Chief Administrative Information Officer

We are seeking an inspiring Chief Administrative Information Officer to

provide Trust-wide professional leadership for our Administrative

Professionals. This new Band 7 role offers a unique opportunity to build a

strong professional community, influence organisational decision-making and

shape how administrative services support safe, efficient and high-quality

patient care. You will lead the Administrative Professionals Network and work

with operational, clinical and digital leaders to simplify processes, strengthen

professional development and make effective use of digital technology,

automation and innovation. This role will suit an experienced NHS

administrative or operational professional who can build relationships,

influence without direct authority and turn ideas into measurable improvements

for patients and colleagues.

Main duties of the job

You will establish and lead the Trusts Administrative Professionals

Network, giving colleagues a clear voice and creating opportunities to share

learning, develop skills and celebrate good practice. Working across care

groups, corporate services and Digital Services, you will identify where

administrative pathways can be simplified, standardised or digitally enabled.

You will facilitate engagement, translate operational challenges into practical

improvement initiatives and ensure administrative requirements are represented

in EPR and wider transformation programmes. You will also promote career

development, digital capability, wellbeing and inclusion across the profession;

advise and mentor colleagues leading change; contribute to business cases and

benefits realisation; and represent the Trust in relevant regional and national

networks.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on

AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of

success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

Date posted

01 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-NP-N341

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Professional leadership and engagement

Provide Trust-wide leadership and advocacy for Administrative Professionals.

Lead the Administrative Professionals Network, develop an engaged community of

practice and ensure administrative expertise informs organisational decisions,

service redesign and transformation.

Service improvement and digital transformation

Work with administrative colleagues, operational managers, clinicians and

Digital Services to review patient and administrative pathways. Identify

opportunities to reduce duplication and administrative burden, standardise

processes and improve quality, productivity, patient experience and staff

experience. Champion effective use of the EPR, Microsoft 365, automation,

artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Workforce development

Promote professional standards, continuing development, career pathways,

digital capability, succession planning, wellbeing and recognition. Provide

advice, coaching and mentorship to colleagues involved in improvement and

innovation.

Influence and delivery

Build effective relationships across Trust services and with external partners.

Facilitate meetings, workshops and engagement activity; communicate complex

information clearly; develop recommendations and contribute to business cases,

improvement initiatives and benefits realisation. Monitor relevant policy, best

practice and technology, representing the Trust at appropriate internal,

regional and national forums.

The post holder will work flexibly across Trust sites and may provide line

management for designated staff where applicable.

Job responsibilities

Professional leadership and engagement

Provide Trust-wide leadership and advocacy for Administrative Professionals.

Lead the Administrative Professionals Network, develop an engaged community of

practice and ensure administrative expertise informs organisational decisions,

service redesign and transformation.

Service improvement and digital transformation

Work with administrative colleagues, operational managers, clinicians and

Digital Services to review patient and administrative pathways. Identify

opportunities to reduce duplication and administrative burden, standardise

processes and improve quality, productivity, patient experience and staff

experience. Champion effective use of the EPR, Microsoft 365, automation,

artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Workforce development

Promote professional standards, continuing development, career pathways,

digital capability, succession planning, wellbeing and recognition. Provide

advice, coaching and mentorship to colleagues involved in improvement and

innovation.

Influence and delivery

Build effective relationships across Trust services and with external partners.

Facilitate meetings, workshops and engagement activity; communicate complex

information clearly; develop recommendations and contribute to business cases,

improvement initiatives and benefits realisation. Monitor relevant policy, best

practice and technology, representing the Trust at appropriate internal,

regional and national forums.

The post holder will work flexibly across Trust sites and may provide line

management for designated staff where applicable.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience in NHS administrative or operational services.
• Leading or supporting service improvement, transformation or change.
• Reviewing and redesigning administrative processes.
• Engaging diverse stakeholders and building collaborative relationships.
• Supporting or implementing digital systems or ways of working.
• Facilitating meetings, workshops or engagement events.
• Presenting information and recommendations to senior managers.

Desirable

• Leading or coordinating a professional network, community of practice or staff forum.
• EPR implementation or optimisation.
• Project or programme delivery.
• Working across multiple departments or services.
• Coaching, mentoring or developing colleagues.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS administrative services and patient pathways.
• Understanding of digital transformation, EPR systems and administrative workflows.
• Knowledge of service improvement, process redesign and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse complex processes and identify improvements.
• Strong organisation, planning and prioritisation.
• Ability to build collaborative multidisciplinary relationships and support change.
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365 and other digital technologies.

Desirable

• Knowledge of national NHS digital strategies and frameworks, including What Good Looks Like.
• Knowledge of automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Understanding of NHS transformation programmes, benefits realisation, workforce development and professional networking.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent leadership experience.
• Training in quality improvement, service improvement or change management.

Desirable

• Project or programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, Agile or MSP.
• Lean, quality improvement or service redesign qualification.
• NHS Leadership Academy or equivalent leadership development programme.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel across Trust sites.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs.
• Demonstrates the Trusts values and behaviours.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Active participation in regional or national professional or improvement networks.
• Willingness to represent the Trust at external meetings and events.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience in NHS administrative or operational services.
• Leading or supporting service improvement, transformation or change.
• Reviewing and redesigning administrative processes.
• Engaging diverse stakeholders and building collaborative relationships.
• Supporting or implementing digital systems or ways of working.
• Facilitating meetings, workshops or engagement events.
• Presenting information and recommendations to senior managers.

Desirable

• Leading or coordinating a professional network, community of practice or staff forum.
• EPR implementation or optimisation.
• Project or programme delivery.
• Working across multiple departments or services.
• Coaching, mentoring or developing colleagues.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS administrative services and patient pathways.
• Understanding of digital transformation, EPR systems and administrative workflows.
• Knowledge of service improvement, process redesign and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse complex processes and identify improvements.
• Strong organisation, planning and prioritisation.
• Ability to build collaborative multidisciplinary relationships and support change.
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365 and other digital technologies.

Desirable

• Knowledge of national NHS digital strategies and frameworks, including What Good Looks Like.
• Knowledge of automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Understanding of NHS transformation programmes, benefits realisation, workforce development and professional networking.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent leadership experience.
• Training in quality improvement, service improvement or change management.

Desirable

• Project or programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, Agile or MSP.
• Lean, quality improvement or service redesign qualification.
• NHS Leadership Academy or equivalent leadership development programme.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel across Trust sites.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs.
• Demonstrates the Trusts values and behaviours.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Active participation in regional or national professional or improvement networks.
• Willingness to represent the Trust at external meetings and events.

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Professional leadership and engagement

Provide Trust-wide leadership and advocacy for Administrative Professionals.

Lead the Administrative Professionals Network, develop an engaged community of

practice and ensure administrative expertise informs organisational decisions,

service redesign and transformation.

Service improvement and digital transformation

Work with administrative colleagues, operational managers, clinicians and

Digital Services to review patient and administrative pathways. Identify

opportunities to reduce duplication and administrative burden, standardise

processes and improve quality, productivity, patient experience and staff

experience. Champion effective use of the EPR, Microsoft 365, automation,

artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Workforce development

Promote professional standards, continuing development, career pathways,

digital capability, succession planning, wellbeing and recognition. Provide

advice, coaching and mentorship to colleagues involved in improvement and

innovation.

Influence and delivery

Build effective relationships across Trust services and with external partners.

Facilitate meetings, workshops and engagement activity; communicate complex

information clearly; develop recommendations and contribute to business cases,

improvement initiatives and benefits realisation. Monitor relevant policy, best

practice and technology, representing the Trust at appropriate internal,

regional and national forums.

The post holder will work flexibly across Trust sites and may provide line

management for designated staff where applicable.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in NHS administrative or operational services.
• Leading or supporting service improvement, transformation or change.
• Reviewing and redesigning administrative processes.
• Engaging diverse stakeholders and building collaborative relationships.
• Supporting or implementing digital systems or ways of working.
• Facilitating meetings, workshops or engagement events.
• Presenting information and recommendations to senior managers.

Desirable

• Leading or coordinating a professional network, community of practice or staff forum.
• EPR implementation or optimisation.
• Project or programme delivery.
• Working across multiple departments or services.
• Coaching, mentoring or developing colleagues.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS administrative services and patient pathways.
• Understanding of digital transformation, EPR systems and administrative workflows.
• Knowledge of service improvement, process redesign and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse complex processes and identify improvements.
• Strong organisation, planning and prioritisation.
• Ability to build collaborative multidisciplinary relationships and support change.
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365 and other digital technologies.

Desirable

• Knowledge of national NHS digital strategies and frameworks, including What Good Looks Like.
• Knowledge of automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Understanding of NHS transformation programmes, benefits realisation, workforce development and professional networking.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent leadership experience.
• Training in quality improvement, service improvement or change management.

Desirable

• Project or programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, Agile or MSP.
• Lean, quality improvement or service redesign qualification.
• NHS Leadership Academy or equivalent leadership development programme.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel across Trust sites.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs.
• Demonstrates the Trusts values and behaviours.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Active participation in regional or national professional or improvement networks.
• Willingness to represent the Trust at external meetings and events.