Band 9 - Director of Digital Strategy in Watford

We are seeking an experienced, credible and commercially astute digital leader to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as Director of Digital Strategy. This Band 9 role will own, develop and drive delivery of the Trust’s Digital Strategy 2025–2030, translating our ambitions into a robust, measurable delivery plan. The postholder will provide strategic direction across major digital priorities, including preparation for the Watford Combined Scheme and New Hospital Programme requirements, Electronic Patient Record strategy, partnership working across the South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership, and the development of funding and business cases. This is a significant opportunity to shape the Trust’s digital future and improve care for patients and staff.

Main duties of the job

• The postholder will lead the development, delivery and assurance of the Trust’s digital strategy, ensuring priorities are clear, measurable and aligned with national NHS policy, the New Hospital Programme and wider organisational strategy.
• They will provide senior oversight of major digital programmes, lead strategic Electronic Patient Record work, support digital requirements for the Watford Combined Scheme, and represent the Trust across system, regional and national forums.

The role requires exceptional strategic thinking, programme governance, communication, negotiation and influencing skills, alongside the ability to build trusted relationships with senior clinical, operational, finance, digital and external partners.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Key responsibilities include maintaining the Digital Strategy 2025–2030 delivery plan; defining and reporting milestones, risks, benefits and key performance indicators; leading digital input to New Hospital Programme business cases; shaping the Trust’s strategic Electronic Patient Record direction; supporting the South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership digital agenda; developing funding bids and investment cases; and assuring delivery of major programmes through robust governance.
• The role will work closely with the Chief Information Officer, Director of ICT, Director of Finance, Director of Business Intelligence, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Chief Nursing Information Officer and senior external partners.

Person specification

Education

• Educated to master’s level or equivalent senior leadership experience in a relevant field
• Evidence of sustained continuing professional development at a senior level
• Project or programme management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, APM); MBA or equivalent postgraduate business or leadership qualification
• Fellowship or membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. BCS, HIMSS, CILIP)

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of national NHS digital, data, and technology policy and strategy, including NHS England's digital transformation agenda
• Understanding of the New Hospital Programme, including its digital requirements and Intelligent Hospital Capabilities (IHC) framework
• Knowledge of Electronic Patient Record systems and the strategic and operational considerations associated with EPR implementation, consolidation, and domain management
• Sound understanding of UK GDPR, the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, and NHS information governance frameworks
• Understanding of integrated care system structures, health and care partnerships, and the digital enablers of integrated service delivery
• Understanding of NHS capital and revenue funding frameworks and business case processes
• Knowledge of the NHS Federated Data Platform and associated programmes
• Familiarity with NHP business case development processes (OBC/FBC)
• Knowledge of Oracle Health Millennium and NHS EPR procurement and contracting frameworks
• Understanding of data sharing agreement frameworks in an ICS/HCP context
• Knowledge of population health management approaches and supporting technologies
• Knowledge of external funding sources relevant to NHS digital programmes

Experience

• Substantial experience operating at a senior leadership level within a complex NHS or equivalent health and care organisation, with responsibility for digital strategy development and delivery
• Proven track record of delivering large‑scale, complex digital programmes to time, budget, and quality within the NHS
• Experience of leading or significantly contributing to EPR strategy, implementation, or transformation programmes
• Demonstrable experience of managing and influencing a wide range of senior internal and external stakeholders, including Board‑level engagement
• Experience of developing and securing funding for digital programmes, including the preparation of robust business cases
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries to develop shared digital strategies and plans within an ICB, HCP, or equivalent system
• Experience of providing senior leadership, direction, and development to multi-disciplinary digital teams
• Experience working across more than one NHS organisation or at system/ICS level
• Experience of delivering digital programmes linked to major capital infrastructure developments
• Direct experience of Oracle Health Millennium or equivalent enterprise EPR systems
• Experience of engaging with NHSE, DHSC, or national NHS bodies on digital programmes
• Experience of negotiating commercial contracts or supplier agreements at a senior level
• Experience of chairing or leading multi‑organisational governance forums

Skills

• Ability to translate complex and ambiguous strategic challenges into clear, actionable plans with measurable outcomes
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality board papers, strategies, and programme documents
• Ability to analyse complex information, identify risks and opportunities, and make well‑reasoned recommendations to senior leaders and governing bodies
• Ability to design and operate robust programme governance frameworks, including risk management, benefits realisation, and exception reporting
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus and drive progress across complex multi‑stakeholder environments
• Ability to develop and manage budgets, oversee business case development, and ensure value for money across a complex digital portfolio
• High level of digital literacy, with the ability to engage credibly with technical teams and translate technical concepts for non‑technical audiences
• Ability to present at national conferences and represent the organisation externally

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire. As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.