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Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
37 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Planning Skills
Plan, monitor and control complex multi-project programmes, using structured methodology
- Planning Skills
Portfolio and programme level risk, issue and dependency management – (cross‑programme/system dependencies, structured escalation)
- Planning Skills
Financial management of multi‑year, multi‑project programme budgets with transparent reporting to project boards and other financial management groups
- Planning Skills
Work to tight and often changing timescales; organise workload
- Planning Skills
Influence the development of standardised PMO processes and documentation
- Planning Skills
Work with key stakeholders to develop plans
- Planning Skills
Benefits led delivery (set benefit profiles/KPIs, assign owners, baseline/track via dashboards, link to Trust/CIP objectives)
- Planning Skills
Recovered or re‑baselined challenged programmes (diagnosed root causes, reset scope/governance, restored delivery confidence)
- Analytical Skills
Analyse and resolve complex problems to successful conclusion
- Analytical Skills
Benefits analysis and tracking (as part of benefits identification/management)
- Analytical Skills
Risk identification, assessment and mitigation, often complex and/or cross cutting multiple risk domains
- Analytical Skills
Option appraisal within business cases
- Analytical Skills
Process analysis for clinical/administrative improvement
- Management Skills
Line management responsibilities
- Management Skills
Management of Project Managers and organisation of project staff
- Management Skills
Leadership of large, complex change programmes
- Management Skills
Supplier management and joint supplier/customer team working
- Management Skills
Negotiation skills; understanding of commercial agreements, contracts and frameworks
- Management Skills
Build and sustain effective relationships across organisational boundaries
- Communication Skills
Advanced stakeholder influence at senior management/board level (balance clinical, operational and financial trade-offs)
- Communication Skills
Summarise complex information and present to mixed/non technical audiences
- Communication Skills
Communicate a range of IT, risks, complex topics and issues to a non technical audienc
- Communication Skills
Strong interpersonal skills; establish and maintain good working relationships across the Trust and local health community
- Communication Skills
Facilitate meetings/workshops and deliver presentations to varying organisational levels
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2 or similar)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience; programme management focus preferred)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Master’s level qualification or equivalent senior-level experience
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
In depth specialist technical knowledge of implementing/using IT systems in healthcare
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Familiarity with standard project methodologies and good knowledge of programme management
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Delivering healthcare projects on time and within budget in complex environments
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Clinical or administrative process improvement experience
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Benefits identification and benefits management (strong understanding)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Risk management (excellent understanding of processes)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Appreciation of current and emerging computer technologies — (knowledge component)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Integrated clinical safety and Information Governance requirements into programme plans and critical paths
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Established and chaired programme level governance
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Led SOC/OBC/FBC development and approval, secured investment, and oversaw benefits realisation to closure
Desirable
5 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Analytical Skills
Data/BI fluency to specify and use programme dashboards for decision‑making and assurance
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner or equivalent programme management certification
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Advanced commercial/procurement training (e.g., contract management, SoW, SLA basics in NHS context)
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Thorough understanding of the NHS Information Governance environment
- Training, Knowledge and Experience
Expert knowledge of PAS/EPR’S and other hospital/health-based systems
Job overview
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) is recruiting a Senior Digital Programme Lead to drive major digital transformation across the organisation. The role leads delivery of high‑impact digital programmes, including but not limited to, Electronic Patient Record development, enterprise network replacement, clinical and corporate system implementation, and digital‑enabled service transformation to improve patient care, staff experience and operational efficiency.
The post holder will manage multiple interdependent projects across both organisations, ensuring strong delivery discipline, clear outcomes and measurable benefits. A deep understanding of digital transformation is essential, recognising its role in advancing clinical and operational ambitions. Experience in areas such as digital system implementation, network installation, data migration or business intelligence is highly valued.
Working within the BFT and it’s Clinical Strategy, the role provides senior leadership across organisational boundaries, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, at pace and with digital as a key enabler of service change. This senior leadership position requires significant delivery expertise, excellent stakeholder engagement and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, multi‑organisational NHS environment.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide senior leadership and accountability for end‑to‑end delivery of complex digital programmes, ensuring alignment with Group priorities, clinical strategy and organisational goals. They will lead multiple interdependent projects across Trust boundaries, managing sequencing, dependencies and coherent delivery. A strong focus on outcomes is essential, with responsibility for defining, tracking and realising programme‑level benefits. The role includes managing capital budgets, ensuring accurate reporting and optimal use of funding, as well as overseeing key supplier relationships and holding vendors to account during delivery.
The post holder will act as the senior delivery interface for executive, clinical, operational and digital leaders, offering clear assurance, progress updates and escalation. They will proactively manage risks, issues and constraints, applying structured problem‑solving and timely escalation. Strong governance, assurance and reporting are required, alongside the ability to exercise autonomous professional judgement. The role also involves leading and mentoring programme and project management teams, strengthening delivery capability and driving continuous improvement across the Digital Programmes portfolio. They will contribute to maturing programme practices and champion professional development and digital advocacy across the organisation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Digital Programme Lead with North Bristol NHS Trust in Bristol, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Programme manager role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 pa. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Oct 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (17 Sep 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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