Associate Director of Digital Services

Job summary

Digital and Data Services at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust are recruiting for an Associate Director of Digital Services. This is an exciting new role that will be a crucial part in helping develop modern, customer focussed digital services our staff and service users love. This role is part of the Digital and Data leadership team, will report directly to the executive CDIO and will lead our Digital Services pillar, incorporating infrastructure, cyber, systems, support services etc.

The role will work closely with the Associate Director for Data, the EPR Transformation Director, and the wider senior management team. Ideally, we would like someone with substantial IT service management (ITSM) experience and people management and leadership experience. You'll be joining a great team, and we need someone to lead with kindness, compassion and energy.

We are ambitious, the ideal candidate will share our ambition and our passion for digital enablement and transformation, converting the objectives set out in our Digital and Data strategy into real world service improvements, ultimately benefit ting our service users. We would welcome further discussions with those interested and look forward to hearing from you.

• Deputise for the Chief Digital Information Officer as required.
• Provide leadership, support and guidance to senior managers within the CTO and Systems teams.
• Build, shape and be accountable for a set of Digital Services that our users love.
• Drive innovation, modernisation and continuous improvement across digital services.
• Work in collaboration with Pennine Care Foundation Trust colleagues to align our standards, consolidating where sensible, and working together on infrastructure, cybersecurity, system reliability and operational support. (Both Trusts have a shared digital and data strategy)
• Act as a core part of the CDIO senior management team, representing the division at all levels across the Trust.

• Lead digital operations, systems and technology portfolios, ensuring alignment with the Digital and Data Strategy.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans across functions.
• Lead the annual digital business planning process, ensuring alignment with Trust, GMICS, and national digital priorities.
• Regularly prepare briefing papers and reports for the Digital and Data Oversight Group, Operational Oversight Group, Executive Management Team and Trust Board.

• Lead the delivery of key digital work programmes/work-streams, both within the Trust and Greater Manchester-wide (e.g. GM Care Record, Secure Data Environment etc.).

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Date posted: 24 February 2026

Pay scheme:
Agenda for change

Band: 8d

Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum pro rate (Subject to Job evaluation)

Contract:

Permanent

Working pattern:
Full-time

Reference number:

Job location:

Prestwich Hospital, Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 3BL

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years.
• Excellent pension.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Wellbeing programme.
• Blue Light Card.
• Discounts fuel Genie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles).

• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management.

• Significant senior leadership experience in digital/technology within healthcare or comparable complex organisations.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale digital operations teams to frameworks (ITIL, Dev Ops etc.).

• NHS governance structures and risk management processes.
• Cyber security standards and DSP Toolkit.
• Information Governance legislation (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act).

• Leadership and ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic planning and delivery of complex digital services.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Translating technical concepts for…