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Health Innovation East

EASTERN ENGLAND SECURE DATA ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONAL LEAD

The closing date is 22 March 2026

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Job summary

The Eastern England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a regional NHS research data service enabling secure access to de-identified health data to support research, innovation, clinical trials and service improvement in line with national NHS England and Health Data Research Service (HDRS) priorities.

Following the merger of the East Midlands SDE into the East of England SDE, the Eastern England SDE now operates across an expanded regional footprint, working with NHS Trusts and partners across Eastern England to provide a scalable, federated research data infrastructure.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is the lead accountable organisation and Data Controller for the SDE. Health Innovation East works in close partnership with CUH to lead programme delivery, service operations, platform development and the SDE service desk, bringing together technical, operational, governance and engagement expertise.

The Eastern England SDE Operational Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for the operational ownership, performance, service maturity and growth of the Eastern England SDE as a live research service.

Strategic decision-making and formal governance remain with the Programme Director and established programme structures. This role holds delegated responsibility for operational leadership and service performance. The role also has both direct line management and matrix management responsibilities.

Main duties of the job

Please see job description or full list of key responsibilities

Senior accountability for performance of the live SDE service; ownership of workflows, turnaround times, quality standards, continuous improvement, demand/capacity metrics and transition to a sustainable BAU model. Ensure compliance with information governance, security and audit requirements (with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and implement the SDE commercial model.

Act as senior integrator across platform, programme, governance and engagement; coordinate with Platform and Programme Delivery Leads to embed new capabilities into BAU and resolve cross-functional issues.

Lead growth and adoption; line manage Growth & Engagement and Public Involvement leads; oversee onboarding of NHS data providers; build strategic partnerships; embed PPIE, transparency and trust.

Provide senior operational leadership; deputise for the Programme Director; contribute to governance, reporting and stakeholder forums. Maintain effective relationships across NHS partners, academia, industry and national stakeholders including NHS England and Health Data Research Service.

Fulfil corporate duties including risk management, data protection, equality, health and safety, collaboration and organisational values.

About us

At Health Innovation East we believe that great ideas only make a difference for our health when they are put into practice. Health Innovation East is the innovation arm of the NHS in the East of England, and we are one of 15 regional Health Innovation Networks that support the introduction of innovative technologies, devices and care pathways to transform health and care.

The post holder will be part of the Health Informatics team at Health Innovation East, which designs and delivers secure, impactful data solutions that help healthcare, research, and life sciences organisations unlock the full potential of health data for patient benefit. Our team solves complex data challenges while upholding the highest standards of security, ethics, and public confidence to enable data-driven research and improve patient outcomes.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with all team members expected to attend 23 in-office days per month. The postholder will also need to be flexible to travel across the East of England and East Midlands for in-person meetings, as well as occasional national travel for conferences and events, to build trusted relationships and support the growth of the SDE.

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£69,520 to £86,039 a year dependant on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

E0042-26-0001

Job locations

Unit C, Magog Court

Shelford Bottom

Cambridgeshire

CB22 3AD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Role purpose:

The Eastern England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a regional NHS research data service enabling secure access to de-identified health data to support research, innovation, clinical trials and service improvement in line with national NHS England and Health Data Research Service (HDRS) priorities.

Following the merger of the East Midlands SDE into the East of England SDE, the Eastern England SDE now operates across an expanded regional footprint, working with NHS Trusts and partners across Eastern England to provide a scalable, federated research data infrastructure.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is the lead accountable organisation and Data Controller for the SDE. Health Innovation East works in close partnership with CUH to lead programme delivery, service operations, platform development and the SDE service desk, bringing together technical, operational, governance and engagement expertise.

The Eastern England SDE Operational Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for the operational ownership, performance, service maturity and growth of the Eastern England SDE as a live research service.

As the SDE transitions from a programme-delivered initiative into a sustainable business-as-usual service model, this role provides single-point senior accountability for:

End-to-end SDE service performance, user experience and operational workflows across access, onboarding and governance coordination

SDE growth, engagement and adoption across researchers and data providers

Mobilisation of funded initiatives and new capabilities into sustainable BAU service delivery

Working in close partnership with the Director of Health Informatics & SDE Programme Director and alongside the Programme Delivery Lead and Platform Lead, the postholder will:

Deputise for the Programme Director on SDE operational matters as required

Own the live SDE service model and operational delivery

Lead SDE growth, engagement and service uptake

Ensure new capabilities are successfully transitioned into BAU

Strategic decision-making and formal governance remain with the Programme Director and established programme structures. This role holds delegated responsibility for operational leadership and service performance. The role also has both direct line management and matrix management responsibilities.

