Assistant Director Digital Services (Planning) Band 8C

Job details

• Branch: North Down & Ards Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: UH, Home 6
• Salary: Band 8c (£76,965 - £88,682)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 28/08/26
• Closes: Fri, 11 September 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 5th October 2026.

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026 Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL (Planning)

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

8C

Planning, Performance and Informatics

Ulster Hospital, Home 6

REPORTS TO

Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Chief Executive

JOB SUMMARY

The South Eastern Trust is one of five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland engaged in a programme of collaborative work to deliver the Regional Digital Strategy. This post offers a unique opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of technological change that will wholly enhance the staff and service user experience driving the digital agenda for the Trust.

The post holder will provide strategic specialist advice to the Director of Planning Performance & Informatics and to the Trust Executive Management Team and Trust Board on Digital Strategy, investment and policy adoption including cyber security, technical infrastructure and business critical systems and services.

As a member of the Planning, Performance and Informatics Senior Team the post holder will provide strong professional leadership to their Department and will play a full role in the management and development of an effective an efficient Digital Services Department in support of Healthcare delivery to the population served by the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.

The post holder will be professionally accountable and managerially responsible to the Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics for the full range of Digital Services Planning function.

The post holder will be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of their Department across directorates within their designated area of the Trust.

The post holder will also monitor compliance with all relevant statutory obligations and the requirements of the DoH and DHCNI devising and implementing remedial strategies as necessary, providing resolved specialist advise to the Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics and Trust Corporate Management Team

The Assistant Director of Digital Services Planning will have a strong focus on the planning and delivery of responsive, safe, customer focused service across their designated areas of responsibility.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be responsible for the efficient and effective management of all Digital Planning Services within the Trust and co-ordinating these activities with Directors and Senior Management.

The post holder will ensure Trust compliance with all relevant statutory obligations and the requirements of the DoH and DHCNI, devising and implementing strategies as necessary.

The post holder will provide strategic specialist advice to the Trust Board and Executive Team to ensure a safe digital environment for patients, clients and staff.

The post holder will act as the Trust’s lead professional for all Digital Services Planning issues and will be responsible for providing strong leadership to all Digital personnel and lead on the development of investment plans and business cases for Digital / ICT systems and infrastructure within the Trust, linking as appropriate with regional commissioners and making sure that commissioned projects are delivered successfully, on time and within budget.

The post holder will lead on Digital / ICT procurement and manage the Digital Services Division capital and revenue budget on behalf of the Director of Planning, Performance & Informatics, ensuring all processes are in line with legislative requirements and Department of Health guidance. Ensure that all Digital / ICT procurements meet the necessary security standards and recommendations including patching, compatibility and are fit for purpose.

Setting Direction

Lead on designated projects on behalf of the Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics across the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.

Determine the service needs, maintaining staffing levels and managing them accordingly.

Ensure the Digital Service planning function supports the delivery of the Trust’s corporate objectives and achievement of this strategic goals, in particular support and underpin the Trust’s clinical, managerial governance and performance systems.

To develop and ensure delivery of a set of key objectives and targets of for the Digital Management function.

To manage and provides strategic leadership of the Digital Management function within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.

Service Delivery

Delivery of safe, high quality, customer focused services and a well-maintained digital environment to support patient and client care and good clinical practice

Ensure services are continuously improved, that modernisation initiatives are implemented and that opportunities for benefits realisation are maximised

Ensuring compliance with all applicable Trust Policies, Statutory Standards and Health Service Guidance and the development and implementation of all Digital procedures, programmes and strategies

Responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of Digital Services Planning function in a complex healthcare environment and in accordance with Trust Policies & Procedures, Statutory Standards and Health Service Guidance.

Responsible for the management of elements of Digital Planning risks including Risk Assessment, development of prioritised plans, preparation of resource bids and implementation of action plans.

Responsible for consistent application and compliance with all standards across the entire digital infrastructure.

Responsible for elements of the procurement and delivery of the Digital Infrastructure including the design, specification and implementation within approved budget and programme accepting responsibility for their successful conclusion and ensuring compliance with all current legislation, DoH & DHCNI Directives

Responsible for the preparation of the design brief and the technical commissioning of any delegated digital capital developments, including checking compliance against set Standards & Statutory requirements

Develop and maintain high quality, cost effective information systems in respect of Digital Planning services.

