Associate Director of Development in Reading

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Digital Development is a key senior member of the Digital Data & Technology (DDaT) team, adding value for our patients through improving and developing digital services across the Trust and wider health and care system.

Main duties of the job

Ensure their teams are an effective component of the Trust\’s Digital Data & Technology target operating model, working alongside others, delivering continuous overall improvement. Take a leading role in how key aspects of DDaT operates, supporting the organisation (and the ICSP), and enabling innovation and supporting delivery of local, regional and national strategy. Use expert skills in communications work with external agencies including BOBICS/NHSE to align the Trust with the ICSP and National initiatives and maximise opportunities. The postholder will gain the support of the DCDIO/CTO and others, to achieve successful collaboration between DDaT and clinical and operational teams. Using highly developed project and programme planning skills and budgeting experience to ensure that DDaT developments deliver within the overall Trust\’s vision. Provide leadership for direct reports and others across DDaT services. Ensure that essential systems, applications, infrastructure and information are enabled and managed with consistent, expert and professional teams, with appropriate governance, structures, stakeholder buy‑in, and supporting technology.

About Us

Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding. Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342. Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Details

• Date posted: 04 November 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8d
• Salary: Depending on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: 193-7570152COR
• Job location: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Craven road, Reading, RG1 5AN

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee team development across the department, with a particular focus on ensuring that members of DDaT are skilled in interpreting and converting vague ideas and desires from clinical area teams into tightly defined and actionable digital changes.
• Improve the Trust’s policies and approach to digital QA and testing, better understanding client needs, user behaviour and intended patient outcomes, to deliver a more rigorous testing and QA service resulting in more effective and reliable implementation of digital solutions.
• Ensure that DDaT teams balance the needs of the Trust with the opportunities presented by suppliers, with a focus on being responsive to user and care group needs.
• Overall responsibility for ensuring effective integration of healthcare data across Trust systems, and the wider health economy, with interface priorities understood and aligned to deliver Trust strategies.
• Overall responsibility to ensure that DDaT Development minimises under‑stands and is responsive to future IT demands of the Trust.
• Overall responsibility for DDaT Development teams to define and execute management processes for digital development, to control and deliver quality improved IT Services reliably, efficiently and effectively.

Person Specification

Essential

• Masters degree in a relevant discipline with significant experience in a senior managerial and leadership role.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner or similar project management qualification, with experience of leading large complex projects.
• Successful track record of successful delivery of major NHS digital healthcare projects.
• Managing highly complex competing priorities and delivering on time with restricted resources.
• Effective communication (verbal and written) at Board level and in the wider Health economy to influence & inform.
• Comprehensive understanding of NHS strategic objectives and drivers.
• Comprehensive understanding of the NHS structure, organisations & management.
• In depth knowledge of healthcare workflows & underlying business requirements across all components of an acute NHS Trust and wider health sectors.
• Demonstrates the Trust values.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to identify & overcome resistance to change.
• Highly collaborative with strong & inspirational senior leadership capability.

Desirable

• Managing Successful Programmes or similar programme management qualification.
• Senior digital role in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care System or similar.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer Details

Employer name: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Craven road, Reading, RG1 5AN

Website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/