Director of Data

Job description

Job responsibilities

The organisation processes huge volumes of data through the services delivered on behalf of the DHSC. Through those data and services we aim to deliver insights to our users both internally and externally to support decision making in support of our vision to help people live healthier longer lives.

The role of Director of Data will be the driving force to achieving that vision ensuring that we identify and implement solutions which enable insights to improve services and health outcomes. To do this the postholder will be accountable for three core areas within their role: Data Strategy and Governance working both internally at an organisation level and externally with stakeholders in DHSC, NHS ALBs and Regional partners, you will collaborate to set and evolve the organisations strategy for data with a compelling vision which meets our stakeholders needs and our ambitions, you will ensure that we utilise data in a safe and ethical manner following strong and robust governance approaches.

Data Services and Products The NHSBSA delivers a number of data services and products to our stakeholders you will be accountable for the ongoing development and evolution of these, working with internal and external delivery partners and your teams you will evaluate the ongoing needs of our customers and evolve or implement solutions to meet those needs, this includes but is not limited to open data publication, data presentation services and insight publications.

Data Science, Advanced Analytics and Statistical Publications The NHSBSA publishes both official statistics and also insight reports and you will work to identify opportunities to deliver insights and publications to our stakeholders. This team will explore new and innovative ways to glean insight from our services supporting decision making on some of the biggest challenges in health and care.

Job summary:This role will provide strategic, technical and professional expertise to deliver a complex Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) agenda, maximising the use of resources within your remit, setting and achieving key performance indicators and break-even budgets, and maximising outcomes through productive sustainable delivery. You are responsible for corporate DDaT strategies and corresponding policies and procedures that drive value and efficiency through use of NHSBSAs supply chain and estate.

Alongside this you will identify and successfully implement significant efficiencies across the directorates remit, communicate and embed significant transformational policy and process changes and look to continuously improve service provision, performance and customer experience.

1. As a member of the NHSBSA DDaT Senior Management Team you will strive to maintain world class levels of staff engagement across the Directorate. Leading a large, diverse workforce, you will lead, inspire and develop colleagues across a range of disciplines in continuous improvement utilising user centric design methodologies, in addition to building and maintaining effective trusted relationships with external clients and key stakeholders.

2. As NHSBSAs Director responsible for its DDaT professions in Data, you will develop and maintain strategies and plans to drive professional excellence including compliance with government professional standards. In this role you will maintain effective relationships and influencing skills and will be responsible for leading and operationally managing the development, implementation, and improvement of your business area, including overall responsibility for service delivery, and relationship management of external partners specifically around complex and challenging contractual performance but also in working within the NHSBSA Partnership Key Principles relating to business, culture, and values.

Strategic Leadership Shared accountability for supporting the overall organisation to achieve its vision and contribute to the development of the organisations strategic and annual business plans, leading and driving operational performance improvement across NHSBSA Services to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services.

Providing strategic leadership to a department of DDaT Professionals who provide services in line with role accountabilities to enable the delivery of the NHSBSA strategy and business plan through development and implementation of Strategy and associated plans, whilst supporting the Chief Officer in the development of vision and strategic direction.

Digital Data and Technology Leadership

Define and lead the organisations data strategy, ensuring data is effectively governed, analysed, and utilised. As an organisation the NHSBSA collects a breadth of data across its services covering a variety of different uses, the postholder will be responsible for creating and implementing a strategy which ensures that the maximum value of that data us realised to support the strategy of helping people live heathy longer lives.

Oversee the development and delivery of data products that enable data-driven decision-making. The NHSBSA runs a number of data services and products which support the running of the Health and Care system for England, including but not limited to the publication of Official Statistics, the release of Insight dashboards and Reports to support decision making and the provision of data through the organisations Open Data Portal.

Establish and enforce data management frameworks and policies, ensuring compliance with NHS, UK Government, and industry regulations. The role will be responsible for ensuring that all data management frameworks and policies are in place and adhered to across the organisation, this includes areas outside of the hierarchical responsibilities of the post holder, through engagement and stakeholder management an enterprise approach to data governance will be taken and managed

Develop a data culture within the organisation, ensuring teams are equipped to use data effectively. The NHSBSA leverages data to make its decision and its ambition of being a Data Driven Organisation The postholder will work across the organisation to implement solutions which enable this ambition, putting insight into the hands of decision makers so that data is used in a safe and considered way.

