Job Description

Are you a visionary technology leader ready to transform healthcare? Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Technical Officer (CTO) to join our dynamic Digital leadership team. Reporting to the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), you'll play a central role in delivering one of the most ambitious digital transformation programmes in the NHS.



You'll lead technical strategy and operations across Clinical and Diagnostic Systems, Applications, Integration, Cybersecurity, and Countywide IT Services (CITS), ensuring secure, resilient, and high-performing environments that directly enhance patient care. With strategic and operational responsibility for over 130 staff and a 15M budget, this is a role with real scale, influence, and purpose.



We're looking for an inspiring, forward-thinking leader with deep experience in complex environments, the ability to manage high-performing teams, and a passion for innovation. If you're driven to make a lasting impact, can engage diverse stakeholders, and thrive in fast-paced settings--this is your opportunity to lead the future of digital healthcare.



Join Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and help shape a smarter, safer, and more connected NHS.

Expected Interview Date:

27/06/2025



Deputise for the CDIO at Trust, regional and national level as needed



Oversee the engagement with clinicians and support the CCIO in the implementation of the EPR in conjunction with the EPR Project Management team.



Establish and maintain regular contact with internal and external stakeholders and will often need to engage with them over sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential issues.



Participate in relevant internal and external working groups/projects, services and initiatives to provide project, information and analytical advice and expertise.



Ensure areas of best practice in relation to the digital agenda are shared across the organisation



Work with the CDIO in order to deliver the digital strategy.



Actively engage with national bodies e.g. NHS England on policy, programmes and best practice.



We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.



With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.



Overview



Working alongside the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of an ambitious digital transformation programmes. The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) will be responsible for the Clinical Systems, Diagnostic Systems, Applications, Integration, Development and System Architecture Teams as well as Countywide IT Services (CITS).



The post holder will support the CDIO in leading the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well-co-ordinated digital service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.



Job purpose



To provide visible leadership to the digital and information teams, deputising for the CDIO as required, and ensuring teams within CTO remit deliver on strategic, operational and regulatory objectives.



Lead strategically and operationally on all aspects of the Trust technical, system, integration and application architecture ensuring safe, resilience and highly-performing environments



Develop and deliver the technical strategy for the Trust including enterprise architecture, systems and security architecture, integration, cyber-security posture, systems development and diagnostic, clinical and corporate systems.



Manage revenue and capital budgets for all teams including the County-wide IT Service (CITS) ensuring delivery against financial plan, delivery of Cost Improvement Plans, and evidenced value-for money services.



Work with national bodies e.g. NHSE on policy, programmes and best practice



Develop, in conjunction with the CDIO long term digital strategies



Provide effective leadership and direction, engaging and managing stakeholders in order to deliver high profile and digital change



To lead on the development of strategic planning and provision of a high-quality service, consistent with the overall digital strategy and provide management of the teams within the Applications & Clinical Systems portfolio



Oversee the design, implementation, testing, maintenance and future development of complex and robust applications, relational databases, reporting systems and the provision of technical support for Trust applications



Provide specialist technical advice to the Trust to enable effective application development and integration through highly complex analysis, interpretation, design, testing and maintenance practices



Be a subject-matter expert in the practical application of advanced technology and technological solutions



Support the transformation programme and ultimately delivering significant improvements to patient safety, quality, and experience



Manage Technical Projects from initialisation of scheme/project and option appraisal through to successful implementation and sign off



Initiate proposals and prepare plans, where required, to bring about change that ensures that Technical Projects, Integration and Development Services continue to pro-actively support Trust



Ensure that there is sufficient capacity within the team, and understand the impact on BAU operational work with the implementation of new systems and processes



Ensure all new technology and releases of software are reviewed and assessed to ensure compatibility and operability with existing technology and software



Ensure all unplanned downtime is reviewed and analysed and a fully documented root cause analysis is completed



Work with the operational divisions to analyse and deliver highly complex solutions, leading them through the process



Liaise with all departments to identify further opportunities for Integration and Development for the benefit of the services and clinical patient care



Working with the IT & Cyber Teams to ensure that all components used within the department are secure, and following trust standards



To develop a team structure and underlying processes which will ensure that the deliverables within the Trust strategy and vision are achieved.



To be an effective member of the CDIO leadership team



Report progress to all key stakeholders, escalating issues, risks and programme decisions



Establish and maintain professional and effective relationships and contract governance with third party providers



Ensure effective management of resources and funds to deliver within the agreed financial envelope



Contribute to the overall successful performance of the Trust



Management of Others



Responsible as a line manager for multiple departments within the digital directorate. Overseeing the planning, allocation and direct workload of the Department Heads to achieve internal/external deadlines, outcomes, agreed work plan and strategic direction. The postholder through effective leadership will ensure team members understand the key objectives and outputs for their areas of work and individual role, and are adequately trained and supported to deliver key outputs.



Responsible for direct Departmental staffing currently around 130 WTE and budgets of approximately 15 Strategic and operational lead for CITS, Clinical Systems and Diagnostics.



Support the CDIO in the line management of the Division.



Operational requirements



To support the Trust on call rota, ensuring key relationships with the operational and clinical teams and support Operational performance.



Working within the overall strategic objectives, devise, implement and monitor the strategy and annual plan.



Evaluate, interpret and locally implement best practice and new digital health innovations.



Lead the Trust in the development of activity plans at Directorate and specialty level ensuring that they link with finance and workforce plans. This will require analysis of highly complex multi stranded information resulting in decisions that may be sensitive or contentious in nature and where opinion may differ



Report progress against the digital strategy through personal representation at senior management forums and by written reports to appropriate boards and groups of staff.



Present complex information on all aspects of function practice in a clear, understandable and audience-appropriate manner to senior management and board level groups.



Challenge ways of working and persuade, motivate and influence other senior managers to realign their practice where necessary.



Manage third party suppliers ensuring the service which is delivered is in line with contractual agreements and meets the requirements of the organisation



Personally lead, support and contribute to formal negotiations with senior level staff from external stakeholders, providing a high level of negotiating expertise to secure the most advantageous arrangements.



Work closely with the CDIO to advise on innovative opportunities and support all departments in their strategies and programmes to maximise service benefits.



Ensure the securing of value for money, giving due consideration to all relevant factors including risk, quality and other factors.



Represent the department on matters pertaining to service reconfiguration and technical innovation as required



Deputise for the CDIO as required.



Financial and Physical Resources



The post holder will have operational budgetary responsibility for the services provided within the post holders areas of responsibility. This will include evaluating the value for money of new contracts, monitoring the performance of existing providers and ensuring that provider performance aligns, and complies, with contractual terms and conditions;



Act in a way that is compliant with Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions in the discharge of this responsibility.



Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency in the use of these budgets and to ensure that they operate in recurrent financial balance year on year.



General conditions Confidentiality



In the course of your employment, you may have access to, see or hear confidential information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and or staff. Unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must such information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duties. Breaches of confidence, including improper passing of registered computer data, will result in disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. You should be aware that regardless of any action taken by your employing authority, a breach of confidence could result in a civil action for damages.



In addition, records, including VDU screens and computer printouts of registered data must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them. Written records must either be destroyed or retained in safe custody when no longer required, VDU screens should always be cleared when unattended.