Head of Digital and Performance

Job SummaryBelow, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck.We are delighted to offer an opportunity for an experienced and visionary leader to join our team as Head of Digital. This is a full‑time role with occasional on‑call responsibilities, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) and Caldicott Guardian (CG).You will lead Cumbria Health's digital strategy, ensuring compliance with national standards while overseeing digital systems, data analytics, and performance reporting to drive innovation and informed decision‑making.Key QualificationsProven experience in delivering complex digital strategies and transformation in healthcare or other regulated environments.Strong understanding of NHS information governance, DSPT compliance, and digital security standards.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Board level.Demonstrated success in leading teams through change and driving continuous improvement.ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Digital TransformationLead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the digital strategy, aligning it with organisational objectives and national NHS digital priorities.Provide strategic leadership on all matters related to digital innovation, transformation, and technology adoption, fostering a culture of digital excellence across the organisation.Act as the senior advisor to the Board and Executive Team on digital capability, emerging technologies, data strategy, and information governance.Champion digital inclusion, accessibility, and user‑centred design principles in the development of new digital services.Identify opportunities for digital collaboration and integration with system partners, including NCIC and MBHT digital teams.Represent the organisation at regional and national Digital Boards and forums, ensuring the organisation remains aligned with wider system initiatives.Performance and Data ManagementOversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of performance data on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and insight‑driven decision‑making.Develop and maintain digital performance dashboards for governance structure, including but not limited to the Board, Executive team, Performance Group, Senior Management, Senior Leadership team and weekly operational meetings, providing clear visibility of key metrics and outcomes.Proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities within performance data and make strategic recommendations for improvement.Lead on the production of ad‑hoc analytical reports, ensuring timely and accurate data to support operational and clinical decision‑making.Oversee analysis and reporting of all organisation KPIs, ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.Information Governance and ComplianceServe as the management lead for Information Governance, reporting to the SIRO and Caldicott Guardian.Ensure full completion and compliance of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) at the required level, including oversight of improvement plans and risk mitigation.Maintain a robust information governance framework, ensuring all digital and data‑related activities comply with legislative and NHS requirements (including GDPR, DSPT, and CQC standards).Provide strategic oversight and assurance that all organisational systems meet CQC and NHS Digital requirements.Digital Systems and Infrastructure ManagementAct as organisational asset owner for all digital systems (including Adastra, Attend Anywhere, Power BI, Opex, EMIS, and others), ensuring they are secure, efficient, and effectively utilised.Oversee the management and maintenance of IT and telephony systems, ensuring high performance, reliability, and business continuity.Lead on all telephony services across the organisation, ensuring up‑to‑date technology, effective voice recording systems, and user satisfaction.Regularly review IT providers, contracts, and licences to ensure value for money, compliance, and alignment with organisational needs.Coordinate the procurement and purchasing of digital and telephony equipment across North and South Cumbria, ensuring standardisation and cost efficiency.Ensure all contracts and service agreements are effectively performance‑managed and deliver against agreed KPIs and SLAs.Financial and Resource ManagementWork in partnership with the Finance Director and Finance Department to support annual budget planning and forecasting for digital and performance functions.Identify and implement opportunities for cost efficiencies through better use of technology and improved supplier management.Review supplier performance to ensure Cumbria Health achieves the best value for digital investments.Clinical and Operational SupportProvide support to the Medical Director to ensure clinician audits are completed on time, to a high standard, and supported by accurate data analysis.Collaborate with operational leads to ensure digital tools and data insights are effectively supporting clinical quality, safety, and service delivery.Leadership and Organisational DevelopmentActively contribute to the development and improvement of professional and corporate standards, policies, and procedures relating to digital, information governance, and performance.Take accountability for IT and telephony policies, ensuring they remain current, compliant, and fit for purpose.Lead, mentor, and develop the Digital and Performance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.Promote digital literacy and capability across the organisation through training, engagement, and partnership working.Other DutiesEnsure all organisational digital systems and practices are resilient, secure, and scalable to support future growth and innovation.Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and aligned to organisational priorities, subject to training and capability.Person SpecificationPersonal Circumstances – EssentialResilientWell organisedAbility to build rapport and effective relationships at all levelsDemonstrate initiativeQualifications – EssentialDegree level of education or equivalent experienceQualifications – DesirableMaster level qualification in relevant fieldRelevant professional qualification in Digital, IT, or Data ManagementKnowledge – EssentialThorough knowledge of a Patient Administration System / data capture processesUnderstanding of data quality issues, identification, correction and prevention of future issuesKnowledge – DesirableKnowledge of interoperability standards and system integration within NHS environmentsSkills and Aptitudes – EssentialAbility to interpret and convert data to management informationAbility to design and develop information systemsRespect confidentiality of patient informationProblem solving and analytic skillsDemonstrate excellent organisational skillsAdvanced Microsoft office skillsAdvanced Excel SkillsAble to prioritise workload effectivelyDemonstrate good attention to detailReport writing skillsAbility to analyse and interpret reportsFlexible with an ability to multi‑task and work in a fast‑paced environmentExcellent team player & ability to work autonomouslyGood presentation skillsAbility to train clinical and non‑clinical staff in the use of information systemsProven track record of working under pressure to strict deadlinesAbility to communicate effectively with staff at all levelsSkills and Aptitudes – DesirableProven influencing and negotiation skillsOther requirements – EssentialFlexibleExperience – EssentialProven leadership experience in digital transformation or IT management within a healthcare or public sector environmentStrong understanding of NHS digital systems, data governance, and information security standardsDemonstrated experience in data analytics, performance reporting, and dashboard developmentExcellent stakeholder engagement and communication skillsExperience managing supplier relationships and digital contractsExperience – DesirableExperience leading cross‑organisational digital strategiesClosing InformationClosing Date: 30/11/25Please include your mobile number in your application and check your spam/junk folder regularly, as our emails may occasionally be filtered there.We encourage you to apply as early as possible as this job may close earlier than the closing date once enough applications have been received. xpwpeyx Please note that we are unable to offer an Employer Sponsored Visa for this role.Employer DetailsEmployer: Cumbria HealthAddress: 4 Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, CA1 2SEWebsite: J-18808-Ljbffr