Job summary
Joining the Digital Service places you at the heart of the Trust's digital journey. The Hive Electronic Patient Record (EPR), powered by Epic, launched in September 2022 -- the largest UK deployment at the time -- marked a major milestone in MFT's vision of becoming a Digital First organisation.
Hive has greatly enhanced the Trust's ability to harness data by capturing high-quality, high-volume clinical and non-clinical information across acute services. This enables data-driven insights to accelerate digital transformation and deliver safer, more efficient, and more personalised patient care.
We have an ambitious digital strategic roadmap, with Hive as the engine for transformation across MFT. Our aim is to deliver scalable, robust, and reliable digital infrastructure, applications, and services that underpin major programmes and strategic priorities.
This includes contributing to national initiatives such as the New Hospitals Programme, supporting North Manchester General Hospital's redevelopment, which is shaping the digital blueprint for future hospitals. We are also evolving our digital governance framework to ensure safe, effective, and innovative use of emerging technologies -- including AI, Machine Learning, and Robotic Process Automation -- across all areas of our services.
Interviews provisionally scheduled for w/c 19th January 2026.
Main duties of the job
The Digital Team plays a pivotal role in supporting Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) to deliver clinically led, operationally driven, and digitally enabled services. Colleagues work across strategy, governance and assurance, portfolio management, information and patient services, as well as teams dedicated to our Hive Electronic Patient Record (EPR), associated applications, wider digital systems, technology architecture, infrastructure, and operational services.
We are supported by a diverse and highly skilled Clinical Informatics Team, ensuring all digital solutions are safe, effective, and patient-focused. This team includes consultants from across the organisation, alongside our Digital Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health Professional Team, working closely with the Chief Medical Informatics Officers to ensure clinical excellence.
The Head of Hive EPR & Digital Applications is a key leadership role within the Digital Services Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The post holder will deputise for the Director of Hive EPR & Digital Applications as required, while driving MFT's digital strategic roadmap and leading a portfolio of critical programmes and initiatives.
As part of our Digital Team, you will help enhance clinical quality, patient and staff experience, operational effectiveness, and research excellence. We are proud of the impact our work has on patients and colleagues -- and we're excited to offer you the chance to be part of that journey.
About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester.As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development.Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education to a minimum of master's degree level or equivalent post graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience within Digital
- Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner
Desirable
- Degree level or equivalent qualification specifically in IT / Digita
- Postgraduate or equivalent diploma
- Commercial and/ or Financial Management
- Management of Risk (MoR)
- Management of Value (MoV)
Training
Essential
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development, including specialist training in areas such as: - Business Case development and appraisal - Risk Management - Programme and Project Delivery methodologies (including MSP and Prince) - MS Project Planning - Change Management and Controls
Desirable
- Commercial and/ or Financial Managemen
Experience
Essential
- Significant large scale and complex implementation experience of programme and project management methodologies that support significant organisational change
- Significant experience of operating in a matrix management structure or working in a consultancy-like arrangement.
- Highly developed, specialist knowledge and experience of managing a range of complex project and programme activities to formulate plans and strategies that have effect across multiple organisations.
- Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations
- Significant experience in the development of large and complex business cases
Desirable
- Experience in leading large scale and complex change projects and programmes in health and/or social care environments
- Senior management experience
- Significant experience of managing a range of complex project and programme activities to formulate plans and strategies that have effect across multiple organisations and health economies
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Education to a minimum of master's degree level or equivalent post graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience within Digital
- Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner
Desirable
- Degree level or equivalent qualification specifically in IT / Digita
- Postgraduate or equivalent diploma
- Commercial and/ or Financial Management
- Management of Risk (MoR)
- Management of Value (MoV)
Training
Essential
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development, including specialist training in areas such as: - Business Case development and appraisal - Risk Management - Programme and Project Delivery methodologies (including MSP and Prince) - MS Project Planning - Change Management and Controls
Desirable
- Commercial and/ or Financial Managemen
Experience
Essential
- Significant large scale and complex implementation experience of programme and project management methodologies that support significant organisational change
- Significant experience of operating in a matrix management structure or working in a consultancy-like arrangement.
- Highly developed, specialist knowledge and experience of managing a range of complex project and programme activities to formulate plans and strategies that have effect across multiple organisations.
- Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations
- Significant experience in the development of large and complex business cases
Desirable
- Experience in leading large scale and complex change projects and programmes in health and/or social care environments
- Senior management experience
- Significant experience of managing a range of complex project and programme activities to formulate plans and strategies that have effect across multiple organisations and health economies
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
