What's Happening?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the UK is offering a salary of up to £285,000 to recruit a new Director General for technology, digital, and data. This role is pivotal as it involves
leading the integration of digital and data solutions into patient services and overseeing the transition to a new operating model aligned with ministerial priorities and the NHS's 10-Year Plan. The successful candidate will initially sit on a joint committee managing the work of DHSC and NHS England, which is set to be abolished and integrated into the government. The role includes managing a significant budget, shaping organizational design, and building a high-performing team to enable a modern, data-driven health and care system. The new leader will spearhead the strategic vision and technology roadmap to drive digital transformation across health and care, focusing on improving patient outcomes through secure and scalable technology infrastructure.
Why It's Important?
This recruitment is significant as it underscores the DHSC's commitment to modernizing the UK's health and care services through digital transformation. The role is crucial for driving large-scale technology and data initiatives that aim to standardize and improve services, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. The integration of digital solutions is expected to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and provide better healthcare services to the public. The position's high salary reflects the importance and complexity of the task, as well as the need for a leader with resilience, pragmatism, and the ability to deliver complex programs. This move is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the UK's health system remains at the forefront of technological innovation, which is essential for meeting future healthcare challenges.
What's Next?
Applications for the position are open until February 9, 2026. The DHSC is looking for a purpose-driven leader who is deeply aligned with the mission of improving health and care services through technology and data innovation. The new Director General will be expected to instill best practices in management and governance, and to enhance the NHS App for higher adoption through improved citizen experience. The role also involves rationalizing the sourcing map and vendor ecosystem for the DHSC. The department expresses a preference for a permanent appointment but is open to loan or secondment options for candidates from existing government roles or non-departmental public bodies.