As part of the Trust’s annual business planning process, and in consultation with other key stakeholders, provide specialist input to the annual investment programme showing planned, prioritised expenditure in respect of Cyber Security, Technical debt, Digital risk and Digital programme portfolio. Monitor, update and report on delegated elements of the programme throughout the year

Responsible for the development and maintenance of emergency and contingency plans to deal with major systems failure and to ensure continuity and consistency across the Trust, secure endorsement of finalised plans by the corporate organisation

Provide professional advice and/or technical information to Senior Managers, Directors, Chief Executive’s Office, Emergency Planning teams and external agencies, e.g. Business Services Organisation, on all complex issues within the job remit

Provide managerial, professional and technical input to Senior Managers, Directors, Chief Executive’s Office, to enable compliance with statutory regulations

Responsible for compliance with and satisfactory performance against applicable Controls Assurance Standards

Responsible for providing all evidence of compliance of Controls Assurance to the Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics

Develop local Digital workplans, policies and protocols required to meet the business needs of the Trust, overseen through the Trust’s management and governance structures, together with the capability and capacity required for their implementation. Ensure that these align with Regional Strategy, workplans and policies.

Lead and oversee the Trust’s contribution to regional and national developments within ICT and within the Digital field, and translate regional and national policy and strategy developments into the Trust context to meet both the present and future needs of the service

Managerial and budgetary responsibility for budgets within the job remit

Responsible for implementation of all statutory and mandatory legislation within job remit and for working with other healthcare professionals to develop solutions to overcome specific challenges.

Responsible for providing specialist professional advice and input to major capital development whether traditional procurement of procured under Public Private Partnership

Develop and implement systems to monitor progress of the Digital portfolio and prepare progress reports for Digital services and Information Governance Sub Committee.

Lead an integrated Digital Strategy Plan for the Trust which will facilitate modernisation and integration of the broad and complex range of services provided.

Strategic Planning & Development

Responsible for the Strategic Development of Digital Management and other associated services to meet the needs and objectives of the Trust

Participate in the preparation of business plans for the Digital Management associated service areas and contribute to the development of the Trust’s corporate plan on an annual basis

Participate in the development of proposals and plans for the improvement and development of the Trusts Digital infrastructure having regard to Trust Policies and constraints, for consideration by the Trust Board

Contribute to the Trust’s contracting and business planning process and advise on the assessment of priorities for capital and revenue expenditure in relation to the remit of the job

Represent the Trust on Regional Health Service Groups to progress specialist initiatives and dealing with matters that potentially affect the Trust’s digital infrastructure and associated services

Ensure the development of a multi-year strategic plan for the planning, prioritisation and delivery of the Digital strategy and associated digital portfolio.

Corporate Management

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems of Clinical & Social Care Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the Trust’s overall corporate governance processes to ensure the development of an integrated governance framework for the Trust that assures safe and effective care for patients and clients and complies with public sector values and codes of conduct, operations and accountability

Develop and maintain working relationships with other directorate colleagues to ensure achievement of Trust objectives

Attend meetings of the Trust Board and its committees as required to provide appropriate high quality information

Establish collaborative relationships and networks with external stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure the Trust effectively discharges its functions

Contribute to the Trust’s overall corporate governance processes to ensure the development of an integrated governance framework for the Trust that assures safe and effective care for patients and clients and compiles with public sector values and codes of conduct, operations and accountability

Lead by example in practising the highest standards of conduct in accordance with the Code of Conduct for HPSS Managers Support Services works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade many be assigned from time to time by Director of Finance and Estates

Communication and Information Management

Develop robust communication systems to support and promote the Estates Management functions

Ensure effective implementation of all Trust information management policies and procedures in the department

Develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders both internal and external to the health service to maintain best industry practice

Ensure the department’s systems and procedures for the management and storage of information meet internal and external reporting requirements

Quality & Governance

Ensure the needs of patients, client and their carers are the core of the way the Trust delivers services and that resources are effectively deployed to meet this needs

Ensure Digital Services strategies and objectives take cognisance of National and Regional Standards

Provide specialist input to ensure that Digital Services and associated functions achieve service objectives and user perspectives and the need to advance modernisation and reform in service models inform that operational delivery

Ensure robust standards of governance exist for Digital Services and are met within the Department, including the identification and management of financial risks

Provide professional support and advice in the development of Trust wide policy / procedures / emergency procedures for estate management and associated services to ensure compliance with Statutory Standards, DoH Guidance, relevant British / International Standards, National / Industrial Guidance

Ensure effective controls assurance and risk management strategies within the department and contributing to the Trust’s compliance with its corporate governance requirements

Ensure that up-to-date Risk Assessments are maintained for all key activities undertaken within the remit of the job

