Digital Health and Care Wales

Associate Director of Data Architecture and Standards

The closing date is 25 September 2025

Job summary

Are you ready to shape the future of digital healthcare in Wales? We're seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Associate Director of Data Architecture & Standards. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to drive strategic data initiatives across the health and care system, ensuring alignment with national digital priorities and clinical transformation. You'll lead the development of enterprise-wide data architecture, champion data standards, and influence senior stakeholders to embed data-driven decision-making at every level. If you're passionate about innovation, governance, and making a real impact through data, we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As Associate Director, you'll lead the strategic design and implementation of data architecture across NHS Wales. You'll oversee the development of scalable, interoperable data models and frameworks that support digital transformation and improve service delivery. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll ensure data systems are robust, user-centred, and aligned with evolving organisational needs. You'll also guide teams through change, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and represent the organisation in high-level discussions across government and industry.

About us

Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is an expert national body and part of NHS Wales. We work in partnership with NHS Wales colleagues and other key stakeholders to provide national digital and data services which support the delivery of health and social care in Wales. Modern health and care services depend on good digital tools, data and information. DHCW runs or works with more than 100 services and delivers major national digital transformation programmes to support this. In addition, DHCW provides expert advice in relation to cyber security and information governance. We give frontline staff the digital tools which help them provide safer and more efficient care. We are also giving patients and the public digital tools to better manage their own health and wellbeing, empowering people to live healthier lives. We put people at the heart of what we do, working to the highest standards to deliver quality and make digital a force for good in health and care.

Working for DHCW offers lots of employee benefits, including flexible working, a competitive salary, 28 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays and opportunities for career development. We are committed to recognising and celebrating our staff as the most valuable part of our organisation.

Details

Date posted

11 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£92,713 to £106,919 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

025-AC206-0925

Job locations

Hybrid working

Location to be confirmed at interview

CF11 9AD


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

  • Lead enterprise data architecture strategy and governance.

  • Develop and embed data standards and modelling principles.

  • Oversee complex data integration and system design.

  • Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders and teams.

  • Champion data-driven transformation and Agile practices.

  • Manage budgets, procurement, and supplier relationships.

  • Promote inclusive leadership and professional development.

  • Represent the organisation in national forums and cross-sector collaborations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

  • Lead enterprise data architecture strategy and governance.

  • Develop and embed data standards and modelling principles.

  • Oversee complex data integration and system design.

  • Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders and teams.

  • Champion data-driven transformation and Agile practices.

  • Manage budgets, procurement, and supplier relationships.

  • Promote inclusive leadership and professional development.

  • Represent the organisation in national forums and cross-sector collaborations.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Master's degree in an associated professional field (or equivalent qualification / experience).

Experience

Essential

  • Proven leadership in enterprise data architecture, with accountability for setting data strategy, standards, and governance across large, complex organisations.
  • Experience advising executive teams, contributing to corporate strategy, and representing data architecture interests at Board or national programme level.
  • In-depth knowledge of corporate, legal, and industry data standards, with a strong track record of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Expert knowledge of enterprise information systems and data architecture, encompassing data modelling, integration, and driving organisation-wide data-informed decisions.

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Leadership to support and guide others with clear direction and to encourage an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Master's degree in an associated professional field (or equivalent qualification / experience).

Experience

Essential

  • Proven leadership in enterprise data architecture, with accountability for setting data strategy, standards, and governance across large, complex organisations.
  • Experience advising executive teams, contributing to corporate strategy, and representing data architecture interests at Board or national programme level.
  • In-depth knowledge of corporate, legal, and industry data standards, with a strong track record of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Expert knowledge of enterprise information systems and data architecture, encompassing data modelling, integration, and driving organisation-wide data-informed decisions.

Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Leadership to support and guide others with clear direction and to encourage an inclusive, high-performing team culture.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Digital Health and Care Wales

Address

Hybrid working

Location to be confirmed at interview

CF11 9AD


Employer's website

https://nwis.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Digital Health and Care Wales

Address

Hybrid working

Location to be confirmed at interview

CF11 9AD


Employer's website

https://nwis.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Data Officer

Rebecca Cook

rebecca.cook2@wales.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

11 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£92,713 to £106,919 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

025-AC206-0925

Job locations

Hybrid working

Location to be confirmed at interview

CF11 9AD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Digital Health and Care Wales's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)