders include the Chief Data Officer, Director of Digital and Data, CDO SLT peers, UKHSA CEO, and other ExCo members. External stakeholders include government departments (CDD, DHSC, NHSE, GDS), devolved administrations, international bodies, private sector leaders, and academic research bodies.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A degree in a computing‑related or technical field (Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering) or equivalent practical experience.
• Track record of transforming a traditional IT organisation to a modern products/cloud‑first approach, migrating legacy infrastructure and applications to the cloud, optimising hybrid multi‑cloud environments.
• Passionate advocate for customer outcomes, with evidence of step changes and continuous improvements.
• Significant senior‑level leadership experience, demonstrating strong leadership and people management skills.
• Proactive problem‑solver, with advanced critical and strategic thinking skills, strong attention to detail, and deep understanding of business processes integration.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience responding to assurance and audit requirements, particularly DSPT/DFSPT‑CAF or CAF.
• Experience working within a health organisation, with appreciation for prioritisation and clinical response.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.