Chief Technology Officer

Band 9 Chief Technology Officer – NHS | £121,528–£138,529 | London | Skilled Worker Sponsorship Available

CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Applications from candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

Closing date: 11 September 2026

Band 9 Chief Technology Officer – Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced technology executive ready to lead enterprise technology strategy within one of the UK’s largest NHS Trust groups?

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across its technology environment.

This is a senior NHS Band 9 leadership position covering enterprise technology strategy, architecture, infrastructure, cyber security, platforms, technology services, supplier management, investment and operational resilience.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO), clinical and operational leaders, corporate teams, system partners and national bodies to ensure technology supports safe, high-quality patient care and organisational transformation.

JOB HIGHLIGHTS

SKILLED WORKER VISA / SPONSORSHIP

Yes – candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply.

The NHS job advert explicitly states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

This means eligible overseas applicants and candidates already in the UK who require sponsorship should carefully review the role requirements and submit an application if they meet the criteria.

Applicants should independently confirm their individual immigration eligibility and sponsorship requirements before applying.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Chief Technology Officer will provide senior leadership for technology across the Royal Free London Group.

You will be responsible for ensuring that digital infrastructure, platforms, systems and technology services are:

• Secure
• Resilient
• Effective
• Scalable
• Interoperable
• Future-ready
• Aligned with NHS standards
• Aligned with organisational priorities

The CTO will also provide strategic advice to executive leadership on technology investment, risk, architecture and emerging technologies.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a technology executive who can combine strategic vision, technical credibility and strong operational leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will:

Enterprise Technology Strategy

• Lead the Trust’s enterprise technology strategy.
• Develop and maintain the technology roadmap.
• Provide strategic direction for technology architecture.
• Ensure technology investments support organisational objectives.
• Advise senior executives on technology opportunities and risks.

Technology Architecture & Infrastructure

• Lead the development of scalable technology platforms.
• Ensure infrastructure is resilient and fit for future requirements.
• Make architectural decisions based on cost, functionality, skills and organisational needs.
• Ensure appropriate technology architecture is available at the right time.
• Assess existing and emerging technologies for potential organisational use.

Cyber Security & Resilience

• Manage technology-related risks.
• Support cyber security assurance.
• Strengthen business continuity arrangements.
• Identify emerging cyber security and technology risks.
• Ensure technology environments remain secure and resilient.

Technology Investment & Procurement

• Oversee technology budgets.
• Assess the financial implications of technology purchasing decisions.
• Guide procurement strategies.
• Manage supplier relationships.
• Monitor commercial performance.
• Ensure technology investments deliver organisational value.

Innovation & Emerging Technology

• Identify emerging technology trends.
• Assess the potential impact of new technologies.
• Support responsible adoption of innovative solutions.
• Consider ethical, legal and security implications of new technologies and data use.
• Help teams introduce technology that addresses shared organisational challenges.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead high-performing technology teams.
• Develop a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Support continuous professional development.
• Ensure the organisation has the specialist digital, data and technology skills it needs.
• Improve organisational processes and ways of working.

NHS & Healthcare Transformation

• Work closely with clinical leaders.
• Collaborate with operational and corporate teams.
• Work with system and national partners.
• Ensure technology supports clinical and operational transformation.
• Help ensure technology meets relevant NHS standards.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & Professional Qualifications – Essential

• Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Relevant technology certifications such as ITIL, TOGAF, CHTE, FedIP, CCIE, CompTIA or DCP.

Experience – Essential

• Deep understanding of information technology principles.
• Strong knowledge of technology architectures and best practices.
• Knowledge of cloud computing.
• Knowledge of cyber security.
• Knowledge of data analytics.
• Ability to align technology with organisational and business objectives.
• Experience leading organisational change.
• Proven experience delivering successful technology implementations.
• Strong strategic planning experience.

Experience – Desirable

• Healthcare-specific technology systems.
• Healthcare regulations.
• Healthcare-sector experience.
• Understanding of NHS policies, procedures and standards.

