Strategic Innovation Lead

Job summary

Are you ready to shape the future of healthcare? As our Strategic Innovation Lead, you'll spark digital transformation across Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust. You'll launch and lead our new Digital Innovation Academy, turning fresh ideas into real‑world solutions—think apps, automations, and smart dashboards that make a difference for staff and patients.

You’ll champion new ways of working, inspire teams to embrace technology, and make sure our digital projects are safe, inclusive and truly impactful. If you love leading change, building partnerships, and making things better for everyone, this is your chance to shine.

• Work closely with the Head of Improvement and Innovation, Digital Services, Business Intelligence, Information Governance, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion teams.
• Collaborate with patients, carers, and experts by experience to ensure solutions meet real needs.
• Partner with external organisations, including higher education, suppliers, and NHS digital providers.

• Lead the creation and delivery of innovative solutions
  —apps, automation, agents and dashboards—from idea to launch using a human‑centred design approach.
• Launch and run the Digital Innovation Academy
  , helping colleagues learn new digital skills and turn ideas into real improvements.
• Inspire teams to embrace new technology and ways of working, ensuring everything is safe, inclusive and effective.
• Use your proven experience in Quality Improvement (QI) to drive positive change and ensure our projects deliver real benefits.
• Work closely across the Trust and beyond
  , building strong partnerships and sharing best practice.
• Use data and feedback to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver value.
• Support and coach others
  , building a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Ensure high standards of quality, safety and accessibility for all digital work.

• A passion for digital innovation and making a difference.
• Proven experience in QI and delivering solutions from human‑centred design to deployment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Confidence to lead, coach and inspire others.
• Ability to turn ideas into practical solutions.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values:

• We Care – we act with respect and empathy, and always value difference.
• We Listen – we understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs.
• We Deliver – we develop and provide excellent services and support our partners.

We offer a range of flexible working arrangements and benefits, including:

• Increase mileage rates for > 3500.
• Wide range of health and wellbeing support packages.
• Internal and external development and learning opportunities.
• Many more.

We are proud to pledge support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are encouraged to participate in training and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas.

The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.

Date posted: 27 February 2026

Closing date: 15th March 2026

Shortlisting: week commencing 16th March 2026

Interviews: Provisional date 2nd April 2026 TBC

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 453-

Job location: New Mill, Bradford, BD18 3LD

Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer the role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you…