Establish and maintain effective close liaison with external bodies and professional groups involved in the regulation of Digital network information systems and associated services matters and its planned development

Ensure that robust quality management arrangements are in place in respect of the services within the job remit

Develop and maintain appropriate levels of user engagement in the provision of Digital Services

Ensure that robust quality management arrangements are in place in respect of the services within the job remit and take responsibility for key initiatives

Ensure that robust planning, consultation and performance management arrangements are developed and implemented in respect of the services within the job remit and that the highest level of compliance with regional and national targets is achieved

Execute all statutory duties imposed upon the Trust in respect of the services within the job remit

Support the effective maintenance of the Trust’s Risk Register

Financial and Resource Management

Contribute to the financial viability of the Trust by ensuring that services in the Digital Management remit operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, utilising benchmarking and other value for money techniques and complying with all financial targets and the Trust’s standing financial instructions, standing orders, code of conduct and accountability.

Implement arrangements to ensure strong financial management of all budgets within the function ensuring financial viability is maintained, best value achieved and all financial targets met.

Contribute to the Trust’s annual capital planning cycle by identifying the key ICT / Digital innovation priorities and presenting the case for investment.

Manage the Digital Services Division element of the Trust’s annual capital development budget.

Take full responsibility for budgetary and resource utilisation for the Digital management remit ensuring all financial targets within the department are met and work collaboratively with Finance department in the development and monitoring of financial plans and budgets to support the Trust to meet agreed performance targets and indicators.

People Management and Development

Provide clear leadership to staff within the Digital Services department and ensure it has a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce

Work closely with Senior Human Resources staff to take forward the development and implementation of workforce planning and modernisation initiatives

Ensure that management structures and practices in the department support a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement and innovation

Ensure the effective implementation of all Trust people management policies in the department and the achievement of all relevant targets such as relating to the management of sickness and absenteeism, turnover etc.

Ensure the effective management of staff health and safety support in the department

Deputise and provide cover, during for example annual leave, for the Director of Planning, Performance and Informatics as required

Participate in the Trust’s Staff Development and Performance Review Scheme. Review individually on a regular basis the performance of immediately subordinate staff. Provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training

Ensure that the review of performance identified above is performed for all levels of staff within the Trust in accordance with the Trust Board’s policy

Maintain good staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him / her

Where appropriate, review the organisational plan and establishment levels and ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives and recommend change where appropriate

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his / her control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining responsibility and accountability for results.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision-making.

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure it is managed correctly under the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and ensure that feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns raised, and how they were resolved.

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

August 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SERVICES (Planning)

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE: Planning, Performance and Informatics

SALARY: BAND 8C

HOURS: 37.5 HOURS

Ref No: 55884623

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

1a. A technology related university degree or relevant postgraduate qualification (Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics)

AND

Have worked for at least 3 years in the a senior IT management role* across a number of digital areas in a complex organisation**

OR

1.b Have worked for at least 5 years in a senior IT management role* across a number of digital areas in a complex organisation**

2. Experience of complex financial budgetary and resource management including significant*** (£500k and above in value) digital capital and revenue streams to meet a full range of key targets.

3. Experience working collaboratively with senior stakeholders across a complex system, partners and contractors to ensure that the impact and delivery of Digital element of projects are maximised to achieve improved service delivery.

4. Demonstrate the ability, evidenced with experience, of leading and implementing complex Digital solutions with demonstrable benefit realisation and successful outcomes.

5. Experience of working with newer methods and technologies to deliver value for users (e.g. agile delivery, cloud, smartphone apps, AI etc.).

The following additional clarification is provided

*Senior Management role is defined as experience gained at a minimum of Band 8a or equivalent for at least two years, having significant responsibility for a function or department, which includes budget management and staff management in a major complex organisation.

**Major Complex Organisation is defined as an organisation having at least 200 staff with a budget of at least £50 million which involves meeting a wide range of objectives requiring a high degree of co-ordination with a range of stakeholders.

***Significant: is defined as experience of leading the planning and delivery of large-scale ‘ICT enabled’ improvements in quality, cost improvement and organisational capability.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Excellent communication skills including providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive or contentious information and writing highly complex reports.

You must be able to demonstrate high level influencing, governance, leadership and organisational skills for a minimum of 2 years;

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Have experience of Health and Social Care (HSC)/ NHS organisation, functions and current issues within information and communication technologies.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Experience of working within the Public Sector Digital programme at band 8a or above.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at:http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Connecting our service

Sharing the vision

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

Influencing for results.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times