Head of Data Solutions & Innovation

Job Overview

This role covers the whole Trust, including external organisations such as Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), Local Authorities and Acute providers where collaborative digital and analytical solutions are required.

The Head of Data Solutions and Innovation works across CNWL Data, Digital, Transformation and operational services to support the discovery, development and implementation of innovative business, analytical and digital solutions.

The postholder provides strategic advice and solution leadership to ensure that emerging technologies, data and analytical capabilities, including AI, RPA, advanced analytics and the Federated Data Platform, are aligned to organisational priorities, enterprise standards and good governance.

Main duties of the job

The Head of Data Solutions and Innovation will provide strategic leadership across Business Intelligence, Digital, Transformation and operational services, ensuring business, analytical and digital solutions are developed in a coordinated way that supports patient care, operational effectiveness and organisational performance.

The postholder will provide expert advice on the application of modern data, digital and emerging technologies, including AI, advanced analytics, automation, cloud platforms, Microsoft technologies, the Federated Data Platform, Snowflake, Tableau and Power BI. They will ensure solutions align with organisational priorities, enterprise standards and long-term strategic objectives.

Working with clinical, operational, corporate and technical stakeholders, the postholder will act as a strategic entry point for complex requests, helping define business needs, evaluate options and direct requirements to the appropriate delivery function. They will support business cases and implementation approaches, ensuring solutions maximise organisational value while balancing innovation, reuse, affordability, risk and good governance.

Working for our organisation

Are you an experienced senior leader with the vision and influence to harness data, digital technology and innovation to improve patient care and organisational performance?

We’re excited to offer an internal opportunity to join the Information, Performance and Data Directorate as our Head of Data Solutions & Innovation.

This influential Trust-wide role will work across clinical, operational, corporate and technical services, acting as a trusted strategic advisor to help leaders navigate complex challenges and develop innovative, practical and sustainable solutions.

You’ll help shape the Trust’s approach to data-driven innovation, guiding the use of existing and emerging capabilities including AI, advanced analytics, automation, cloud platforms, Microsoft technologies, Snowflake, Tableau, Power BI and the Federated Data Platform.

We’re looking for a forward-thinking leader who can

• Provide strategic advice and constructive challenge
• Translate complex needs into credible solutions
• Influence and build consensus across organisational boundaries
• Balance innovation with governance, affordability, risk and long-term value
• Communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Trust’s future direction and champion data-led solutions that deliver meaningful benefits for our services, colleagues and patients.

Ready to bring your experience, leadership and vision to the role? We’d love to hear from you.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The post holder will support the Director of Performance, Information and BI by translating strategic priorities into innovative business, data and digital solutions that improve patient care, operational effectiveness and organisational performance. Working across Business Intelligence, Digital, Transformation and operational services, they will provide strategic advice, facilitate solution development and promote innovation across the Trust.

Solution Strategy & Innovation

The post holder will act as a strategic entry point for significant business, analytical and digital requests, working with colleagues to assess needs, understand underlying problems and define clear objectives before solution design or delivery.

They will support the Trust’s strategic approach to business, analytical and digital solutions, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, national NHS strategies and existing capabilities. They will identify opportunities to apply technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, cloud platforms, Microsoft technologies, automation and the Federated Data Platform (FDP) to improve patient care, operational effectiveness and organisational performance.

The post holder will evaluate solution options, balancing technical capability with organisational need, affordability, sustainability and long-term value, while promoting the reuse and optimisation of existing platforms and capabilities. They will maintain expert knowledge of emerging technologies, including AI, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, Tableau, Power BI, automation and national NHS digital capabilities, advising on their potential organisational value.

They will contribute to business cases, options appraisals and strategic proposals, ensuring benefits, risks, dependencies, governance and implementation considerations are clearly articulated, while encouraging innovative, pragmatic and proportionate solutions.

Solution Design & Governance

The post holder will lead and support the development and evaluation of business, analytical and digital solutions, considering business and user requirements, clinical workflows, information governance, technical feasibility, affordability and sustainability.

They will ensure solution designs and implementation approaches align with Trust digital strategy, enterprise architecture principles and national NHS standards, with robust DevOps, testing and effective transition into business-as-usual support.

The post holder will provide strategic advice and constructive challenge on significant digital and analytical initiatives, promoting consistent design principles, governance and best practice. Working with Data Engineering, Digital and other partners, they will ensure solutions are technically feasible, operationally practical, scalable and appropriately governed.

They will support governance that enables innovation while maintaining compliance with information governance, cyber security, clinical safety and statutory and regulatory requirements. They will interpret relevant local and national policy changes and assess implications for Trust data, digital priorities, services and processes.

The post holder will assess and communicate solution impacts, dependencies, risks, costs, benefits and opportunities throughout the software lifecycle. They will manage key aspects of major projects, including suppliers and technical, project and operational resources, ensuring capacity planning and service escalations are appropriately managed.

