Director General for Technology, Digital and Data - Department of Health and Social Care - SCS3

Location

National

These roles will require regular attendance at both DHSC and NHS England current headquarters in Leeds and London with travel to other locations as necessary. You can be based at any of the current regional sites, with the expectation of regular time in London each week.

About the job

Job summary

We are seeking a purpose-driven leader who is deeply mission-aligned and passionate about improving health and care services in the UK through technology and data innovation. This individual will bring resilience and pragmatism, adopting a hands-on approach to delivering complex programs and achieving tangible outcomes. They will demonstrate exceptional strategic communication and influence, translating business needs into actionable technical roadmaps while galvanising diverse stakeholders and teams around a shared vision. Analytical and decisive, they will navigate ambiguity with confidence, making sound judgments under pressure.

Above all, they will possess a forward-looking vision for technological advancement, combining strategic thinking with a genuine enthusiasm for data and innovation to shape impactful solutions for the future.

Job description

As the Director General (DG) for Technology, Digital and Data, you will define and deliver the strategic vision and technology roadmap to enable  this digital transformation. You will lead the integration of digital and data solutions into patient services, drive efficiency and innovation, and oversee the transition to a new operating model aligned with ministerial priorities and the 10-Year Plan to increase productivity and provide a superior experience for citizens and staff alike. You will initially be a member of the Joint Executive Committee that oversees the work of teams in both NHSE and DHSC, and following the abolition of NHSE, play a central role in the leadership of the new DHSC. You will manage a sizeable budget, shape organisational design, and build a high-performing, collaborative team to enable a modern, data-driven health and care system.

You will lead digital transformation across health and care, driving large-scale technology and data initiatives to modernise and standardise services to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

You will ensure secure, scalable, and resilient technology infrastructure, while shaping organisational design, and operating models aligned with ministerial priorities. The role demands a well governed function, delivering operational excellence, setting high performance standards, and fostering collaboration across complex government structures. You will champion innovation, manage significant budgets, and build high-performing, cross-functional teams to deliver technology-driven solutions that advance health and care services and create measurable impact for UK citizens.

You will continue the capitalisation and capability build of the NHS App for higher adoption through improved citizen experience. Lastly, you will instil best practice management of a cohesive, well governed and rationalised sourcing map and vendor ecosystem for DHSC.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Digital Transformation Leadership: Track record developing and executing a technology vision aligned to organisational strategy; with proven ability to transform digital, technology and data access inc. platform modernisation in large-scale, matrixed organisations, with responsibility for multi-million-pound budgets.

Technology Infrastructure & Resilience: Expertise in building secure, scalable, and future-proof digital systems and embedding digital/data solutions into frontline service delivery.

Program & Resource Management: Skilled in executing multi-faceted technology initiatives within scope, budget, and timelines; strong financial stewardship and governance of large-scale budgets and resource allocation ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment against strategic priorities.

Organisational Design & Strategic Planning: Ability to drive operating model transformation, optimise resource allocation, and co-create future-state structures with senior stakeholders.

Vendor Management: Track record managing third party and outsourced arrangements to optimise cost effectiveness and efficiency.

Industry Experience: Healthcare Services/OR experience in regulated, mission critical environments (Banking, Telco, Utilities, Transport).

Experience working at Board and Executive Leadership levels.