Head of Digital Systems
Job summary
Ready to lead digital change where it really matters?
This is an exciting opportunity to lead major digital systems portfolios, drive optimisation of our Electronic Patient Record, and deliver technology-enabled improvements that make a real difference for patients, staff and services.
You'll work closely with senior clinical, operational and digital leaders, lead talented teams, drive complex programmes and keep digital delivery moving in a busy, ambitious NHS environment.
We are seeking someone with significant management experience in digital systems, EPR or technology-enabled services, strong Epic knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the confidence to operate in a complex, fast-moving NHS environment. If you are ambitious, collaborative and committed to delivering safe, kind and excellent care through digital transformation, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
This is a highly skilled and complex role which requires exceptional leadership qualities, a high level of strategic management, the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and complex matrix organisation, outstanding technical skills in Epic and digital systems and first-class communication skills with senior clinicians, managers and executive directors.
Provides senior leadership for the delivery of the Trust's digital and data strategy by leading defined digital systems portfolios and services, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and national requirements. Provides senior operational leadership across digital teams, driving the successful implementation of digital programmes, system optimisation, and continuous service improvement.
Works closely with the Director of Digital Systems, CTO/CCIO, and senior clinical and operational stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into effective delivery, ensuring digital solutions deliver measurable benefits for patients, staff, and services.
Provides expert leadership in digital systems, including the Electronic Patient Record, supporting innovation, adoption, and optimisation across the Trust.
The post holder will manage a team of digital system analysts and managers providing first and second-line application support. Working with operational and clinical teams to optimise the performance of the system and deliver real benefits to the Trust.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 19th July 2026.
Interviews are due to be held during the week commencing 3rd August 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- oEducated to master's level or equivalent experience in digital systems, informatics, IT, or a related discipline.
- oEvidence of continued professional development relevant to digital systems, programme delivery, or informatics.
- oEpic certified in at least one module
- oLeadership, digital service management or project management qualification (PRINCE2/MSP/AGILE/ITIL)
Experience
- oSignificant senior management experience leading digital systems, EPR or technology-enabled services in a complex organisation.
- oProven experience of leading large-scale digital programmes or system optimisation delivering measurable benefits.
- oExperience of working across organisational boundaries with clinical, operational and corporate stakeholders.
- oExperience of managing multidisciplinary teams delivering digital services and support
- oA high level of strategic management including setting out the business case for complex software developments and enhancements and strategic business planning
- oExperience of managing budgets, contracts, or financial planning within digital services
- o Experience of leading or contributing to organisation-wide digital transformation programmes.
- oExperience of supplier and contract management in complex digital environments
- oExperience within NHS or public sector digital environments
Knowledge
- oUnderstanding of digital systems and EPR environments and how they support clinical and operational services.
- oUnderstanding of data quality, reporting standards and information governance requirements.
- oUnderstanding of programme and project governance, including risk, assurance and benefits realisation.
- oExtensive knowledge of the Epic EPR system and how the system can be used for service redesign and improvement
- oUnderstanding of NHS policy, standards, governance requirements and regulatory frameworks relevant to digital services
- oAwareness of system-wide (ICS) digital priorities and national digital agenda.
- oKnowledge of interoperability, integration and digital architecture approaches
- oUnderstanding of emerging digital health technologies and innovation
Skills
- oAbility to lead complex digital programmes and services with clear delivery focus.
- oExcellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders including clinicians and managers.
- oAbility to manage competing priorities within a highly complex and pressured environment.
- oAbility to translate strategic priorities into deliverable plans and outcomes.
- oStrong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information, assess risk and develop practical solutions
- oStrong leadership and people management skills, including team development and performance management
- oAbility to lead service redesign and continuous improvement initiatives.
- oStrong presentation skills for communicating complex digital concepts to non-technical audiences
- oAdvanced negotiation and stakeholder management skills in complex environments
Additional Requirements
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
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.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB20QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk