Head of Digital Patient Pathway Management: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an exceptional leader to establish and lead our Digital Patient Pathway Management (DPPM) function, driving the redesign of patient pathways through digital solutions, data and operational transformation. This is a unique opportunity to shape how care is delivered across one of the UK’s leading NHS organisations and the North West London Acute Provider Group.

Reporting to the Director of Performance and accountable to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead a high-profile portfolio of programmes focused on improving patient access, enhancing safety and delivering operational efficiency through digitally enabled change.

We are look for an individual who is passionate about improving patient outcomes through innovation and technology, who has substantial experience leading large-scale digital, transformation or improvement programmes in the NHS, who understands elective care, patient pathway management and operational performance and who can build strong relationships with senior clinical, operational and digital leaders.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the Trust’s Digital Patient Pathway Management function, driving digitally enabled transformation to improve patient access, safety, experience and operational performance.
• Develop and deliver a portfolio of digital pathway improvement programmes, ensuring projects are aligned to Trust, North West London and national priorities.
• Work in partnership with senior clinical, operational and digital leaders to redesign patient pathways, implement innovative solutions and realise measurable benefits for patients and staff.
• Provide strategic leadership for the DPPM team, setting direction, managing performance, developing staff and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead programme governance, performance monitoring, risk management and benefits realisation across a complex portfolio of transformation initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including executive leaders, NHS England, North West London partners and supplier organisations.
• Champion the adoption of digital tools and new ways of working, ensuring clinical and operational teams are supported to embed changes successfully.
• Translate complex digital, operational and strategic issues into clear recommendations and Board-level reports to support decision-making and organisational change.

Person Specification

Education/ qualifications

Essential

• Degree level or equivalent experience (relevant to role).
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant area or equivalent experience.
• Recognised management qualification or equivalent experience
• Received training in programme/project management process methodology

Desirable

• Qualification in Project Management

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a senior management role encompassing either programme or project management and preferably both.
• Experience of waiting list management, with knowledge of technical, operational and clinical challenges in managing RTT and non-RTT elective patient pathways
• Working knowledge of NHS elective care standards
• Proven track record of managing digital change programmes in the NHS
• Proven track record in managing programmes and projects on time and to successful conclusions having delivered at least two large projects to completion
• Demonstrable experience of working across organisational boundaries and with multiple internal and external stakeholders across organisations

Closing Date: 23 August 2026