Job summary
- Main area
- Administration
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 9
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 354-CO-21877
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- SPFT, Trust HQ
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £112,782 - £129,783 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 12/05/2026
Employer heading
Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO)
NHS AfC: Band 9
Come and join us
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.
At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.
We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Job overview
The CDIO plays a pivotal role in the Trust's leadership team providing vision, professional leadership and strategic direction in the delivery of the Trust's aims and improvements in quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer, the postholder will be the lead expert responsible for the delivery of the digital agenda at the Trust, leading the use and adoption of new digital technologies and approaches including AI, deploying clinical benefits to gain productivity, enhance the working lives of colleagues and deliver improved patient experience. Responsible for leading and championing the Trusts Digital transformation programmes the postholder will ensure all resources delivering digital change across the Trust are focused and aligned to delivering to Trust priorities, including financial recovery and quality.
Main duties of the job
- Set and lead the Trust’s digital vision and strategy (aligning to Trust priorities and NHS direction).
- Deliver the Trust’s digital transformation programmes (EHR/telemedicine/AI/data analytics/cloud), ensuring benefits, time, scope and budget are met.
- Provide executive leadership for the Digital, Data, Technology & Informatics (DDaT) function (including workforce professionalisation, capability and digital maturity/“What Good Looks Like”).
- Ensure robust governance, assurance and performance reporting for digital programmes, procurement, delivery capability and risks (including Board-level reporting).
- Own cyber security, resilience and information assurance compliance (including DSPT and wider cyber standards).
- Lead system/ICS partnership working and act as a digital “evangelist” to build a coherent digital ecosystem across partners (including ICB alignment).
- Provide expert advice to the CEO and Trust Board on digital/information opportunities and risks impacting patient care, safety and performance.
- Manage digital budgets and financial sustainability (budget control, value for money, and securing external funding/partnerships where relevant).
- Embed staff engagement, digital literacy and culture change so the workforce adopts new tools and ways of working.
- Use a user-centred design approach (engaging patients, service users, families and clinicians to shape technology and deployment).
Working for our organisation
Why join Sussex Partnership?
In your role as CDIO you’ll join a compassionate, innovative organisation rated ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for caring by the CQC; helping make a meaningful difference to communities across the South East.
You'll make a substantial contribution to the changing landscape of digital transformation and innovation at SPFT.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to full JD/Person Specification.
We’re seeking an experienced senior digital leader to shape and deliver the Trust’s digital vision and strategy, driving transformation that improves patient care, safety, clinical outcomes and operational efficiency. You’ll act as an executive-level sponsor for digital change, championing a digital-first culture and strong staff engagement across the organisation.
Working closely with partners across the wider system (including provider trusts, commissioners/ICB, local authorities, voluntary sector and regulators), you will ensure the Trust’s digital strategy aligns with national policy and priorities (including the NHS Long Term Plan), and supports sustainable, modern service delivery.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of the Trust-wide digital strategy and major transformation programmes.
- Drive adoption of digital technologies (e.g., EHR, telemedicine, AI, data analytics, cloud infrastructure).
- Provide strategic advice to the Chief Executive and Trust Board on digital/information risks and opportunities.
- Establish strong governance, assurance and performance reporting, including effective risk management.
- Ensure high standards of cyber security and compliance, including DSPT and cyber resilience.
- Lead and develop digital, IT and informatics teams, building capability and digital literacy across the workforce.
- Hold responsibility for budget and resources, ensuring value, sustainability and delivery within scope and budget.
- Take a user-centred design approach, engaging patients, service users and clinicians to shape effective solutions.
Working style
Hybrid/office working with frequent VDU use and travel to meetings as required. The role requires high levels of concentration, resilience, and the ability to operate effectively at Board level.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Masters/ Postgraduate education or similar academic qualifications with highly specialised or advanced knowledge
- Evidence of leadership and management training and development
- Highest level of managerial knowledge or equivalent levels of experience such as strategic leadership or through managing a complex function
- Evidence of on-going personal and professional development
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience in senior leadership roles within healthcare, NHS, or a related sector, with a strong track record in transformation and digital innovation.
- Proven expertise in leading complex digital transformation programs, including the deployment of healthcare IT systems and digital technologies.
- Experience of delivering executive leadership in skills and career path to DDaT professional leaders in the constituent organisations and professionalisation generally of the workforce in digital and data enabled transformation
- Strong knowledge of the healthcare environment, NHS policies, and the key challenges and opportunities associated with digital health
- Experience in managing large budgets and delivering technology-driven change within financial constraints.
- Proven experience of negotiating complex contracts, managing customer expectations, influencing commissioning decisions and developing business case
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Colin Hicks
- Job title
- CSPO / Deputy Chief Executive
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
Susan Thomas
Business Manager to CSPO/D-CEO
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