They will work independently, challenge traditional practices and encourage innovative problem-solving across multidisciplinary teams. Through horizon scanning, they will identify opportunities to harmonise technologies, reduce duplication and rationalise the Trust’s supplier footprint.

The post holder will also develop and deliver a data and digital inclusion plan with wider data and digital teams, monitoring progress and adapting the approach as technologies evolve.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Leadership

The post holder will build strong relationships across Business Intelligence, Digital, Transformation, clinical services and corporate functions, acting as a trusted strategic advisor to clinical, operational and corporate leaders on solutions, innovation and emerging technologies.

They will facilitate workshops and engagement to understand business needs and ensure stakeholders remain appropriately engaged throughout the solution lifecycle. They will bring together business, technical and operational perspectives to develop effective solution recommendations.

The post holder will maintain relationships with external partners, including Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), NHS England, Local Authorities, academic partners and technology suppliers, promoting innovation, knowledge sharing and common standards.

They will prepare and present reports, business cases and strategic recommendations to senior leaders, communicating complex technical and analytical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. They will represent the Trust at relevant internal and external forums relating to digital innovation, analytics, AI and solution development.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

The post holder will develop, review and support the implementation of policies, guidelines and service level agreements, alongside the introduction and improvement of systems and services to meet user requirements.

They will assess the contractual, commercial and financial implications of technical decisions and contribute to technical architecture and development protocols, promoting architecture best practice. They will also develop and maintain policies relating to patient use of technical solutions, including AI, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), FDP and Microsoft technologies.

Responsibility for Financial & Physical Resources

The post holder will manage contractual relationships with third-party suppliers and budgets within allocated resources, including capital funding, in accordance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions. They will lead appropriate data and digital procurement exercises and identify solutions that support efficiency savings and quality improvements.

They will contribute to effective budget management, identify investment opportunities and align available resources with workstreams and projects, monitoring expenditure against agreed areas.

The role will include analysis, interpretation and production of complex reports, including financial returns. The post holder will ensure the Technology Solutions federated team follows data management best practice, including efficient code development and appropriate monitoring of cloud expenditure.

Staff Management and Leadership

The post holder will manage direct reports, including annual appraisals, supervision, sickness absence, leave and relevant payroll documentation. They will provide professional oversight and contribute to the development and appraisal of wider federated staff where appropriate.

They will undertake investigations and complaints as delegated, manage staff on a day-to-day basis and support the recruitment and selection of permanent and temporary staff, including partnering technical services staff.

The post holder will promote continuous professional development, ensuring they and their teams remain informed of developments within the specialty, including relevant legislative and national requirements.

Physical Skills

The role requires standard keyboard skills and the ability to manipulate complex data at speed.

Physical Effort

The role involves light physical effort, including carrying or moving equipment, alongside periods of sitting or standing in restricted positions when required.

Mental Effort

The role requires sustained concentration and the ability to analyse, interpret and compare highly complex information from multiple sources to evaluate options and design appropriate technical solutions.

Emotional Effort

The post holder will manage complex workforce issues, including performance, grievance and disciplinary matters, and support cultural and behavioural change, including where there is resistance.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in Business Intelligence, Digital, ICT, Information Management or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience of leading the discovery and evaluation of complex business, analytical and digital requirements.
• Experience of acting as a strategic advisor to senior clinical, operational and corporate stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of solution design principles, enterprise architecture concepts and governance within large, complex organisations.
• Expert knowledge of modern analytical, cloud and AI technologies, including platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, RPA, Snowflake, Tableau, Power BI and the Federated Data Platform (FDP), with the ability to advise on their appropriate application.
• Experience of evaluating technology options and recommending solutions based on business need, affordability, technical feasibility and organisational priorities.
• Understanding of NHS digital strategy, national programmes, interoperability standards and information governance requirements.
• Experience of developing business cases, options appraisals and strategic recommendations for senior decision makers.
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated solutions.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of horizon scanning and evaluating emerging technologies and industry best practice.
• Experience of supplier engagement and evaluating third-party digital products and services.

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Master's degree in information management, Computer Science, Digital Health, Business Intelligence or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in digital technologies, analytics, cloud platforms or AI.

Desirable criteria

• Relevant professional certification (e.g. Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Snowflake, TOGAF, BCS, PRINCE2, Agile, ITIL or equivalent).

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential criteria

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to explain highly complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders across clinical, operational, technical and corporate services.
• Demonstrable ability to facilitate workshops, lead structured discovery sessions and build consensus across stakeholders.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Essential criteria

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex business problems and develop pragmatic solution options.
• Ability to balance innovation with governance, affordability, risk and organisational priorities when recommending solutions.
• Ability to assess emerging technologies and determine where they can deliver measurable organisational benefit.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously within a complex organisational environment.
• Experience of supporting strategic planning, prioritisation and investment decisions.

Leadership

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable strategic leadership within a complex healthcare or comparable organisation.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams through influence rather than direct line management.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of coaching, mentoring and developing technical and analytical capability.