Head of Data Engineering - Band 8c
Job summary
Join Essex ICB as our Head of Data Engineering (Data Architecture & Engineering) and help shape how data improves health and care for a population of 2 million people. This strategic leadership role is central to developing secure, scalable data platforms that support population health management, integrated care and evidence-based decision making.
You will lead enterprise data architecture and engineering capabilities, ensuring trusted, high-quality and timely data flows across the health and care system. Working with senior leaders, clinicians, analysts and partners, you will translate strategic priorities into practical solutions that improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and support effective commissioning.
This role offers the opportunity to drive system-wide change, build shared data capabilities across organisational boundaries and unlock the value of integrated datasets. You will lead a skilled team, promote innovation and continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with NHS data and digital priorities.
Main duties of the job
You will provide strategic leadership for the design, development and operation of the ICBs data platforms and architecture. The role is responsible for delivering a modern, secure and scalable data environment that enables integration of complex datasets across health and care, supporting population health management, commissioning, and system-wide decision making. You will lead the development of enterprise data architecture, interoperability standards and engineering practices, ensuring high-quality, trusted data flows across partners. You will oversee delivery of data platforms, pipelines and integration services, ensuring alignment with national NHS priorities and compliance with governance, security and regulatory requirements.
You will be an experienced senior leader in data engineering or data architecture, with a strong track record of delivering enterprise-scale data platforms in complex organisations. You will bring deep technical expertise in areas such as cloud data platforms, data integration, data modelling and interoperability (e.g. APIs, FHIR), alongside the ability to translate strategy into delivery. Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and communication skills are essential, with the ability to influence at executive level and work effectively across organisational boundaries. A relevant degree or equivalent experience in a data, digital or technical discipline is expected, with evidence of continuous professional development.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The Head of Data Engineering (Data Architecture & Engineering) will provide strategic and technical leadership for the design, development and operation of the Essex ICBs data platforms, architectures and engineering capabilities. The post holder will define and deliver a modern, scalable and secure data ecosystem that enables business intelligence, population health management, system integration and advanced analytics across the Essex health and care system.
The role will lead the development of enterprise data architecture, interoperability standards and engineering practices, ensuring high-quality, timely and trusted data flows across providers, local authorities and system partners. Acting as a senior technical authority and trusted advisor, the post holder will translate strategic priorities into robust data platform solutions, enabling insight-driven commissioning, improved outcomes and reduced health inequalities.
The post holder will oversee the delivery of integrated data services, including data warehousing, cloud platforms, interoperability pipelines and real-time data capabilities, ensuring alignment with national NHS frameworks (including Federated Data Platform and interoperability standards such as FHIR). The post holder will ensure that data engineering services are resilient, secure, cost-effective and designed to support innovation, research and AI-enabled transformation.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support Essex ICB in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
- From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population-based approaches to commissioning.
- From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
- From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence-based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
- Develop and implement policy and / or service developments related to data architecture, data engineering and platform services across the ICB and wider system
- Lead the development of enterprise data architecture principles, interoperability standards and engineering best practice aligned to NHS national guidance
- Translate national policy into deliverable system-wide data engineering capabilities
- Oversee the development and continuous improvement of ICBs data platform services, including data warehouse, integration services and cloud infrastructure
- Promote innovation in data engineering approaches including use of automation, real-time data processing and scalable cloud-native architectures
- Taking high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, and turning them into projects that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population
- Development and oversight of relevant ICB policies
- Use research, innovation and emerging technologies to drive continuous service improvements or performance management
Strategy and analysis
- Lead the design and implementation of data architectures that enable integration of complex datasets across health, care and wider determinants of health
- Provide expert oversight of data modelling, ingestion, transformation and integration pipelines to support population health management and system analytics
- Ensure that data platforms support advanced analytics, AI and predictive modelling across the ICB and system partners
- Translate complex technical concepts and architecture into clear insights and recommendations for executive and non-technical audiences
- Champion the use of high-quality, standardised and interoperable data to improve decision-making, commissioning effectiveness and service outcomes.