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

The successful CTO will be expected to demonstrate the ability to:

• Determine appropriate technologies for organisational objectives.
• Evaluate the impact of technology changes across the organisation and its partners.
• Identify underlying causes of complex technology problems.
• Develop strategic recommendations.
• Ensure enterprise architecture supports organisational objectives.
• Make informed architectural decisions.
• Evaluate technology costs and financial implications.
• Advise on appropriate technology funding models.
• Guide technology procurement decisions.
• Evaluate existing and emerging technologies.
• Quickly assess unfamiliar technologies.
• Identify emerging technology and cyber security trends.
• Assess ethical, legal and security implications of technology and data.
• Support innovation.
• Introduce technology and methods that address shared organisational challenges.
• Develop digital and data capability.
• Improve organisational processes.
• Promote continuous improvement.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Applicants should demonstrate:

• High ethical standards.
• Commitment to maintaining the trust of patients, staff and the public.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to handle complex technical and organisational challenges.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong crisis-management capability.
• Adaptability.
• Willingness to embrace new technologies.
• Understanding of patient and staff needs.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

ABOUT ROYAL FREE LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and most innovative NHS Trusts.

The Trust operates across three main hospitals and provides care to more than 1.6 million patients, treats more than 200,000 patients in A&E, delivers more than 8,000 babies, and carries out more than 17 million tests.

The Trust highlights flexible working opportunities, benefits, training and career development as part of its employment offering.

WORK LOCATIONS

Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street
London
NW3 2QG
United Kingdom

Other Trust locations include:

• North Middlesex Hospital
• Barnet Hospital
• Chase Farm Hospital

CONTRACT & PAY

Salary: £121,528 – £138,529 per annum, inclusive of HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

NHS Band: Band 9

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

This vacancy may be particularly suitable for experienced:

• Chief Technology Officers
• Technology Directors
• IT Directors
• Digital Technology Executives
• Enterprise Architects
• Technology Transformation Leaders
• Head of Technology professionals
• Senior NHS technology professionals
• Healthcare technology executives
• Senior cyber and infrastructure leaders
• Technology professionals with significant enterprise leadership experience

Applicants should carefully review the complete person specification before applying.

OVERSEAS APPLICANTS

Overseas applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply, subject to meeting the role’s requirements and UK immigration rules.

The advert specifically confirms that applicants requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside other applicants.

Candidates applying from outside the UK should also be prepared to meet any applicable UK immigration, qualification, professional registration and criminal-record documentation requirements.

DBS CHECK

This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will therefore be required as part of the recruitment process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Closing date: 11 September 2026

Do not wait until the deadline to begin preparing your application.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be submitted through the official NHS Jobs application system.

Reference number: 391-RFL-8198730

APPLY NOW

Apply for Band 9 Chief Technology Officer

Candidates should read the full NHS vacancy information and person specification before submitting an application.

EMPLOYER

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Employer website:
https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Job enquiries:
Chief Digital Officer
Charlotte Briscall
c.briscall@nhs.net

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

This is a senior Band 9 technology leadership position. Applicants should ensure that their CV and supporting statement clearly demonstrate their senior-level technology leadership experience.

When preparing an application, consider highlighting:

1. Enterprise technology strategy experience.
2. Technology architecture leadership.
3. Cloud and infrastructure experience.
4. Cyber security and risk management.
5. Technology transformation programmes.
6. Strategic procurement and supplier management.
7. Budget and investment management.
8. Leadership of large technology teams.
9. Change management experience.
10. Experience working in complex or highly regulated environments.
11. Healthcare or NHS technology experience, where applicable.
12. Experience working with executive-level stakeholders.

QUICK SUMMARY

Band 9 Chief Technology Officer

Salary: £121,528–£138,529

Location: London

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Closing date: 11 September 2026

Employer: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applicants requiring current sponsorship are welcome

Reference: 391-RFL-8198730

Application: NHS Jobs

FINAL NOTE

This is a senior strategic technology position with responsibility for enterprise technology, architecture, infrastructure, cyber security, platforms, technology operations, investment and innovation across a major NHS Trust group.