Chief Digital Information Officer, Defence Medical Services

Overview

The Defence Medical Services (DMS), located at HQ Defence Medical Services in Lichfield, is undergoing a comprehensive transformation aimed at becoming a digitally enabled, patient-centred, and data-driven occupational healthcare provider for the Defence sector. The Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) is pivotal in steering this transformation by advancing digital capabilities, clinical informatics, business intelligence, and information management to support clinical excellence, operational readiness, and improved patient outcomes.

Role Summary

The CDIO will serve as a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing digital and data strategies aligned with DMS objectives. This role demands leading digital innovation, ensuring interoperability and technical standards compliance, and preventing data silos across all healthcare digital systems. The CDIO holds a key executive position within the DMS governance structure, reporting to the Director of Medical People & Capability and exerting functional authority over digital initiatives across various DMS projects and programs.

Key Duties

• Lead strategic and operational management of digital, data, and information systems within the Defence Medical ecosystem.
• Develop and implement the DMS Digital Operating Model and comprehensive digital strategy in line with Ministry of Defence (MOD) priorities and transformation efforts.
• Provide expert guidance on digital healthcare, informatics, data governance, cyber security, and clinical safety to DMS leadership boards.
• Build digital workforce capacity including training and establishing military digital clinical career pathways.
• Support risk management by advising the Senior Information Risk Owner on specialist digital risks.
• Ensure effective delivery of digital services supporting healthcare operations, including deployment in overseas operational environments.
• Oversee data governance and exploitation to ensure data quality, insightful analytics, and trusted decision-making capabilities.
• Lead compliance with information governance standards, GDPR, clinical safety, and cyber assurance alongside relevant stakeholders.
• Align digital strategies with Defence, NHS, and NATO frameworks to maintain interoperability and compliance.
• Develop and oversee implementation of a DMS Artificial Intelligence strategy to augment operational capabilities and patient care innovation.
• Advise and assure cyber security risk and controls for DMS-owned systems.
• Manage the corporate digital budget and resource allocation in collaboration with finance leadership.
• Formulate policies, standards, and procedures specific to HQ Defence Medical Services digital operations.
• Participate actively in multiple governance committees including DMS Board, Executive Committee, Quality Assurance, and Defence Digital & Technology groups.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated success in delivering digital solutions within complex, change-intensive environments.
• Experience in leading digital health strategies incorporating medical information systems, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to enable transformative healthcare models.
• Executive leadership experience in large-scale healthcare digital transformations.
• Capability to translate digital innovations into clinical improvements through strong clinical transformation and change management skills.
• Senior accountability for Information Governance, Clinical Safety, Data Quality, and Cyber Security management.
• Proven ability to communicate complex digital issues effectively at the board level and engage with diverse stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Experience managing sizeable, complex programs with a track record of delivering on time and budget while effectively controlling risks and leading cross-disciplinary teams.

Additional Information

This role offers an annual salary of 115,000, alongside a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme contribution of 33,315 from the employer, reflecting a 28.97% employer contribution rate. Benefits include personalised learning and development, flexible working arrangements, and an inclusive organizational culture.

A minimum assignment duration of three years is expected to foster deep expertise and delivery continuity, although this is not contractually binding. External hires will undergo a six-month probation period. Candidates must meet security clearance requirements prior to appointment.

An online question-and-answer session about the role is offered but is not part of the formal selection process.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit a CV (maximum two pages) detailing their career history with achievements and a personal statement (maximum two pages) providing explicit examples demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria for this position. AI tools may be used for assistance but all content must be original and factually accurate from the candidate's own experience. Failures on this front may lead to withdrawal or disciplinary procedures.