Head of Digital Applications (Dorset Providers)
Job summary
Lead people. Shape the future. Build what comes next.
This is not a typical digital leadership role.
Dorset's health and care organisations are entering a significant period of digital transformation as we prepare for the implementation of a single electronic patient record and the evolution of our digital services.
We're looking for an experienced NHS digital leader to lead our Applications function through this transition: maintaining high-quality services today while helping shape the future operating model for tomorrow.
This role will particularly suit leaders who gain satisfaction from developing people, building partnerships and leading organisations through change, rather than those seeking a primarily technical or programme-management focused position.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Digital Applications, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of clinical and corporate applications that support health and care services across Dorset.
You will lead experienced teams responsible for the safe and effective operation, optimisation and development of existing systems, while helping define how application services develop as our digital transformation programme progresses.
This is a role that will continue to develop over time. As our digital transformation journey progresses, priorities, challenges and opportunities will shift and we need a leader who is comfortable working through ambiguity, adapting to changing circumstances and helping others do the same.
You will work closely with clinical leaders, operational colleagues, digital teams and senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries, balancing immediate operational priorities with longer-term strategic objectives.
Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of digital services across Dorset.
You will leadcommitted and knowledgeable teams, play a key role in one of the region's most significant digital transformation programmes, and have the opportunity to leave a lasting positive impact on both services and people.
We are looking for a leader who can deliver change while maintaining trust, build collaboration where others see boundaries, and lead with humanity as well as ambition.
A Final Word
No candidate will meet every requirement perfectly.
If you are an experienced NHS digital leader who has successfully led through complexity, built strong relationships, developed high-performing teams and helped people navigate change, we would love to hear from you.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
- Educated to Masters' level or equivalent experience
- Clinical professional qualification or equivalent experience OR PRINCE 2 Foundation Level or ITIL qualifications or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing professional development and training.
JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
- Extensive knowledge of clinical, administrative, and operational workflows and processes within a hospital environment.
- Extensive experience of implementing clinical systems within a hospital environment which directly impact patient care.
- Knowledge of managing highly complex, strategic projects or areas of complex working practices
- Understanding of Information Governance and risk management
- Ability to analyse & interpret highly complex information
- Exceptional organisational and planning skills
- Ability to engage with and successfully convey highly complex information and concepts to audiences at all levels in the organisation
- Exceptional presentation skills
- Ability to prioritise tasks to achieve deadlines whilst working under significant pressure with frequent interruptions
- Significant experience of implementing clinical systems that impact on patient care
- Understanding of the principles of project and programme management
- Demonstrable experience of implementing and managing change within a challenging environment.
- Significant experience of working at a strategic level, developing and leading a service.
- Previous or current NHS experience
- Experience of working across multiple healthcare organisations.
MANAGERIAL/SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE
- Excellent managerial or strategic based operational or clinical knowledge of clinical/IM&T departments
- Exceptional leadership qualities with the ability to lead, manage and motivate several multidisciplinary teams into achieving a common goal
- Management of others in a high performing team environment, including appraisals, disciplinary, grievance, etc
- Significant experience of managing a service at a senior level
FINANCE/RESOURCES
- Experience of managing significant operational budgets (>£1m/pa)
- Understanding of the NHS Financial Framework
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/RESOURCES
- Excellent knowledge and use of IT systems and software programmes such as MS Office applications and clinical systems
PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES
- Evidence of demonstrating the trust values and behaviours
- Skilled communicator
- Self-confident
- Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative and take responsibility for decisions
- Team player
- Pragmatic
- Logical approach to problem solving
- Able to work under pressure with competing priorities
- Personal credibility, with the ability to quickly gain the confidence of others
- Honesty, openness, and integrity
BUSINESS TRAVEL
- Subject to the provisions of the equality act, able to travel suing own vehicle on trust business.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trust HQ
2 Nuffield Road
Poole
BH17 0RB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us