Key responsibilities:

SDE service ownership & performance

Hold senior accountability for the overall performance of the live SDE service

Own service workflows, turnaround times, quality standards and continuous improvement

Monitor service demand, capacity and performance metrics across operational functions

Drive service maturity from programme delivery into a sustainable BAU model

Ensure operational compliance with information governance, security standards and audit requirements in partnership with CUH

Own the operational implementation of the SDE commercial model, including researcher charging structures, service packages, and alignment with governance and service capacity

Operational coordination across functions

Act as the senior operational integrator across platform delivery, programme delivery, governance and engagement functions

Work closely with the Platform Lead on service performance, reliability and user experience

Coordinate with the Programme Delivery Lead to transition new capabilities into BAU

Ensure clear operational hand-offs between delivery, platform and service functions and resolve cross-functional issues impacting service performance

SDE growth, engagement & adoption

Lead the SDE growth and engagement function to expand service uptake and partnerships

Line manage the Senior Growth & Engagement Manager

Own onboarding of NHS data providers and build strategic relationships with researchers, NHS partners, academia and industry to drive service adoption

Shape and deliver SDE propositions for research, innovation and clinical trials

Ensure growth and engagement activity aligns with agreed commercial and sustainability models

Public involvement & trust

Line manage the Senior Public Involvement & Inclusion Manager

Ensure PPIE is embedded across SDE operations and service design

Maintain transparency, trust and ethical practice

Ensure public insight informs service development and communications

Mobilisation into business as usual (BAU)

Lead operational readiness for funded initiatives and new SDE capabilities

Embed sustainable operating processes, support models and performance management for all new services

Leadership & deputising

Provide senior operational leadership across SDE functions

Deputise for the SDE Programme Director on operational matters

Lead operational input into governance forums and funder reporting

Represent SDE operations at senior stakeholder meetings

Corporate duties:

Support the organisation in creating an environment that values risk management and promotes the highest standards of health and safety for Health Innovation Easts employees, supported by policies and procedures as appropriate

Comply with current data protection laws and company data protection policy and procedures

Support the organisation in developing a collaborative working environment and a culture of innovation and positive leadership, participating in the appraisal process, as required

Promote Equal Opportunities and affirm that staff, colleagues, patients and others who encounter Health Innovation East are afforded equality of treatment and opportunities

Observe Health Innovation Easts Equality and Diversity policy in every aspect of your work, avoiding any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients or clients on any grounds

Work with others appropriately to achieve organisational goals

Comply with the Health Innovation East values and behaviours

Personal development responsibilities

Understanding and awareness of own personal development needs

Maintenance of a compliant professional portfolio where required

Key relationships

Internal all Health Innovation East employees will be expected to form key relationships within the organisation relevant to the role.

External in addition, the successful appointee will need to develop and build relationships with external colleagues as relevant to the role. These may include, but are not limited to, relationships with colleagues within partner organisations such as:

Industry partners including SMEs and large corporates within the health arena

Academic partners in Higher Education Institutes and Tech Transfer Offices

Funding/investment organisations

Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England colleagues

NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts

Local Government

Integrated Care System and Integrated Care Boards

Third Sector Organisations

Patient Advisory Groups/Services

Health Innovation Easts employees are entitled to 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for less than whole time equivalent) and are offered a company pension (employer contribution up to 10% of annual salary), life insurance (on completion of a probationary period) as well as a cycle to work scheme. In addition, all employees have unlimited access to the companys well-being programme which is externally provided and fully confidential. Team members on secondment will remain on their employers terms and conditions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role purpose:

The Eastern England Secure Data Environment (SDE) is a regional NHS research data service enabling secure access to de-identified health data to support research, innovation, clinical trials and service improvement in line with national NHS England and Health Data Research Service (HDRS) priorities.

Following the merger of the East Midlands SDE into the East of England SDE, the Eastern England SDE now operates across an expanded regional footprint, working with NHS Trusts and partners across Eastern England to provide a scalable, federated research data infrastructure.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is the lead accountable organisation and Data Controller for the SDE. Health Innovation East works in close partnership with CUH to lead programme delivery, service operations, platform development and the SDE service desk, bringing together technical, operational, governance and engagement expertise.

The Eastern England SDE Operational Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for the operational ownership, performance, service maturity and growth of the Eastern England SDE as a live research service.

