Head of Strategic Improvement (Digital & Capital)

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated senior leader to join UHL as Head of Strategic Improvement (Digital & Capital).

This is a pivotal role supporting the delivery of digitally enabled improvement, service redesign and capital development across one of the largest and busiest NHS trusts in the country. You will act as a key link between operational services, clinical teams, One Digital, estates, finance and corporate colleagues to ensure that digital and capital priorities are shaped by real operational need and deliver measurable benefits for patients, colleagues and services.

The post holder will provide visible leadership across complex and high-profile programmes, supporting teams to translate strategy into practical delivery.

You will work closely with senior leaders across the Trust.  A key part of the role will be ensuring that digital solutions land well in operational services and that improvement, digital and capital programmes are coordinated effectively across organisational boundaries.

We are looking for a collaborative, credible and values-driven leader with significant experience of delivering transformation in complex environments.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a leading role in shaping digitally enabled improvement and strategic change at UHL, helping us deliver better services for the people of LLR.

Main duties of the job

• Provide senior leadership for the delivery of digitally enabled improvement, service redesign and capital development across the Trust.
• Act as a key link between operational services, clinical teams, One Digital, estates, finance and corporate colleagues, ensuring that digital and capital priorities are shaped by operational and clinical need.
• Lead and support complex improvement programmes that improve quality, safety, productivity, patient experience, colleague experience and financial sustainability.
• Work with senior leaders across Clinical Management Groups and Corporate Directorates to identify opportunities for digital enablement, service improvement and capital investment.
• Strengthen programme governance, reporting and assurance arrangements to support effective decision-making and delivery at pace.
• Ensure improvement activity is data driven, clinically informed and aligned to Trust priorities, national policy and wider system objectives.
• Lead, manage, coach and develop members of the team, supporting colleagues working across digital, improvement and capital programmes within a matrix management structure.
• Build strong and credible relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior operational and clinical leaders, One Digital, finance, estates, commissioners, NHS England colleagues, system partners and suppliers.
• Monitor delivery of key programmes, risks, milestones and benefits, taking action to resolve issues and escalate where appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please reference the job description and person specification.

Key duties include,

• Act as the principal link between One Digital and operational services, translating digital strategy into practical improvement and ensuring operational and clinical needs shape digital priorities.
• Provide specialist leadership and support to managers, clinicians and corporate teams on digital enablement, service improvement and capital development.
• Support and coordinate the development and delivery of digital programmes, improvement plans and capital schemes, ensuring Trust and national deadlines are achieved.
• Ensure the Trust maximises quality, productivity and value through well planned investment, programme delivery and service redesign.
• Manage, lead and develop the team and provide coaching and oversight to colleagues operating within a matrix structure across digital, improvement and capital programmes.
• Work closely with One Digital, senior managers, clinicians, finance, estates and capital teams to ensure effective development and delivery of programmes, supported by robust business intelligence, planning and performance information.
• Advise and support CMGs and Corporate Directorates on service developments linked to digital enablement, improvement and capital investment.
• Act as a point of contact for digital improvement and capital activity across CMGs and Corporate Directorates, building effective internal and external relationships to support benchmarking, innovation and identification of new opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of financially robust business cases and proposals for digital, capital and revenue investment, and support implementation of agreed developments and benefits realisation.
• Support digitally enabled transformation and major capital developments, ensuring improvement activity is data driven and aligned to service redesign, operational readiness and delivery of benefits.
• Champion user-led design, working with clinical and operational colleagues so that digital solutions reduce friction and meet real-world needs.
• Deputise for the Associate Director of Operations - Improvement as required.