Director of Digital Operations, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

At the Northern Care Alliance (NCA), we are shaping the future of digital healthcare in one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious NHS provider organisations. With over 20,000 colleagues serving a population of more than one million people across Greater Manchester, we are committed to delivering exceptional care underpinned by progressive, joined-up digital services.

We are now seeking an outstanding Director of Digital Operations to join our senior digital leadership team, reporting directly to our Chief Digital and Information Officer, Lorna Allan. This is a pivotal role at the heart of one of the most complex and high-impact digital transformation programmes in the NHS.

You will lead the operational delivery of our digital services portfolio – spanning infrastructure, networks, end-user support, service desk and cyber security – ensuring high performance, reliability, and resilience across our digital estate. Acting as the CDIO’s operational deputy, you will represent the NCA at trust, regional and national levels, and play a central role in shaping a unified, high-performing digital function as we integrate services across three legacy organisations.

This is a high-profile, senior leadership role with significant strategic, technical, and operational responsibility. You will manage a substantial capital and revenue portfolio and provide visible, values-driven leadership to a large team of digital professionals. Working in close partnership with colleagues across our clinical and operational divisions – and as a key enabler in our Electronic Patient Record (EPR) programme – you will help us unlock the full potential of digital to improve patient care and operational efficiency.

We are looking for a proven digital leader with the credibility, technical depth and leadership presence to operate at executive level. While previous NHS or wider public sector experience is advantageous, it is not essential. We actively welcome applications from other complex, regulated sectors – such as financial services, telecoms, critical infrastructure or large-scale commercial environments – where you will have delivered enterprise-grade digital operations and led significant transformation.

What matters most is that you bring a strong track record of leading high-performing digital teams, expertise across infrastructure, cyber security and service management, and a deep commitment to service excellence, collaboration, and inclusive leadership. If you share our values and believe in the power of digital to transform services and improve lives, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We value diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to building a leadership team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and offer flexible working arrangements.

This is a rare opportunity to lead at scale in one of the UK’s most exciting health and care systems. If you share our ambition and values, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Creating the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust brings together staff and services from Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT) and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAT). The NCA NHS Foundation Trust was formally established on 1 October 2021 and has been working together as a group since 2016.

Who are we?

Our dedicated team of around 20,000 staff – our NCA Family – delivers healthcare excellence to over one million people across Salford, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury, as well as providing more specialist services to patients from Greater Manchester and beyond.

Patients and service users may receive a range of integrated health and social care services at their home or in their community or be treated and cared for in one of our four hospitals – Salford Royal Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary or Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.

Our aim is to deliver consistently high standards of care to them all.

Patients may be visiting one of our four hospitals or receiving a range of integrated health and social care services at their home or in the community.

The NCA team works to save lives and improve lives. By joining forces with the partner organisations who share our values, we’re committed to enhancing the health of our local communities.

Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Digital Operations at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA). This is an exciting time to join us, as we continue to deliver one of the largest and most ambitious digital transformation agendas in the NHS. Our vision is to create a high-performing, unified digital service that enables outstanding care for the people we serve across Greater Manchester.
As CDIO, I’m proud of the progress we’ve already made. But we’re also very aware of the scale of our ambition and of the importance of attracting exceptional leaders to help us deliver it. The Director of Digital Operations is a critical appointment in our journey.
You’ll be joining a digital leadership team that is values-led, collaborative and committed to meaningful impact. Your role will be to lead the operational heart of our digital service – including infrastructure, end-user support, service desk, networks and cyber security – while helping shape the future through involvement in our strategic programmes, including the implementation of our new Electronic Patient Record.
You’ll also act as my operational deputy and a key voice in the development of our future digital service, both within the Trust and across the wider Greater Manchester system.
We are looking for a leader who combines technical credibility with strong people leadership and operational grip. You may come from the NHS, wider public service, or a similarly complex and fast-paced environment. What matters most is your ability to lead high-performing teams, build strong relationships, and help us deliver a modern, reliable and resilient digital service that supports safe, effective and compassionate care.
This is a role of real scale and offers the chance to shape the future of digital healthcare in one of the country’s most vibrant and forward-thinking regions. If you are motivated to bring your skills, experience and energy to help us make a lasting difference, I would encourage you to speak with our advisors at Alumni Global for a conversation to find out more.
I look forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes
Lorna Allan
Chief Digital and Information Officer
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Please click here to read more about us
Please click here to read the Job Description & Person Specification
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the relevant role reference number: A041186
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and NCA that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and NCA’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Pascal Heward, Consultant on +44 771 811 94 54
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Closing date: 31 October 2025 - TBC
Stakeholder Sessions: TBC
Final Interviews: w/c 10 November 2025
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.