Head of ICT Function (Infrastructure Operations)
Job summary
Infrastructure Services
The purpose of Infrastructure services is to ensure our services and systems are hosted effectively, securely and efficiently.
The function of Infrastructure services brings all network and hosting infrastructure into a single team which will provide a multi-skilled 24/7 Infra Operations team organised by function and focussed on supporting continual improvement.
The teams are divided into fourcore areas providing technical and service management expertise:
- hosting
- cloud centre of excellence
- connectivity
- central capabilities
Services are delivered to internal customers and NHS organisations.
The Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) team at NHS England enables the NHS to make the best use of cloud technologies in pursuit of our collective objectives for improving the provision of health and care systems.
NHS England is driving an innovative Cloud First strategy that works to optimise the strategic digital hosting environment, reduce complexity, and implement high degrees of automation to enable more agile application delivery across its organisation and the wider NHS.
The post of Head of ICT Function (Infrastructure Operations) has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts anadditionalmonthlyRRP payment equal to 6% per annum.
Please be aware thatRRPis none contractual and subject to review.
Main duties of the job
Contractual & Supplier Management
Financial Management & Forecasting
Procurement & Commercial Management
Performance optimisation & reporting
Technical Programme & Project oversight
Problem Management and solution implementation
Lifecycle & Portfolio Management
About us
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money
In 2025, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, organisational structure, recruitment profile, expected outcomes and benefits information in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, withadditional overseas checks for the previous two years.
Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role - will still be considered.
Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. Youdont need to have security clearance level already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for security clearance level after offer, will result in the job offer being withdrawn.
For further advice please checkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc.
For further information on National Security Vetting please check National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK, information on the Security Vetting and Clearances Intranet page or contactengland.securityvetting@nhs.net.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
- Extensive knowledge of managing the operations required to support system hosting environments
- Experience with infrastructure solutions and platforms, including VMWare, AWS, and Azure
- Strong understanding of Financial Management principles, and controls
- Deeply curious with a strong desire to continuously learn, improve and understand the technology driving the industry and how it can unlock value for our customers
Skills
- Proven ability and experience of demonstrating strong credible, professional leadership skills including the provision of clear direction, developing strategic goals and objectives, motivating and inspiring others to overcome obstacles of delivery, and providing a culture of empowerment, accountability and recognition.
- Experienced in identifying and documenting both functional and non-functional requirements for a large-scale solutions, functional changes, and transformation projects.
- Demonstrable evidence of leading review meetings for contracts and suppliers and liaising with supplier senior technical staff and establishing supplier respect for NHS England technical staff
- Highly analytical with a structured and methodical approach to problem solving and able to translate and interpret large amounts of data
Qualifications
- ITIL V3 or V4 Foundation
- Significant evidence of continued professional development
Interpersonal Skills
- Proven ability to capture and disseminate technical and business information
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Proven ability to act as a role model and seeks out opportunities to promote equality and diversity to the team and stakeholders
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
NHS England
Address
Wellington Place/Wellington House/ Hexagon House
Leeds/ London/Exeter
LS1 4AP
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/