Chief Digital and Information Officer The closing date is 20 February 2026
Applications are invited for this key leadership role as a non-voting Board Member of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT.
The successful applicant will join the Trust at an extremely exciting time, ensuring the Trust realises its vision to establish the Trust as a leader in the field of digital health services.
Leading implementation, our Chief Digital and Information Officer will hold strategy oversight of our Digital and Data Strategy and champion digital innovation and improved use of data and technological adoption to improve patient care, clinical options and operational efficiency.
Given the seniority of this Trust Board-level position, only applicants who can clearly demonstrate -- within their application -- the ability to operate at a level equivalent to NHS Pay Band 9, whether currently or with immediate capability, will be considered for shortlisting.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the evolution of clinical and business information processes, ensuring high quality provision and support for business-critical systems. They will also adopt a structured approach which enables the prioritisation and delivery of digital activities aligned to the Trust's overall strategic direction consistent with the Trust Strategy and Digital Strategy. The post-holder will ensure effective information technology / information system programme management and deliver information governance requirements in line with statutory and regulatory guidance.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK). RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line. We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Job responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Working in partnership with organisational and clinical leadership teams, lead development and delivery of a compelling digital strategy aligned with RJAHs corporate goals and the wider plans of the wider System, Regional and National direction.
Provide visionary leadership for digital & informatics, fostering data-driven decision-making, digital-first culture, and user-centric service design.
Digital & Clinical Engagement and Transformation
Lead the Trusts digital transformation programme, including EPR, clinical apps, remote monitoring to improve patient and clinician experience.
Lead Digital collaboration and drive innovation with clinical and operational teams to integrate digital solutions into pathways seamlessly, and enabling clinically-led digital transformation and move the organisation to be data driven.
Lead the preparation of a funded and achievable technology programme that enables a credible Digital Strategy recognising the impact of the technology changes on the funding regimes. This to include the development of business proposals and investment cases ensuring that these facilitate sound decision making.
Serve as Senior Information Risk Owner; ensure robust compliance with NHS IG and cyber-security standards.
To ensure the Trusts digital related policies including information risk management, cyber security and business continuity are contemporary and compliant with relevant rules and guidance.
Oversee data privacy, consent, audits, and readiness for regulatory inspection.
Digital Infrastructure & Service Delivery
Ensure secure, reliable, resilient IT infrastructure; manage clinical and corporate systems to maximise uptime and performance. Identify improvements in operational IT that add benefit to clinical and operational colleagues
Drive establishment of BI platforms, data lakes, and analytics services to provide insights for clinical excellence and operational improvement.
Promote analytics literacy and embed insight-driven strategies across the Trust.
Lead and develop high-performing teams across Digital, Data, PMO and Cyber.
Nurture a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence in digital delivery across the Trust.
Board-Level Engagement & Advocacy
Advise on digital investments, emerging technologies, AI, and interoperability.
Provide Board and Executive level reporting on digital performance, strategic projects, risks, and opportunities.
Partnerships & External Collaboration
Engage with ICS, academic partners, and industry to enhance digital maturity and secure funding for innovation.
Represent RJAH in regional/national digital groups, sharing best practices and influencing system-level change.
Person Specification
Qualifications and CPD
Masters level attainment in relevant subject (or equivalent suitable professional experience)
Evidence of continuous development
Skills and experience
Significant experience as a digital leader in an NHS or comparable complex healthcare environment or system, working at Board level
Effective working with Board-level colleagues and senior clinicians with demonstrable leader and communication skills
Demonstratable digital thought leadership and strategic influencing skills and track record of digital innovation
Demonstration of leading digitisation strategy and roadmap development
Evidence of impacting health outcomes through the implementation of digital solutions
Experience in establishing strong governance arrangements and knowledge of procurement protocols and able to work within a strongly regulated environment
Able to lead complex and sometimes contentious change and transformation at scale with evidence of managing complex change
Experience in identifying healthtech trends and application
Knowledge
Knowledge of healthcare information systems and advanced technology including artificial intelligence, its application and governance / design requirements to ensure it is deployed fairly
Good understanding of national policy and strategic direction of the NHS
Values
Resilient under pressure and calm in a crisis
A progressive thinker and creative disrupter, always focused on the need to deliver benefits to patients, the public and care professionals
Able to influence and collaborate across multiple stakeholder groups
Resilience and calm under pressure
Demonstrates commitment to the Trust's published values
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.
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
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The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT
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