Microsoft 365/NHS.net Connect Senior Lead in Dorchester

This role provides an opportunity to help define the cluster's strategic direction regarding Microsoft 365 and the NHS.net connect central tenant. As we merge Bath and North East Somerset ICB, Dorset ICB and Somerset ICB into a single organisation, you will have the chance to ensure that core business platforms are aligned to make the transition as smooth as possible.

You will engage with senior stakeholders to understand their requirements for collaboration, automation and emerging AI technologies within the Microsoft cloud environment and lead a small team to manage and embed these technologies within the new organisation and across Primary care in the region. You will be keen to lead change and ensure that these technologies are aligned to NHS best practice, GDPR, NHS data Security and Protection toolkit and other relevant standards. Success in this role will deliver a more productive workforce across both the ICB and Primary care estates with staff not only having the right tools in place but the knowledge of how to use them to deliver efficient healthcare services.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the Microsoft 365 and NHS.net Connect platforms across the ICB and primary care. Working closely with senior leaders, NHS England, technical partners and healthcare organisations, the postholder will drive digital transformation, ensuring modern collaboration, communication and productivity tools are deployed securely, effectively and in line with national NHS strategy. The role will champion innovation, including automation and AI, while influencing future platform development and helping organisations maximise the value of their digital investments.

Leading a team of Microsoft 365 specialists, the postholder will oversee service delivery, governance, licensing, supplier relationships and major transformation programmes. They will be responsible for modernising ways of working through the adoption of cloud technologies, digital processes and integrated collaboration solutions, while maintaining high standards of security, compliance and operational performance. The role combines strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and technical leadership to deliver measurable benefits for staff, patients and partner organisations across the health and care system.

Part of the Cluster Integrated Care System, with a formal merger planned for April 2027. Under the Model ICB Blueprint and the 10 Year Health Plan, ICBs will adopt a more strategic commissioning role, focusing on population needs, reducing inequalities, and delivering the three shifts as defined in the 10-year health plan, all while operating within strict financial limits.

The new organisation will operate on a larger scale with a revised vision and purpose, managing a commissioning budget of around 8 billion. Our role as a strategic commissioner is to transform our local NHS through exceptional commissioning and build an innovative health system fit for the 21st century that truly meets our communities' needs. Informed by high quality data and insights, we will radically re-imagine how we operate, making sure that every pound in our system delivers the best possible value for everyone we serve.

We will encourage and support our people to grow and develop new skills and embrace new agile ways of working. Everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas, seek feedback, and take part in creating a listening and learning culture where insight leads to improvement. We will work as a team of teams, collaborating across services and professions to deliver the best outcomes for our communities. You will be encouraged, and expected to model inclusive behaviours, valuing diverse perspectives and helping to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to thrive.

An experienced Technical Architect with the primary responsibility to lead the Microsoft 365 and NHS.net connect Transformation across the ICB, Primary Care and wider healthcare system. You will be required to define the local tactical and strategic Microsoft 365 & NHS.net connect roadmap and support the subsequent implementation and continued evolution of the solutions within the programme. You MUST have a background in delivering Microsoft 365 migration and transformation projects (including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Power Automate & Purview). Managing a small team of Specialists with responsibilities for the implementation and support of the M365 programme hosted on the NHS central tenancy (NHS.net connect). This role is instrumental in modernising digital within the ICB and Primary care, increasing efficiency and ensuring we maximise the benefit from central NHS investment in the NHS.net Connect platform.

Experience

• Expert knowledge and experience M365 NHS.net Connect/Coreview awareness and willingness to learn
• Significant experience managing an effective team
• Providing a customer service function
• Writing business cases and reports
• Proven experience of working with Service Level Agreements
• Evidence of communicating technical issues to non-technical service users
• Creation of documentation processes and User guides creation
• Training and mentoring of staff including creating development plans
• Managing a budget including ensuring the most efficient use of technology within budget constraints
• Previous experience managing difficult situations such as capability management, HR processes and employee termination
• Working knowledge of Information Governance Principles
• Customer Services Desktop operating systems and applications
• Desktop/office applications
• Vulnerability management - defender XDR (MDE, MDI etc)
• Microsoft AI and agents
• Power BI
• NHS Information Governance Data Protection and Caldicott Principles
• Understanding of the Primary Care environment and practices developing IT needs
• Awareness and working knowledge of the NHS England GP IT Operating Model
• Self-motivated
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity and promotes organisational values
• Embrace change, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and develop
• Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to stakeholders
• Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
• Numerate and able to understand complex technical issues combined with deep analytical skills
• Ability to analyse a range of complex technical issues and propose interim/permanent resolution as appropriate
• Use of Service Desk Tools and Technologies
• Able to make pragmatic strategic and operational decisions based on the analysis and interpretation of complex information
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
• Experience of setting up and implementing complex processes and procedures
• Able to manage a team, suppliers and contractors management/ownership of risks and issues
• Be able to work well under pressure and maintain focus in a busy and continually interrupted environment
• Flexible approach to work and requirement to participate in the out of hours on call rota
• Awareness of security and acting to minimise risk of theft and data loss
• Regular use of VDU equipment

Qualifications

• Knowledge of a range of IM&T areas acquired through qualification to Master Degree or equivalent level, or relevant experience
• Industry standard IT qualification e.g. Microsoft, Cisco, ITIL or equivalent knowledge gained through experience
• Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Successfully handling highly complex IT operational issues
• Experience in delivering technical projects and programmes that have a high degree of interdependency
• Demonstrates skills enabling ability to clearly identify opportunities for efficiencies leading to cost savings