Senior Digital Programme LeadNHS

Job summary

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.

Job description

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit andretaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your applicationin order toensurewe'remeeting our pledge.