As the SDE transitions from a programme-delivered initiative into a sustainable business-as-usual service model, this role provides single-point senior accountability for:

End-to-end SDE service performance, user experience and operational workflows across access, onboarding and governance coordination

SDE growth, engagement and adoption across researchers and data providers

Mobilisation of funded initiatives and new capabilities into sustainable BAU service delivery

Working in close partnership with the Director of Health Informatics & SDE Programme Director and alongside the Programme Delivery Lead and Platform Lead, the postholder will:

Deputise for the Programme Director on SDE operational matters as required

Own the live SDE service model and operational delivery

Lead SDE growth, engagement and service uptake

Ensure new capabilities are successfully transitioned into BAU

Strategic decision-making and formal governance remain with the Programme Director and established programme structures. This role holds delegated responsibility for operational leadership and service performance. The role also has both direct line management and matrix management responsibilities.

Key responsibilities:

SDE service ownership & performance

Hold senior accountability for the overall performance of the live SDE service

Own service workflows, turnaround times, quality standards and continuous improvement

Monitor service demand, capacity and performance metrics across operational functions

Drive service maturity from programme delivery into a sustainable BAU model

Ensure operational compliance with information governance, security standards and audit requirements in partnership with CUH

Own the operational implementation of the SDE commercial model, including researcher charging structures, service packages, and alignment with governance and service capacity

Operational coordination across functions

Act as the senior operational integrator across platform delivery, programme delivery, governance and engagement functions

Work closely with the Platform Lead on service performance, reliability and user experience

Coordinate with the Programme Delivery Lead to transition new capabilities into BAU

Ensure clear operational hand-offs between delivery, platform and service functions and resolve cross-functional issues impacting service performance

SDE growth, engagement & adoption

Lead the SDE growth and engagement function to expand service uptake and partnerships

Line manage the Senior Growth & Engagement Manager

Own onboarding of NHS data providers and build strategic relationships with researchers, NHS partners, academia and industry to drive service adoption

Shape and deliver SDE propositions for research, innovation and clinical trials

Ensure growth and engagement activity aligns with agreed commercial and sustainability models

Public involvement & trust

Line manage the Senior Public Involvement & Inclusion Manager

Ensure PPIE is embedded across SDE operations and service design

Maintain transparency, trust and ethical practice

Ensure public insight informs service development and communications

Mobilisation into business as usual (BAU)

Lead operational readiness for funded initiatives and new SDE capabilities

Embed sustainable operating processes, support models and performance management for all new services

Leadership & deputising

Provide senior operational leadership across SDE functions

Deputise for the SDE Programme Director on operational matters

Lead operational input into governance forums and funder reporting

Represent SDE operations at senior stakeholder meetings

Corporate duties:

Support the organisation in creating an environment that values risk management and promotes the highest standards of health and safety for Health Innovation Easts employees, supported by policies and procedures as appropriate

Comply with current data protection laws and company data protection policy and procedures

Support the organisation in developing a collaborative working environment and a culture of innovation and positive leadership, participating in the appraisal process, as required

Promote Equal Opportunities and affirm that staff, colleagues, patients and others who encounter Health Innovation East are afforded equality of treatment and opportunities

Observe Health Innovation Easts Equality and Diversity policy in every aspect of your work, avoiding any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients or clients on any grounds

Work with others appropriately to achieve organisational goals

Comply with the Health Innovation East values and behaviours

Personal development responsibilities

Understanding and awareness of own personal development needs

Maintenance of a compliant professional portfolio where required

Key relationships

Internal all Health Innovation East employees will be expected to form key relationships within the organisation relevant to the role.

External in addition, the successful appointee will need to develop and build relationships with external colleagues as relevant to the role. These may include, but are not limited to, relationships with colleagues within partner organisations such as:

Industry partners including SMEs and large corporates within the health arena

Academic partners in Higher Education Institutes and Tech Transfer Offices

Funding/investment organisations

Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England colleagues

NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts

Local Government

Integrated Care System and Integrated Care Boards

Third Sector Organisations

Patient Advisory Groups/Services

Health Innovation Easts employees are entitled to 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for less than whole time equivalent) and are offered a company pension (employer contribution up to 10% of annual salary), life insurance (on completion of a probationary period) as well as a cycle to work scheme. In addition, all employees have unlimited access to the companys well-being programme which is externally provided and fully confidential. Team members on secondment will remain on their employers terms and conditions.

