Digital Strategy Lead (Digital Roadmap)

The Digital Strategy Lead sits within the Trusted Data & Technology Directorate at UKHSA, leading development of digital strategy to support pandemic preparedness. The role focuses on shaping a strategic roadmap for digital proximity technologies, working across UKHSA, NHS England, DHSC and partners to ensure alignment and delivery.

The post holder leads strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and governance to support development of future digital capabilities, translating evidence and lessons from COVID‑19 into sustainable solutions. This is a senior role requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to operate in a fast‑paced, evolving policy and technology environment.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.  

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.  

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

• Lead development of digital strategy and roadmap
• Align stakeholders across government and partner organisations
• Define future requirements for digital technologies
• Lead engagement with UKHSA, NHS, DHSC and external partners
• Translate complex evidence into strategic recommendations
• Establish governance and programme oversight
• Monitor risks, delivery and progress against objectives
• Provide advice and briefings to senior leaders
• Support programme delivery and implementation
• Respond to evolving priorities and policy changes

The Digital Strategy Lead is responsible for developing and delivering digital strategy to support pandemic preparedness across UKHSA. The role focuses on shaping the strategic direction of the Digital Proximity Programme, including development of a clear roadmap, milestones and delivery plans aligned with UKHSA, NHS England and wider government priorities.

The post holder works closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across government, academia and industry to build consensus and ensure alignment. This includes leading partnerships, engagement and collaboration activities. The role involves analysing emerging technologies and identifying opportunities to enhance digital capability, while ensuring alignment with governance, data standards and existing systems.

The post holder provides clear advice and briefings to senior leaders, translating complex digital and public health concepts into practical strategy and recommendations. Responsibilities include establishing governance structures, supporting programme reporting, managing risks and ensuring delivery against objectives. The role operates in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, requiring strong leadership, adaptability and the ability to manage competing priorities while driving strategic outcomes.

The above list is not exhaustive.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of creating partnerships with multiple organisations to deliver strategy and the implementation of shared outcomes.
• Experience of working in a leadership role.
• Experience of delivering strategy in different organisational settings.
• Knowledge of technology and its development life cycle, and experience of working on technology Programmes.
• Experience of developing effective relationships with stakeholders from a range of organisations have different objectives to jointly deliver shared outcomes.
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in an ambiguous and evolving policy context, shaping direction and identifying key questions, risks and dependencies in areas where requirements and solutions are still emerging.
• Effective at influencing senior leaders in shaping public health and other policy work.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and recommend appropriate actions including on complex or contentious issues 
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales 
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of different digital proximity technologies and technology systems.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to deliver complex workstreams at pace, managing competing priorities and maintaining oversight of strategic risks and interdependencies.
• Experience of translating complex scientific, digital and operational considerations into clear policy advice.
• Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in delivering fast paced work in an ambiguous ill defined context.