Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, strategic Head of Technology and Data to lead the technology, engineering and data capabilities of the Southwest Secure Data Environment (SWSDE).

SWSDE is a secure, trusted environment enabling health and care data to support research, innovation, service improvement and transformation. It works with NHS organisations, universities and research partners to improve outcomes and decision-making.

The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership for technology and data, shaping the strategy, architecture, engineering capability and operating model so the platform remains secure, resilient, scalable and aligned with national standards.

We need an established leader who can shape strategy, deliver complex technical programmes and build high-performing teams. NHS or healthcare experience is valuable, but applicants from other complex or regulated sectors are welcome.

You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, bringing substantial leadership experience in technology, cloud platforms, data engineering or digital services. You will lead multidisciplinary teams and partners to deliver secure, resilient services in a complex environment.

The role is administratively based in Bristol, and applications are welcome from across the Southwest. Flexible working is available from regional locations and home, with travel to partner organisations as required.

Main duties of the job
The postholder will:

• Lead the SWSDE technology and data function and develop its strategy, architecture, engineering capability and long-term roadmap.
• Oversee secure cloud infrastructure, data platforms and technology services, ensuring they are resilient, scalable and aligned with NHS and organisational standards.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, including data engineers, platform specialists and technical managers, while building sustainable in-house capability.
• Direct technology and data projects through effective prioritisation, governance, risk management and delivery oversight.
• Set technical policies, standards, service levels and operating frameworks, and oversee onboarding, platform development, interoperability and data engineering.
• Manage suppliers, cloud providers and technology partners, including procurement, commissioning and contracts.
• Control technology budgets, cloud costs, licensing and resources to deliver value for money.
• Promote secure-by-design, automation, infrastructure-as-code and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert advice and clear technical, operational, financial and performance information to leaders, governance groups and partners.
• Represent the SWSDE technology and data function at regional and national forums.

About us
We are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community; from people of all ages, disabled people, all genders, people from ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with diverse gender identity and expression, people from all religions and beliefs and other diverse characteristics, and we have processes in place to ensure that all applications are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities
Educated to master's level or equivalent senior-level experience within technology, digital or data services.

Significant experience leading technology, cloud, platform or data services within a complex or regulated environment.

Strong technical knowledge across cloud infrastructure, data engineering, interoperability, architecture and secure digital services.

Extensive experience leading and developing multidisciplinary technical teams.

Experience setting technology strategy and delivering complex technical programmes, roadmaps and service improvements.

Ability to combine strategic leadership with practical oversight of delivery, performance and technical operations.

Strong understanding of information governance, cyber security, data protection and relevant compliance frameworks.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills, including experience working with senior leaders and external partners.

Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage risk and operate effectively in complex or ambiguous situations.

Experience managing competing priorities and delivering programmes within agreed timescales and resources.

Experience of budget management, financial planning, procurement and supplier or contract management within technology or digital services.

Understanding of NHS structures and digital transformation, or the ability to apply experience gained in another complex or regulated sector.

Commitment to collaborative leadership, equality, innovation and continuous improvement.

Desirable
Experience working with Secure Data Environments, Trusted Research Environments or health research infrastructure.

Knowledge of SATRE, the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, ISO 27001 or related security and assurance standards.

Relevant cloud, cyber security, architecture or technical qualifications.

Experience of DevOps, automation, infrastructure-as-code, platform engineering or agile delivery.

Experience managing cloud services, licensing, platform performance or large-scale technology suppliers.

Experience working across regional or national partnerships and representing organisations in relevant professional forums.

Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential

• Educated to masters level or equivalent experience working at a senior level within a specialist technology, digital or data environment.
• Developed specialist knowledge gained through postgraduate study, professional qualification or significant senior experience in technology, cloud, engineering, digital platforms or data services
• Significant experience leading technology, cloud, platform or data services within complex, regulated or public sector environments.
• Extensive experience of leading multidisciplinary technical teams and managing operational and strategic delivery across complex programmes.
• Strong understanding of NHS structures, healthcare policy, digital transformation and the relationship between local, regional and national NHS organisations.
• Significant experience of secure data environments, cloud infrastructure, interoperability, technical architecture and engineering capability development.
• In-depth understanding of information governance, cyber security, data protection and relevant compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrates strong digital literacy and confident use of digital systems, cloud technologies and collaboration platforms.

Desirable

• Experience working within NHS Secure Data Environments (SDEs), Trusted Research Environments (TREs) or health research infrastructure programmes
• Knowledge of SATRE, DSPT, ISO27001 or related assurance and security standards.
• Cloud or technical certifications such as AWS, Azure, CISSP, TOGAF or equivalent.
• Experience of DevOps, automation, infrastructure-as-code or platform engineering approaches.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.

Communication
Essential

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with experience delivering complex and sensitive messages to senior stakeholders, boards and external partners.
• Ability to explain complex technical, architectural and operational concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence across organisational, professional and system boundaries.

Desirable

• Experience representing organisations within regional or national technical, digital or research forums.

Analytical
Essential

• Ability to analyse highly complex technical, operational and organisational issues and develop strategic and operational solution
• Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and implement mitigating actions across large-scale technology and data services.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Experience interpreting national policy, standards and technical guidance and applying these within operational and strategic environments.

Desirable

• Experience analysing platform performance, cloud consumption, operational metrics or service data to support transformation and improvement activities.

Planning Skills
Essential

• Significant experience planning and delivering complex technology, cloud, infrastructure or data programmes within agreed timescales and resources.
• Experience developing technology strategies, operational plans, technical roadmaps or service improvement programmes
• Ability to manage competing priorities, operational pressures and evolving organisational requirements.

Desirable

• Experience of agile delivery, programme management or enterprise architecture approaches.

Management Skills
Essential

• Significant experience leading, motivating and developing multidisciplinary technical teams and associated resources.
• Experience of financial management, budget setting, supplier management and operational delivery within technology or digital services.
• Experience of leading organisational change, service improvement or capability development o Experience building in-house engineering or cloud capability and reducing reliance on external delivery partners. 9 programmes

Desirable

• Experience building in-house engineering or cloud capability and reducing reliance on external delivery partners.

Autonomy
Essential

• Ability to work independently at senior level, providing expert technical and strategic advice within a complex and changing environment.
• Ability to make autonomous decisions on complex technical, operational and strategic issues.
• Experience interpreting national policy, standards or technical guidance for organisational implementation.

Physical Skills
Essential

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools with appropriate keyboard and system skills.

Equality and Diversity
Essential

• Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Financial and Physical Resources
Essential

• Significant experience managing budgets, financial planning, resource allocation and financial governance within technology, digital or operational services.

Desirable

• Experience managing cloud consumption, licensing or largescale supplier contracts.

Other
Essential

• Strong leadership, relationship-building and team working skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work flexibly and lead within a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery and technical detail.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and commitment to organisational values.
• Positive approach to innovation, change and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience working across organisational boundaries within regional or national partnerships

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.