14 Dec 2025 BBBH61813 Discovery Manager | Band 8a Up to £53755 per annum Belfast

Northern Ireland Water Limited; Belfast; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector client in Northern Ireland is seeking an experienced Digital Portfolio Discovery Manager to lead strategic digital transformations across health and social care. The successful candidate will define and initiate digital projects, liaise with various stakeholders, and ensure the deployment of resources in line with policy. Strong influencing and leadership skills within ICT environments are essential. This position is based in Belfast, offering a Band 8a salary with potential for extension beyond the initial 3 months.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in delivering ICT technology/digital projects.
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate with senior management and clinical professionals.
• Experience in budget management for ICT/digital projects.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop strategic digital projects.
• Coordinate production of essential start-up documentation and business cases.
• Promote best practice in programme/project management.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

ICT requirements analysis

High-level influencing

Tools

PRINCE2

Job description

MCS Group is working with a major Public Sector Client who are seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to join its ITC department as a Digital Discovery Manager.

About the Role: The Digital Transformation Leader

DHCNI sets the strategic vision for Digital Transformation across Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. We are seeking a highly experienced, dynamic leader to join our EPMO team to drive the initial stages of our most strategic digital investments.

The Digital Portfolio Discovery Manager is a critical, senior position responsible for defining and shaping the regional digital project portfolio. You will bridge the gap between strategic vision and project execution, ensuring new initiatives are robust, compliant, and aligned with the delivery of high-quality patient and client care across the HSCNI.

Key Responsibilities:

Discovery and Strategic Development

• Lead Discovery: Take lead responsibility for defining, developing, and initiating strategic digital projects.

• Business Case Creation: Coordinate the production of essential start-up documentation, including Discovery Reports, Mandates, and Strategic Outline Cases (SOCs).

• Requirements Analysis: Lead business analysis processes to identify stakeholder Digital/ICT requirements, expected benefits, and advise on potential ICT solutions.

Portfolio Management and Governance

• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the strategic planning for regional service improvement through digital and ICT use.

• Resource Coordination: Coordinate the deployment of resources allocated to projects and ensure strict adherence to all policy and procedures (approval, selection, procurement, implementation).

• Best Practice: Promote and enforce best practice in programme/project management, including the use of structured methodologies like PRINCE2.

Stakeholder Engagement and Leadership

• Collaboration: Work closely with Directors, Assistant Directors, senior clinical representatives, DoH, Trusts, and external suppliers to agree on common approaches and define effective solutions.

• Technical Leadership: Provide strong professional and ICT/digital technical leadership, translating complex ICT issues for non-technical stakeholders (Clinicians, Senior Management).

Essential Criteria

• 2 years in the last 5 of successfully delivering challenging ICT technology/digital projects
• 2 years in the last 5 of communicating and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders at all levels, including senior management and senior clinical professionals.
• 2 years in the last 5 successfully utilising high-level influencing, governance, leadership, and organisational skills, particularly in environments with significant barriers to change.
• Experience holding delegated responsibility for budget management, particularly with regards to ICT/digital projects or services.
• Knowledge and experience of business requirements analysis and developing strategic ICT/digital proposals, including the preparation of business cases.

Desirable

• Holding Prince II Practitioner, Management of Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner, or Management of Portfolio (MoP) Practitioner qualifications.

Compensation and Location:

• Salary Band: Band 8a (£53,755 | £27.49/hr)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week.
• Location: Belfast
• Duration: 3 Months (31/03/2026) - Potential for Extension for the right candidate

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send an up to date CV via the link provided or contact Corey Hillis, Specialist Temporary Recruiter, at MCS Group [phone]

(You must have eligibility to work in the UK - sponsorship not available.)

Please Note - These positions may be subject to an Access NI check. A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. This will be considered in line with Access NI code of practice & MCS Group's Access NI policies.

Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current and exclusive roles www.mcsgroup.jobs