Head of Digital Strategy & Investment

About the role

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a senior digital leader to support large-scale transformation across Bristol NHS Group, which serves more than 1 million people and employs about 28,000 staff. The Digital Services function includes over 550 professionals working across programmes, technology, clinical systems, informatics, and data and analytics.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Digital Programmes and sits at the heart of a major portfolio of digital change. It brings together strategic planning, portfolio oversight, investment governance, and organisational leadership to make sure digital programmes are aligned with priorities and produce clear benefits.

As the organisation moves toward a single structure, digital transformation is central to improving patient care, staff experience, and efficiency. The post offers significant influence over transformation priorities, investment choices, and delivery of a multi-year digital strategy.

The Head of Digital Strategy & Investment will lead strategy development, prioritisation, and investment planning, with decisions supported by strong business cases, measurable benefits, and open governance. The role requires confident leadership across a wide range of stakeholders in a complex, fast-moving environment.

Key responsibilities

• Direct the preparation and assurance of digital business cases so they match strategic priorities and deliver value for money.
• Own the digital programme prioritisation process and ensure it is clear, consistent, and based on evidence.
• Manage and evolve the Digital Services Roadmap so it reflects organisational priorities, interdependencies, and available capacity.
• Create and oversee the Benefits Register, making sure benefits are defined, monitored, and achieved.
• Track progress on digital Cost Improvement Plans (CIPs) and ensure delivery is on course.
• Offer strategic guidance and assurance to senior leaders and governance bodies.
• Lead, support, and develop a high-performing Strategy & Investment team that helps deliver core services.
• Act for the Associate Director of Digital Programmes when needed.

The role is central to ensuring that digital initiatives are well-coordinated, properly prioritised, and able to deliver measurable outcomes that support the Group’s wider ambitions.

About the wider programme

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is bringing together North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust to strengthen collaboration and improve outcomes for patients across the region. Shared clinical and digital strategies are helping the organisation move toward more joined-up, efficient, and patient-focused services.

Digital change is a major enabler of this ambition, supporting large-scale service redesign, clinical pathway improvement, and better operational performance across the Group. The successful candidate will help shape strategic decisions and investment planning so that digital programmes deliver meaningful, measurable benefits for patients, staff, and the wider health system.

Contact for informal enquiries

Name: Laura Kingdon
Job title: Associate Director of Digital Programmes
Email: laura.kingdon@uhbw.nhs.uk