Job Description

An exciting opportunity has become available within Alder Hey's Digital Service - iDigital. We are looking for a talented, highly motivated Chief Technical Officer to spearhead our digital technology services.



The post holder will, under the direction of the Deputy Chief Digital Information Officer, be responsible for all service activities relating to the delivery of Operational IT, Enterprise Architecture, Cyber Security and Information Governance. This will include the management of all staff and suppliers engaged in those activities.



They will direct the services, using a facilitative approach to improve the experience for service staff, patients and families. This role will involve some complex negotiation with senior managers at both at an operational and strategic level.



Champion digital innovation that modernises care delivery at Alder Hey.

Lead the development of a forward-thinking infrastructure strategy that underpins the digital ambitions of the organisations 2030 strategy.

Ensure IT services are responsive, reliable, and aligned to user needs.

Build digital capability across the workforce through skills development.

Lead the development and execution of a robust cyber strategy to enhance organisational resilience.

Provide strategic oversight of Information Governance, Health Records, Access to Health, ensuring strong assurance and accountability frameworks.

Foster collaboration with clinical teams, system partners, and suppliers to deliver improved outcomes.

Drive continuous service improvement and ensure value for money in all digital investments.

Act as the senior escalation point for critical IT incidents impacting clinical services and participate in the senior leadership on-call rota.

Negotiate and manage contracts and ensure suppliers provide value for money and deliver in-line with contractual agreement

Support the management and development of staff working within iDigital services, providing clear leadership and guidance.

Escalate any risks, issues or challenges within their portfolio to the appropriate persons at the appropriate time, attempting to work with minimal supervision to seek potential resolutions ahead of doing so.



Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust is a provider of specialist health care to over 450,000 children and young people each year. In addition to the hospital site located in the West Derby area of Liverpool, Alder Hey has a presence in community outreach sites and, in collaboration with other providers, our clinicians help deliver care closer to patients' homes by holding local clinics at locations from Cumbria to Shropshire, in Wales and the Isle of Man. The Trust also provides inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs at our Alder Park building in the nearby borough of Sefton.



We currently have more than 4,000 staff working across our community and hospital sites. We're also a teaching and training hospital providing education and training to around 540 medical and over 500 nursing and allied health professional students each year.



As black and minority ethnic (BME) employees are currently under-represented in this area, we particularly welcome applications from members of our BME communities. All appointments will be made on merit.



You can expect a warm welcome at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours.



Lead development and mobilisation of the Trust's digital strategy in support of the overall strategic aims to drive benefit through the use of available systems and technology.

Work with Local, Regional, and National Bodies/Partners together with Suppliers to develop a strategy that takes into account the Trust's needs, external requirements, and technological advancements.

Lead the development and execution of the Trust Cyber Strategy aligned and compliant with good industry practice, ensuring cyber risks are identified, mitigated, and governed.

Develop a culture and enhancement of skills for staff that ensures digital, cyber, and technology change is engaged with users from the outset; supported by IM&T Management Team and Trust communications.

Directly manage senior IT staff and multiple Services supporting the shaping, development of team structures, and talent management to ensure staff have progression opportunities and to allow for effective succession planning.

Interface with technology suppliers, ensuring good practice, value for money, and high-quality, service-focused business outcomes with a strong user focus.

Understand technology market and sector trends and assist the Senior Management Team in developing strategies to maximise strengths and minimise business risk.

Working with the Innovation Dept to identify technology that will both modernise and sustain existing systems, translating these into a delivery programme.

Own and deliver the digital systems programme for customers and the associated enablers of network connectivity, IT infrastructure, cloud, and user adoption; whilst ensuring resilience, service continuity, and the security of information & systems.

Provide strategic advice on technology advancements, identifying new and emerging technologies and products based on assessing their relevance and potential value to the Trust and the people we care for.

Positively influence the service standards provided by both the internal IT team and third parties in relation to technology solutions, ensuring the approach to IT support is matched to the technology.

Own and lead the Trust's Cyber Security strategy, ensuring a high level of assurance and organisational resilience

Ensure compliance with national cyber standards and best practices (e.g. Cyber Essentials, patching, MDE, CareCERTs).

Set strategic direction and ensure proactive service delivery for Information Governance, Access to Health, Transcription and Health Records.

Lead the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures across key digital and information domains.



Interpret and operationalize national policy and legislation within the Trust, ensuring alignment with Trust policies.