Person Specification

Disposition/Aptitude

Essential

  • High level of accountability and professionalism.
  • Comfortable operating in complex, regulated environments.
  • Proactive, resilient and solutions focused.
  • Strong collaborator and relationship builder.
  • Confident decision-maker within delegated authority.
  • Able to manage competing operational, governance and growth priorities

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent senior experience in health data, digital services, research infrastructure, governance, service delivery or related field
  • Evidence of continued professional development in data governance, digital services, research operations or leadership

Skills

Essential

  • Senior service ownership and operational leadership.
  • Strong governance coordination and risk management capability.
  • Service performance management and continuous improvement.
  • Stakeholder management at senior and system level.
  • Ability to balance governance rigour with service usability and pace.
  • Translating strategic objectives into effective operational delivery.
  • Commercial awareness and supplier relationship management.
  • Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience leading complex operational services in healthcare, research or regulated digital environments.
  • In-depth understanding of Secure Data Environments / Trusted Research Environments and recognised best practice including the Five Safes framework.
  • Strong working knowledge of information governance, data protection and confidentiality frameworks including UK GDPR, Data Protection Act, NHS IG standards and ethical research governance.
  • Experience operating services subject to external audit, assurance or accreditation (e.g. SATRE, ISO27001, DSPT or equivalent).
  • Experience coordinating multi-organisational governance processes including data access committees, ethics pathways and data controller relationships.
  • Proven experience transitioning programmes or digital services into sustainable business-as-usual operations.
  • Track record of building partnerships across NHS organisations, academia, industry and research communities.
  • Experience managing senior staff and multi-disciplinary teams, via direct and matrix management.

Desirable

  • Experience working within Secure Data Environments, Trusted Research Environments or national research infrastructure programmes.
  • Experience working with NHS research governance, REC/CAG processes or data controller environments.
  • Service or programme management qualifications (e.g. ITIL, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile delivery, Lean).
  • Experience supporting life sciences research or clinical trials data environments.
Person Specification

Disposition/Aptitude

Essential

  • High level of accountability and professionalism.
  • Comfortable operating in complex, regulated environments.
  • Proactive, resilient and solutions focused.
  • Strong collaborator and relationship builder.
  • Confident decision-maker within delegated authority.
  • Able to manage competing operational, governance and growth priorities

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent senior experience in health data, digital services, research infrastructure, governance, service delivery or related field
  • Evidence of continued professional development in data governance, digital services, research operations or leadership

Skills

Essential

  • Senior service ownership and operational leadership.
  • Strong governance coordination and risk management capability.
  • Service performance management and continuous improvement.
  • Stakeholder management at senior and system level.
  • Ability to balance governance rigour with service usability and pace.
  • Translating strategic objectives into effective operational delivery.
  • Commercial awareness and supplier relationship management.
  • Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience leading complex operational services in healthcare, research or regulated digital environments.
  • In-depth understanding of Secure Data Environments / Trusted Research Environments and recognised best practice including the Five Safes framework.
  • Strong working knowledge of information governance, data protection and confidentiality frameworks including UK GDPR, Data Protection Act, NHS IG standards and ethical research governance.
  • Experience operating services subject to external audit, assurance or accreditation (e.g. SATRE, ISO27001, DSPT or equivalent).
  • Experience coordinating multi-organisational governance processes including data access committees, ethics pathways and data controller relationships.
  • Proven experience transitioning programmes or digital services into sustainable business-as-usual operations.
  • Track record of building partnerships across NHS organisations, academia, industry and research communities.
  • Experience managing senior staff and multi-disciplinary teams, via direct and matrix management.

Desirable

  • Experience working within Secure Data Environments, Trusted Research Environments or national research infrastructure programmes.
  • Experience working with NHS research governance, REC/CAG processes or data controller environments.
  • Service or programme management qualifications (e.g. ITIL, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile delivery, Lean).
  • Experience supporting life sciences research or clinical trials data environments.

Employer details

Employer name

Health Innovation East

Address

Unit C, Magog Court

Shelford Bottom

Cambridgeshire

CB22 3AD


Employer's website

https://healthinnovationeast.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Health Innovation East

Address

Unit C, Magog Court

Shelford Bottom

Cambridgeshire

CB22 3AD


Employer's website

https://healthinnovationeast.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£69,520 to £86,039 a year dependant on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

E0042-26-0001

Job locations

Unit C, Magog Court

Shelford Bottom

Cambridgeshire

CB22 3AD


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