Director Digital Data & AI

Job title: Director Digital Data & AI

NB: there is potential for a job-share arrangement

Salary range: Circa £90,000 at full-time / 37.5 hrs per week equivalent salary

Contract Terms: Full-time, 2-year fixed term contract on KSS AHSN Ltd Terms (trading as Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex). Part-time / job share applications welcome.

Base: Hybrid (Principal office: The Beehive, Gatwick, RH6 0PA) with travel across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and occasionally beyond.

Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer

Direct reports: Senior Programme Manager, Senior Manager

Budgetary responsibilities: Own P&L with strategic growth targets.

About Health Innovation KSS

Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is a leading driver of innovation in health and care, accelerating the adoption of digital, data and AI solutions to improve patient outcomes. We collaborate with NHS organisations, research institutions and industry partners to transform healthcare delivery in line with the government's 3 Strategic Shifts.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic Director of Digital Data & AI to lead and expand our efforts in AI, digital transformation and secure data environments (SDEs) for research. You will champion digital innovation, drive adoption across health and care systems and position Health Innovation KSS as a national leader in this space.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Develop and execute a digital, data and AI strategy for Health Innovation KSS aligned with our vision and growth objectives.
• Identify long-term opportunities to expand the use of SDEs and AI in healthcare, ensuring responsible adoption and mutual value creation.
• Lead engagement with NHS, industry and research partners to drive impactful digital transformation.
• Market and promote the region's digital & data assets, including the SDE to national and international stakeholders.

Technology & AI Implementation

• Stay ahead of emerging digital and AI trends, ensuring Health Innovation KSS remains a leader in the field.
• Oversee AI adoption, ensuring alignment with ethical and regulatory frameworks.
• Manage digital transformation projects, including AI applications, data analytics and digital marketing initiatives.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a thought leader, representing Health Innovation KSS at conferences and external events.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team.
• Drive collaboration with system partners, providing education, training and support for AI adoption.
• Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to optimise demand and resource planning.

Financial & Operational Management

• Lead and manage a P&L, ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
• Secure funding to drive adoption of digital and AI through partnerships and grants.
• Develop long-term relationships with life science and med tech sector, including development of research pipeline for the SDE.
• Track and measure the impact of digital and AI initiatives, refining strategies based on performance data.
• Ensure compliance with data security and regulatory requirements.

Key Outcomes & Success Measures

• Achievement of annual income and growth targets.
• Increased adoption of AI and digital solutions within the KSS region.
• Enhanced positioning of Health Innovation KSS as a leader in digital innovation and translational research.
• Strengthened partnerships with healthcare, academic and industry stakeholders.
• High-impact projects delivered on time and within budget.

What we're looking for Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or advanced degree in Business Management, Data Science, IT, Digital Health, or related fields.
• Proven leadership experience in AI, digital transformation or data-driven healthcare innovation.
• Strong understanding of NHS, healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks.
• Business development experience, including securing external funding and negotiating commercial partnerships.
• Experience managing high-value projects, budgets and P&L.
• Expertise in AI applications, data governance and secure data environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with a track record of influencing and negotiating at senior levels.

Desirable Experience

• Background in MedTech, HealthTech, Life Sciences or NHS digital transformation.

Skills & Leadership Qualities

• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into action.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving ability, capable of navigating ambiguous and politically sensitive environments.
• Passion for driving innovation and improving healthcare outcomes through digital and AI solutions.

Values and Behaviours

Health Innovation KSS has developed a clear vision for the direction of the company. A set of values and behaviours have also been developed and agreed to underpin this vision. Our values and behaviours framework can be found below. Applicants and employees will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to these values and behaviours, which will be assessed through the recruitment, selection and appraisal processes.

Diversity and Equal Opportunities

It is the desire of Health Innovation KSS to broaden diversity within its workforce.

Health Innovation KSS is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that all new, existing and prospective employees are treated fairly through the principles of equal treatment and promotion of diversity.

This includes:

• ensuring that all individuals who come into contact with Health Innovation KSS, whether as employees, stakeholders or in any other capacity are treated with dignity and respect;

• ensuring that the opportunities Health Innovation KSS provides for learning, personal development and employment are made available on a non-discriminatory basis and;

• providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for employees, stakeholders, visitors and others.

Along with all other Health Innovation networks (HINs), we are committed to a series of pledges to further support the diversity and innovation agenda.

Next Steps

To apply for this role, you must do so by following the application process, below.

You will answer some eligibility questions as well as some which are related to your job. After the job closes, our selection panel will review your application answers and CV. It is our aim to manage our recruitment processes in a fair, consistent and unbiased way. Please be assured that your application and CV will be entirely anonymised, at this stage of the selection process.

The closing date for final applications is 28th April 2025. We aim to conduct initial remote interviews W/C 5 th May 2025.