Job Purpose
The Digital and Data Manager is a senior, specialist role responsible for the strategic development, optimisation, and governance of all digital and clinical information systems used at Lighthouse Medical Practice. The post-holder will lead digital innovation, drive change management, design operational processes for data and audit functions, and ensure the practice maximises the potential of digital clinical software.
This is not primarily a data entry or recall execution role. The post-holder is expected to design, build, debug and own the systems and processes that others follow, act as the practice’s principal IT and digital lead, and represent the practice in PCN and ICS digital workstreams.
They will line manage the work of the Data & Recall Administrator (excluding matters relating to HR) and be accountable for the quality and performance of the practice’s digital and data function.
The role reports to the Senior Management HR Lead and will work closely with the GP Lead for Digital and Data.
Key Responsibilities
Digital Strategy & Innovation
- Develop and maintain the practice’s Digital Strategy and IT Roadmap, aligned to NHS England primary care digital transformation priorities and PCN requirements.
- Lead the evaluation, procurement, and implementation of new digital tools and system upgrades, including clinical systems migrations or enhancements.
- Identify and propose innovations that improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and staff experience — presenting business cases to the Practice Management Team and Partners.
- Monitor national NHS digital policy and primary care technology developments, translating relevant changes into practice-level action plans.
- Act as the practice’s Digital Champion, building a culture of data-driven decision-making and digital confidence across all staff groups.
Change Management
- Lead the implementation and embedding of new system features, workflows, and digital processes.
- Design change management plans for significant system updates (e.g. EMIS upgrades, new Ardens templates, Accurx feature rollouts), ensuring minimal disruption to clinical operations.
- Facilitate training needs assessments and oversee the delivery of system training for clinical and administrative staff.
- Evaluate the impact of digital changes on patient care and practice performance, reporting outcomes to the Partners and Practice Management Team.
- Be able to build digital processes within existing software where that is possible, and ideally have skills to create bespoke solutions when needed.
- Able to work with the practice CSO to produce appropriate Clinical Safety Cases to meet the DCB0160 requirements
Digital Platforms
- Hold operational responsibility for the practice’s core clinical, operational, population health, and patient access platforms, including configuration, access control, data quality governance, and workflow design.
- Design, develop, and maintain searches, reports, templates, triage pathways, recall processes, and automated workflows to support contractual delivery, population health management, and clinical governance.
- Lead data quality assurance and audit activity, identifying coding, template, and workflow issues and implementing corrective actions in partnership with clinicians and operational teams.
- Oversee endtoend digital access and patient communication systems, including online consultation tools, patient messaging systems, patient recalls, and batch communications
- Oversee population health intelligence and analytics, using insights to support quality improvement, prescribing safety, longterm condition management, and strategic planning.
- Provide system‑level leadership across the practice and wider neighbourhood/PCN, supporting shared approaches to access, population health management, and delivery against system objectives.
QOF, IIF & Contractual Reporting
- Support strategic oversight of QOF performance, working with the clinical lead to set targets, monitor progress, and implement recovery plans where needed.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of CQRS, QOF, IIF, and other contractual data returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Review performance dashboards and share insights with the Partners and Practice Management Team, providing clear data-driven insight on achievement against all relevant indicators.
Line Management
- Directly line manage the work of the Data & Recall Administrator (excluding matters relating to HR), providing day-to-day supervision, structured 1:1s, mentoring and operational support.
- Design, document, and maintain the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process guides used by the Data & Recall Administrator.
- Set clear weekly and monthly task priorities for the Data & Recall Administrator, reviewing output quality and providing feedback.
- With the practice HR team, support recruitment for the Data & Recall Administrator role and contribute to induction and training programmes.
Information Governance & Cyber Security
- Work with the lead Information Governance Partner, ensuring compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and NHS Digital DSP Toolkit requirements.
- Maintain the Information Asset Register and oversee the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for new digital systems.
- Lead the practice’s response to data security incidents, near-misses, and oversee policy for Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs).
- Review and oversee information governance training needs and awareness across the practice.
Person Specification
Education
Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in health informatics, digital health, NHS management, or a related field
Change Management
Demonstrated experience of leading digital change projects from inception to evaluation
Analytical Ability
Strong data analysis and interpretation skills; able to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for clinical and non-clinical audiences
Communication
Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present to clinical leads, practice partners, and PCN stakeholders
Desirable Criteria
- Direct experience with EMIS, Accurx, Engage Consult, Ardens, Apex, CQRS, JiffJaff and Abtrace.
- Formal project or change management qualification
- Experience of Data Security & Protection requirements in an NHS setting.
- Experience presenting to practice partners, PCN boards, or CCG/ICB stakeholder groups.
- Knowledge of NHS contractual frameworks (GMS/PMS, PCN DES, IIF, QOF business rules).
- Experience working with ICS or PCN digital workstreams.
- Able to use PowerBI and AI to data visualisation tools
- NHS Experience - 3 years’ experience in an NHS primary care digital, informatics, or systems management role
- IG / GDPR - Sound working knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and NHS DSP Toolkit requirements
- Experience of line managing, mentoring, or supervising administrative or technical staff
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
