Job summary Associate Director of Common Technology Platforms, Somerset ICS This is a critical role to support the delivery of the ICSs ambitious DDaT Strategy. Our collective vision is as follows: We will use technology and data to re-imagine how we will achieve better outcomes for the people of Somerset. Organisational boundaries will not stop us from creating holistic digital services to improve outcomes for our communities. We will focus on breaking down the technological and cultural barriers that silo us into our respective organisations. We will become a team of teams, building a single view of an individual through a digital lens. We will build common data platforms to enable data to flow safely and ethically across the ICS partners. We will place the people at the heart of the digital service development process, ensuring that the final product is tailored to meet their needs and preferences. We will offer an accessible, trusted set of digital services that help individuals find the right care and support for them. Please be aware that the role is currently subject to review following recent announcements made by the government last week. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of any updates as soon as we have more clarity on the matter.. Main duties of the job The Associate Director for Common Technology Platforms is responsible for driving the creation of and managing a suite of common technology platforms for the ICS. In the first instance this includes the Shared Care Record for Somerset, the Population Health data platform and the emergent platform for common digital tools. They will advocate on a daily basis for the partner-wide adoption of the ICSs Platform Architectural Principles, leading by example through the delivery of these common platforms for the ICS. We would like to speak to candidates who have the following skills and expertise. You will be responsible for co-creating and assuring delivery of the strategies for each of the common platforms listed above. You are an accomplished technical strategist and can be seen as a thought leader in the industry, not just Somerset ICS, maintaining close links with external organisations and industry leaders. You will lead on the technical strategy and target architecture for each of the common platforms. To be successful in this role you must be an advocate of modern cloud technologies and understand how to assess the capabilities of different provider solutions to achieve the best and most secure and efficient outcomes. We are a cloud agnostic, so will be looking for the individual to have experience in using and building value in AWS, Azure and GCP. About us NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for implementing a health and care strategy developed by the Integrated Care Partnership. It consists of approximately 350 staff across 8 directorates, each with multiple teams. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups, and are committed to equality of opportunity. We believe diverse organisations best reflect the communities they serve. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received before the advertised closing date. Visa sponsorship is not offered. Flexible working is available from day one, including an agile home/office-based approach. However, you will be required to work from our HQ in Yeovil for 2/3 days a week and traveling to other Somerset locations for meetings may be necessary. Please consider this before applying. Note for existing NHS Employees applying for Fixed Term vacancies at NHS Somerset If you are an existing NHS Employee and are applying for a Fixed Term role with NHS Somerset, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. You should gain agreement from your current employer before applying to allow you to be released on secondment. Please ensure the reference section confirms your current HR Department details. Thank you for your interest Date posted 17 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £74,290 to £85,601 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number D9462-SOMICB020-25 Job locations NHS Somerset ICB Wynford House, Lufton Way Yeovil Somerset BA22 8HR Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The Associate Director for Common Technology Platforms is responsible for driving the creation of and managing a suite of common technology platforms for the ICS. In the first instance this includes the Shared Care Record for Somerset, the Population Health data platform and the emergent platform for common digital tools. They will advocate on a daily basis for the partner-wide adoption of the ICSs Platform Architectural Principles, leading by example through the delivery of these common platforms for the ICS. KEY RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE ROLE: The Associate Director is accountable for: Strategy Co-creating and assuring delivery of the strategies for each of the common platforms listed above. Promoting a culture of openness and collaboration driving a continuous Improvement mindset. Carrying out research on new platform technologies to further the usefulness of each common platform offering into partner organisations. Supporting the standardisation of systems integrations and IT procurement processes across the ICS so that we can work towards adherence to the ICSs common technical standards framework. Technical Assurance Co Designing with other ICS DDaT Leaders a set of common technical standards that will be adopted across the partnership. Providing strong technical expertise and direction using a collaborative approach for each of the common platforms. Ensuring the scalability, reliability, and security of each of the technology platforms, mitigating tech debt. Setting and enforcing code quality, best practice and quality assurance. Delivery Assurance Managing the effectiveness and efficiency of product, technology and engineering processes including adoption of new systems or practices across the ICS Common Platforms team. Identifying and implementing opportunities to optimise team effectiveness and performance. Ensuring all Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and Disaster Recovery (DR) plans are implemented for the common platforms. Fostering a culture of servant leadership, empowering teams and championing continuous improvement. Stakeholder Management Forging positive working relationships with technical and communications teams across the ICS, in order to support an effective matrix approach to achieve each of the Platform Strategy objectives. Working across the wider ICS to agree prioritisation of common blocks of work and related resource allocation to ensure high priority work/dependencies are completed in a timely manner. Work in a matrix management style and to foster close working relations with other managers in the ICS DDaT team. Information Governance Ensuring all future procured components implemented as part of the platform architecture are Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) certified, and engage with relevant parties from Procurement, Digital, Clinical teams to complete DTAC assessments Working with the Cyber and Compliance team on all Information Governance (IG) related matters, and keep an active log about the following key areas: Confidentiality and Data Protection Information systems security Records management Risk stratification Fair processing Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) Information Risk & Asset Management Due diligence assessments and Data Privacy Impact Assessments Incident management and Cyber Security Leadership / Management Proven leadership responsibilities including leading blended staff, contractor and vendor teams. Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and drive organisational change. Leadership experience within a federated partnership preferred. Internal and external stakeholder management skills Strong vendor management and partner relation skills to identify and leverage resources internal and external to the overall goals of the Working Together programme. Capable of leading highly complex political meetings. Is respected as a key contributor, both within and outside the team, acting as a trusted independent thinker, leading to collaborative acceptance of the way forward. Finance / Budgets Act as an authorising signatory for capital and revenue budgets in line with the agreed Common Technology Platforms and within limits agreed with the Chief Data Officer and the cross ICS Programme Board. Ensure that all staff comply with the ICSs Financial Approval Process. Budgetary responsibility for the programme team, ensuring good budgetary control and governance is maintained. Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency seeking innovative ways to improved care delivery in a clinically and financially sustainable model. Support the Chief Data Officer in reporting on budget positions across the service to support the Chief Data Officer to discharge his or her accountability for ensuring internal and external financial targets are achieved. Manage resource utilisation and expenditure against control totals. Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The Associate Director for Common Technology Platforms is responsible for driving the creation of and managing a suite of common technology platforms for the ICS. In the first instance this includes the Shared Care Record for Somerset, the Population Health data platform and the emergent platform for common digital tools. They will advocate on a daily basis for the partner-wide adoption of the ICSs Platform Architectural Principles, leading by example through the delivery of these common platforms for the ICS. KEY RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE ROLE: The Associate Director is accountable for: Strategy Co-creating and assuring delivery of the strategies for each of the common platforms listed above. Promoting a culture of openness and collaboration driving a continuous Improvement mindset. Carrying out research on new platform technologies to further the usefulness of each common platform offering into partner organisations. Supporting the standardisation of systems integrations and IT procurement processes across the ICS so that we can work towards adherence to the ICSs common technical standards framework. Technical Assurance Co Designing with other ICS DDaT Leaders a set of common technical standards that will be adopted across the partnership. Providing strong technical expertise and direction using a collaborative approach for each of the common platforms. Ensuring the scalability, reliability, and security of each of the technology platforms, mitigating tech debt. Setting and enforcing code quality, best practice and quality assurance. Delivery Assurance Managing the effectiveness and efficiency of product, technology and engineering processes including adoption of new systems or practices across the ICS Common Platforms team. Identifying and implementing opportunities to optimise team effectiveness and performance. Ensuring all Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and Disaster Recovery (DR) plans are implemented for the common platforms. Fostering a culture of servant leadership, empowering teams and championing continuous improvement. Stakeholder Management Forging positive working relationships with technical and communications teams across the ICS, in order to support an effective matrix approach to achieve each of the Platform Strategy objectives. Working across the wider ICS to agree prioritisation of common blocks of work and related resource allocation to ensure high priority work/dependencies are completed in a timely manner. Work in a matrix management style and to foster close working relations with other managers in the ICS DDaT team. Information Governance Ensuring all future procured components implemented as part of the platform architecture are Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) certified, and engage with relevant parties from Procurement, Digital, Clinical teams to complete DTAC assessments Working with the Cyber and Compliance team on all Information Governance (IG) related matters, and keep an active log about the following key areas: Confidentiality and Data Protection Information systems security Records management Risk stratification Fair processing Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) Information Risk & Asset Management Due diligence assessments and Data Privacy Impact Assessments Incident management and Cyber Security Leadership / Management Proven leadership responsibilities including leading blended staff, contractor and vendor teams. Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and drive organisational change. Leadership experience within a federated partnership preferred. Internal and external stakeholder management skills Strong vendor management and partner relation skills to identify and leverage resources internal and external to the overall goals of the Working Together programme. Capable of leading highly complex political meetings. Is respected as a key contributor, both within and outside the team, acting as a trusted independent thinker, leading to collaborative acceptance of the way forward. Finance / Budgets Act as an authorising signatory for capital and revenue budgets in line with the agreed Common Technology Platforms and within limits agreed with the Chief Data Officer and the cross ICS Programme Board. Ensure that all staff comply with the ICSs Financial Approval Process. Budgetary responsibility for the programme team, ensuring good budgetary control and governance is maintained. Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency seeking innovative ways to improved care delivery in a clinically and financially sustainable model. Support the Chief Data Officer in reporting on budget positions across the service to support the Chief Data Officer to discharge his or her accountability for ensuring internal and external financial targets are achieved. Manage resource utilisation and expenditure against control totals. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) Desirable A masters degree in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar, in a specialist area. Personal Statement / Motivation for Applying Essential Please use this section to explain how you meet the additional criteria in the Personal Specification including your reasons and motivation for applying. Communication Essential You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain deeply technical concepts and technologies to business leaders, and business concepts to the tech workforce in simple and effective way. You can communicate highly complex information both positive and negative information to stakeholders You have strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority, authority to successfully foster and manage inter-relationships between own departments and other Directorates. Capable of leading highly political meetings. Is respected as a key contributor, both within and outside the team, acting as a trusted independent thinker, leading to collaborative acceptance of the way forward. Experience Essential You have extensive experience in technical leadership and strategy development in a complex operational environment. You can demonstrable knowledge and experience leading the development of major cloud-based platforms, legacy systems, agile implementation, microservices approach and CI / CD practices. You have a comprehensive knowledge of hardware, software, application, infrastructure, and systems engineering You have proven leadership skills including leading blended staff, contractor and vendor teams. You can demonstrate experience in building and scaling consumer-facing digital platforms You are a very strong problem solver, with an innate desire to support our Somerset communities to live well. You are experienced in providing thought leadership and influencing stakeholders on how best to achieve their own goals and strategy You can develop business and technical strategies, and develop and deliver technical solutions You are technically curious, with extensive experience of delivering bespoke technical capability, solutions and services, in a consulting, engineering or products/services business You have a strong track record in understanding and applying best practice engineering methods, especially in software, and applying them to deliver effective and efficient technical product delivery You have extensive experience of agile project management methodologies. You can write strategy and discussion documents for pan-organisational issues You have the ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options You can prove demonstrable success in delivering change and performance with and through management teams, by engaging them in strategic direction and delivery plans. Establishing clear work priorities, delegating effectively, giving feedback and monitoring performance. Desirable Knowledge of data science and Machine Learning. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) Desirable A masters degree in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar, in a specialist area. Personal Statement / Motivation for Applying Essential Please use this section to explain how you meet the additional criteria in the Personal Specification including your reasons and motivation for applying. Communication Essential You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain deeply technical concepts and technologies to business leaders, and business concepts to the tech workforce in simple and effective way. You can communicate highly complex information both positive and negative information to stakeholders You have strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority, authority to successfully foster and manage inter-relationships between own departments and other Directorates. Capable of leading highly political meetings. Is respected as a key contributor, both within and outside the team, acting as a trusted independent thinker, leading to collaborative acceptance of the way forward. Experience Essential You have extensive experience in technical leadership and strategy development in a complex operational environment. You can demonstrable knowledge and experience leading the development of major cloud-based platforms, legacy systems, agile implementation, microservices approach and CI / CD practices. You have a comprehensive knowledge of hardware, software, application, infrastructure, and systems engineering You have proven leadership skills including leading blended staff, contractor and vendor teams. You can demonstrate experience in building and scaling consumer-facing digital platforms You are a very strong problem solver, with an innate desire to support our Somerset communities to live well. You are experienced in providing thought leadership and influencing stakeholders on how best to achieve their own goals and strategy You can develop business and technical strategies, and develop and deliver technical solutions You are technically curious, with extensive experience of delivering bespoke technical capability, solutions and services, in a consulting, engineering or products/services business You have a strong track record in understanding and applying best practice engineering methods, especially in software, and applying them to deliver effective and efficient technical product delivery You have extensive experience of agile project management methodologies. You can write strategy and discussion documents for pan-organisational issues You have the ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options You can prove demonstrable success in delivering change and performance with and through management teams, by engaging them in strategic direction and delivery plans. Establishing clear work priorities, delegating effectively, giving feedback and monitoring performance. Desirable Knowledge of data science and Machine Learning. Employer details Employer name NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board Address NHS Somerset ICB Wynford House, Lufton Way Yeovil Somerset BA22 8HR Employer's website https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)