Lead the adoption of emerging data technologies and approaches, including AI, ML, and advanced analytics. The role will take a continuous learning and inquisitive approach to the emergence of new technologies and capabilities in the field of Data, looking for opportunities through these developments for use and improvements within the organisation and across the services the NHSBSA deliver.

Ensure interoperability and integration of data and solutions across the organisation and externally. The organisation operates across a number of business streams and directorates our strategy with data is a mix between central enterprise data solutions and democratised solutions and services. The postholder will ensure that these work in harmony with clear boundaries which retain safe use of data aligned to clear data standards whilst enabling insights for decision making.

Decision-Making & Continuous Improvement

This role embeds data led thinking of all levels, ensuring evidence-based decision making to drive organisation success. Youll use analytics and storytelling to influence strategy, improve services and enhance customer outcomes.

Continuously develop and drive service insight and other complex data to evaluate current operating model to determine changes needed within the service area whilst inspiring horizon scan for future opportunities, threats and service improvements. Leading on major strategic projects, in conjunction with other Directors and Executive Leadership Team, acting as SRO for programmes and projects undertaken where appropriate.

Transformation, Innovation & Stakeholder Influence

Lead large scale change, and transformation with vision, adaptability and strategic foresight. You will foster a culture of curiosity, challenge and continuous improvement to drive sustainable innovation, building and leveraging influential relationships, managing complex stakeholder landscapes with political acumen. This role will align internal and external partners to advance NHSBSA mission, securing commitment to shared goals.

Leading highly complex change and transformation plans, in a changing NHS System, having the necessary skills to navigate sensitive environments.

Build and maintain appropriate professional relationships with key contacts within client and customer organisations; proactively communicating regularly with them to keep them engaged in operational and service delivery performance outcomes, managing the resolution of any issues or performance challenges that arise and managing their expectations regarding service delivery and the lead times to implement change, navigating a complex and changing strategic environment, political sensitivities or competing priorities.

Leadership level responsibilities and accountabilities:

Providing advice and preparing strategic reports and briefings for NHSBSA Directors and Leadership Team, DHSC , Arms Length Bodies to DHSC, Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and other key stakeholders, as required and analyse, interpret, and produce more in-depth reports on performance.

Drawing from experience, expertise and networks across industries, to ensure that the organisation benefits from relevant innovations, and remains future proof, and aligned to moving technology and best practice, and keep this at the forefront of all strategic plans.

Please refer to the attached job description for full responsibilities.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Leading similar functions across a Data team
• Managing a highly complex budget.

Desirable

• Previous experience working at similar level in a relevant role within Public Sector
• Policy development and implementation

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level in a relevant subject area (such as Computer Science, Leadership, Programme and Project Management) or equivalent experience, with an additional business qualification (e.g. MBA)

Desirable

• Programme and Project Management (such as Prince2, MSP, Agile, SAFE)
• Masters Degree in relevant subject area

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Uses enterprise-wide thinking to break down silos, fostering collaboration and accountability at all levels.
• Champions the strategic importance of people, talent management, development and wellbeing through setting and maintaining direction, clear requirements and performance standards, building a culture of diversity and inclusion and continuous learning and improvement
• Senior leadership of significant changes in the use and management of the workplace and relevant compliance
• Seeing the big picture to steer day-day delivery focusing on risk and optimising outcomes for organisation, customers and taxpayer.

Desirable

• Coaching and mentoring at leadership level

Experience

Essential

• Working in a matrix management environment for the delivery of services, bringing together teams of varying disciplines and from outside of own area of management to deliver
• Managing change and being a catalyst and leader in a changing environment, harnessing others to embrace transformation.
• Strategic leadership experience in Data, specifically Data Strategy and Governance, Data Services and Products, and Data Science, Advanced Analytics and Statistical Publications.
• Motivating, enabling and empowering teams to deliver

Qualifications

Essential

• Significant in-depth relevant senior leadership experience

Personal qualities, knowledge & skills

Essential

• An engaging leader who inspires through providing meaningful direction empowering their team to delivery focus on customer experience and service outcomes
• Effective relationships enabling collaborative delivery of shared accountabilities working with and through partners and peers
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, ability to articulate complex situations clearly in order to influence and inform decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting pressures and priorities ensuring continued focus on important longer term plans as well as delivering current and urgent business
• Project planning and management techniques/in depth knowledge and experience of managing projects

Desirable

• Political awareness and awareness of broader aspects which may impact on the area of expertise.
• Capable of and experience of working outside normal professional and own comfort boundaries

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Business Services Authority

Address

Stella House

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE15 8NY

Employer's website

https://careers.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)