Planning and organisation
- Develop and deliver a multi-year roadmap for data architecture and engineering aligned to the ICB strategy and system priorities
- Lead and manage complex programmes and portfolios relating to data platforms, integration and engineering transformation
- Ensure robust governance, prioritisation and delivery frameworks for all data engineering initiatives
- Oversee the development and delivery of the Data Engineering team business plan, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and available resources
- Balance innovation and pace of delivery with operational resilience, compliance and cost-effectiveness
- Develop projects and / or programme plans to drive delivery of complex projects relating to data platforms, integration services and data engineering transformation.
- Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
- Develop and oversee annual business plan for the Data Engineering team
Communications and Partnerships
- Act as the senior system lead for data architecture and engineering, building strong partnerships across NHS providers, local authorities and regional/national bodies
- Work closely with business intelligence, advanced analytics, digital, IG, and other teams to ensure alignment of data and technology strategies
- Represent the ICB in regional and national forums relating to data platforms, interoperability and engineering
- Communicate highly complex technical strategies, risks and opportunities to senior stakeholders, including Board and Executive level
- Facilitate collaboration across organisational boundaries to deliver shared data capabilities and maximise value from system-wide data assets
- Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
- Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
- Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders
- Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
- Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
- Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable collective ownership and delivery of complex projects or programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
- Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
- Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
Financial and resource management
- Contribute to the planning, monitoring and effective use of budgets and resources associated with Data Engineering services.
- Ensures effective commissioning of relevant services
- Manage supplier and contract performance relating to data engineering and platform services.
Team management and capability building
- Develop and lead a high performing Data Engineering team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members.
- Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
- Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
- Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
- Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
- Act as Information Asset Owner (IAO) where nominated to do so by the Executive or senior leadership team, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and utilised by the team
Other
- Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the role
- Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
- Able to use software required to develop reports, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
- Proficient in data engineering, analytics and visualisation tools to support reporting and insight generation, such as SQL-based platforms, Python or similar programming languages, and business intelligence tools (e.g. Power BI, or equivalent).
- Experience using data platform and integration tools (e.g. Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse, or equivalent cloud-based services) to develop scalable data pipelines and reporting datasets.
- Ability to design and produce high-quality written documentation, including technical specifications, architecture diagrams, business cases and executive briefings
- Skilled in the use of collaboration and workflow tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, DevOps or equivalent) to support agile delivery and team productivity.
- Ability to select and apply appropriate tools and technologies to meet reporting, analytical and data engineering requirements, ensuring outputs are accessible, accurate and aligned to user needs.
Please see attached job description for full details of the role.
Person Specification
People & Culture
- Significant experience building, leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams
- Evidence of promoting a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture aligned to NHS People Promise principles
- Experience of managing performance, developing capability and supporting staff through organisational change and transformation
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, learning and innovation.
Governance and Assurance
- Strong understanding of data governance, information governance and regulatory requirements (e.g. GDPR, Data Protection Act)
- Experience ensuring security, resilience and compliance of data platforms and services.
- Experience identifying, managing and escalating risks within complex programmes or portfolios.
Personal Attributes and Values
- Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system.
- High level of personal integrity, accountability and professionalism
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to lead in complex and changing environments.
- Strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Experience
- Substantial experience of leading data engineering, data architecture or data platform functions within a large, complex organisation.
- Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale data platforms, including cloud-based solutions.
- Experience of integrating complex datasets across multiple organisations and systems, including use of interoperability standards.
- Strong understanding of the NHS data landscape, including national strategies, standards and data flows.
Strategy & Analysis
- Experience defining and delivering data architecture and engineering strategies aligned to organisational and system priorities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and technical issues to inform decision making.
- Experience translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of enabling population health management through effective use of data.
Qualifications
- Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
- Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
- Degree in Data, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or related discipline
- Relevant cloud, data or architecture certifications (e.g. Azure Data Engineer, AWS, TOGAF)
Partnerships & Communities
- Experience working across organisational boundaries to deliver shared outcomes in complex systems.
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, including clinical, operational and technical leaders.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with experience managing competing priorities and building consensus.
- Experience collaborating with partners across health, local government and wider system organisations.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address
Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk