Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
About
On 1 January 2025 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust became one of the largest trusts in the UK following the acquisition of North Middlesex University Hospital.
Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation. Welcome to the Royal Free
Contact
- Address
- Royal Free London Foundation NHS Trust
- Recruitment Services
- 10th Floor Enfield Civic Centre
- Silver Street
- Enfield
- London
- EN1 3ES
- Contact Number
- 0203 758 2060
Band 9 Chief Technology Officer
Accepting applications until: 11-Sep-2026 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 11-Sep-2026 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital
- Address
- Pond Street
- Town
- London
- Postcode
- NW3 2QG
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary
- Salary
- £121,528 - £138,529 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 9)
Specialty
- Main area
- Digital
- Interview date
- 22/09/2026
Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.
Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.
Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.
Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional Chief Technology Officer to provide strategic and operational leadership for technology across the Royal Free London Group. Reporting to the Chief Digital and Information Officer, this senior role will lead the Trust’s enterprise technology strategy, architecture, infrastructure, cyber security, platforms and service operations, ensuring our digital foundations are secure, resilient and fit for the future.
The CTO will play a critical role in enabling safe, high-quality patient care and supporting clinical and operational transformation across all Trust sites. You will oversee complex technology services, major investment decisions, supplier partnerships and risk management, ensuring technology delivers value, reliability and innovation at scale.
As a key member of the Digital senior leadership team, you will work closely with clinical, operational and corporate leaders, system partners and national bodies to align technology with organisational priorities and NHS standards. You will lead and develop high-performing teams, drive continuous improvement, and act as Deputy CDIO when required.
This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced digital and technology executive who can combine strategic vision, technical credibility and operational grip to help shape the future of healthcare technology across one of the largest NHS Trust groups.
Advert
The Chief Technology Officer will provide senior leadership for technology across the Royal Free London Group, ensuring that digital infrastructure, platforms, systems and services are secure, resilient, effective and aligned to the Trust’s strategic priorities.
The postholder will:
Lead the Trust’s enterprise technology strategy, architecture and technology roadmap.
Provide expert advice to the Chief Digital and Information Officer and executive leaders on technology risks, opportunities and investment.
Ensure technology supports safe, high-quality patient care and effective operational delivery across all Trust sites.
Lead the development of scalable, interoperable and future-ready technology platforms.
Manage technology-related risks, cyber security assurance and business continuity arrangements.
Oversee technology budgets, procurement, supplier relationships and commercial performance.
Drive innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies to improve patient outcomes, staff experience and operational efficiency.
Lead, develop and support high-performing technology teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Work closely with clinical, operational, corporate, system and national partners to ensure technology enables transformation and meets NHS standards.
Working for our organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
- AT* - Apprenticeship Training. Where AT* is entered next to the job title indicates that this vacancy is for an apprenticeship role.
- By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we require you to complete your stat and Man e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.
- If you are an EU/EEA citizen who does not have EU Settlement or Pre-Settled status, you will require a visa to work in the UK.
- You must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom or fully meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship; however, we can only consider these where all UKVI requirements are met. Before applying, please ensure that both you and the role satisfy the relevant UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) points‑based system criteria, as applications that do not meet these requirements cannot be progressed. For more information about the criteria, please click here
- If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a “selfie” using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
- The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
- The Trust will request a DBS (CRB) if post involves regulated activities. The Trust is compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service Codes of practice and the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
- By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
- Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
Please note:
- Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
- Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
- Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.
Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Royal Free World Class Values
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Master's degree or higher in computer science, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Relevant technology certifications (e.g., ITIL, TOGAF, CHTE, FedIP, CCIE, CompTIA, DCP).
Experience
Essential criteria
- Deep understanding of information technology principles, architectures, and best practices.
- Strong knowledge of relevant technologies, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
- Ability to align technology with business objectives.
- Experience leading organizational change initiatives
- Proven track record of successful technology implementations and strategic planning.
Desirable criteria
- Experience with healthcarespecific technology systems and regulations.
- Understanding of the healthcare industry and its challenges.
- Strong understanding of NHS policies, procedures, and standards.
Skills and aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Determine the most appropriate technologies to achieve the organisation’s objectives
- Assess the effect of changes on different parts of the organization and it’s partners
- Identify underlying causes of technology challenges faced by other leaders ad make strategic recommendations to resolve them
- Ensure technical architecture, including programme platforms and shared infrastructure, reflects the technical structures needed to achieve the organisation’s objectives
- Ensure the organisation uses and shares the appropriate technology architecture at the appropriate time
- Make architectural decisions for the organization taking into account costs, functionality, skills and other factors
- Assess the full financial implication of a technology buying decision
- Advise on the appropriate funding of shared technologies so that the cost is shared now and in future
- Guide decision making on appropriate approaches for buying technology, services and human resources so that technology investments achieve organizational goals
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a wide range of significant previous, current and potential technologies
- Assess if the organization has the most appropriate technologies to achieve its goals
- Quickly assess unfamiliar technology for potential use in our organization
- Detect and analyse early trends in society, technology, data or cyber security that could be important for your organization
- Advise the organization on the implications of societal changes, new technologies and uses of data, such as ethical, security or legal implications
- Support teams to identify and implement innovation that responds to and scales with a continually changing landscape
- Introduce technologies and methods that address shared problems
- Guide the organization to ensure it has the specialist digital, data and technology skills it needs
- Develop organizational processes and ways of working so that digital and data roles you support can thrive
- Continuously improve and optimize the organizational environment
Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential criteria
- Adherence to the highest ethical standards and commitment to maintaining the trust of patients, staff, and the public.
- A strong problem -solving mindset, capable of identifying and addressing complex technical and organizational issues.
- The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, particularly during times of crisis or unexpected challenges.
- Willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace new technologies and approaches.
- Understanding and appreciation of the needs and concerns of patients and staff.
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Charlotte Briscall
- Job title
- Chief Digital Officer
- Email address
- [email protected]
Start your application
Sign in
Create an account
Create your account and apply for your new job!






