Chief Technical Architect

About the role

NHS Digital operates some of the largest and most exciting digital systems in the country today. Its applications underpin critical healthcare programmes including COVID-19 vaccinations, the NHS Shielded Patient List and COVID status certification.

First and foremost, you will be a leader in NHS Digital. You will be an active member of the senior leadership community and contribute to the success of the organisation. 

As one of two Chief Technical Architects, you will be responsible for the NHS Digital architecture, working to ensure coherence across all these systems. You will do this through having strong communication and influencing skills, being able to advocate for architecture good practice whilst having empathy with delivery, finance and resourcing needs.

As an expert in the field, you will develop and mentor staff in your team and more widely. A decent proportion of your time will be spent on leading the development of a learning culture, especially when it comes to the specialist content about digital health and the systems NHS Digital operates.

You will work with colleagues across other health and care organisations including NHS England & Improvement, NHS-X and DHSC. This will be as one team where logos are left at the door. You will have a close relationship with the other Chief Technical Architect and Principal Enterprise Architect.

You will have responsibility for ~ 30 staff, made up of permanent, interim and suppliers. You will co-ordinate across two directorates and tens of programmes. The role does not have significant direct financial responsibility but will have influence over multi-million-pound spending decisions.

As a Chief Technical Architect you will be responsible for: 

• Participating in organisational leadership including annual planning.
• Leading the development of the architecture practice, for example developing a learning catalogue.
• Supporting your architecture team in their decision making, undertaking architecture reviews etc.
• Participating in architecture governance, including attendance at Architecture Board.
• Interacting with colleagues from across the healthcare system on high profile or high-risk programmes, contributing to the digitisation of health and care.
• Leading the development of a learning culture, mentoring colleagues in your team.
• Working with colleagues across health and care organisations including NHS England & Improvement, NHS-X and DHSC.

First and foremost, you will be a leader in NHS Digital. You will be an active member of the senior leadership community and contribute to the success of the organisation. 

About you

Some of the skills and experience you’ll bring to the role: 

• Substantial industry experience within an Information Technology domain maintaining in-depth knowledge of specific technical specialisms’, provides expert advice regarding their application.
• Demonstrable evidence of taking a technical leadership role across large complex programmes.
• Sound experience of architecture frameworks, methodologies and application of appropriate architecture methods.
• Proven track record in a senior leadership/management role
• Development and management of technical governance processes relevant to the entire organisation.
• Proven strong communication skills, in particular skilled at building and managing relationships, and proactively engaging with and leading internal and external stakeholders

About us

NHS Digital is a great place to work. What we do matters. Our outstanding teams are passionate about technology and public service, making use of everyone’s skills to improve people’s lives. We collaborate to deliver world class tech and intelligence, come and join us. We are committed to sustainability, diversity and inclusion; our people are at the heart of what we do. Find out about the amazing work we do by visiting our website: https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/our-work Find further information on the current work we are undertaking meeting the challenges of the pandemic here: https://digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus What we offer In addition to a competitive salary with planned, transparent progression you can look forward to the following benefits: 

• 27 days annual leave entitlement increasing with service
• Buy and sell annual leave scheme
• Contributory Pension (with a 20.6% contribution from us toward the cost of your pension)
• Flexible working opportunities - we value and respect the diversity of our employees, and applications from prospective candidates who require flexible working arrangements are welcomed
• A range of NHS Discounts covering, for example, shops, restaurants, gym, mobile phones and insurance
• Employee benefit schemes which include Season Ticket Loan and Car Lease

For more information visit our Working at NHS Digital page.