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The Estates Digital Officer plays a key role in driving digital transformation within the NHS Estates and Facilities teams. This position is responsible for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of digital systems such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), smart technologies, and carbon monitoring tools. The aim is to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and sustainability across the Trust’s estate.

Working closely with senior managers, the Estates Digital Officer provides expert advice on digital innovation, ensuring that systems and processes align with NHS standards, legislation, health and safety regulations, and best practices. A critical part of the role involves using data from the CAFM (Computer-Aided Facilities Management) system and other digital platforms to identify and resolve delayed tasks, supporting engineering teams and improving service delivery. The role also includes direct engagement with service users to ensure transparent communication and enhanced service
satisfaction.

An Estates Digital Officer leads the digital transformation of NHS estates and facilities. They are pivotal in deploying smart building technologies, Building Information Modelling (BIM), CAFM systems, and carbon monitoring, ensuring that estate data is accurate, compliant, and aligned with the Trust’s strategic objectives. They serve as a key adviser to senior Estates and Facilities leadership—guiding digital strategy, innovation and compliance with NHS standards, legislation, and Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs).

Key Responsibilities

1. Digital Strategy & Innovation
   Develop and implement a Digital Estates Strategy, aligning with NHS and Trust objectives.
   Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies like BIM, IoT, digital twins, smart sensors, and carbon monitoring tools.
   Translate national digital mandates into practical, local initiatives.
2. Data & Information Management
   Maintain and update CAFM systems, digital estate databases, and
   MICAD/IPR records for estates data integrity.
   Manage BIM documentation, templates, and asset data—including SIMP, PIR, AIR, EIR, and post-occupancy information.
   Ensure data supports critical systems such as Scan for Safety, GS1, and ERIC benchmarking.
3. Operational Delivery & Compliance
   Use CAFM insights to monitor task completion and follow up on delayed engineering jobs.
   Develop standardized operational protocols and workflows for estates teams based on data-driven insight.
   Ensure regulatory compliance with HTMs, health & safety regulations, and NHS digital standards.
4. Stakeholder Leadership & Support
   Advise senior Estates, Facilities, and Digital leaders, contributing to business cases and strategic initiatives.
   Provide digital and technical guidance to engineering, clinical, and
   operational teams, fostering collaboration.
   Provide user training and support, helping teams transition effectively to digital systems and new processes.
5. Monitoring, Reporting & Governance
   Lead the Trust’s estates data submissions, including ERIC and Estates Return reporting.
   Monitor data quality, flagging inconsistencies and driving corrective action.
   Manage programmes and team budgets, monitor performance, and ensure strong digital governance.
6. People & Project Management
   Lead and develop digital estates teams—often comprising BIM, data, and project staff.
   Plan and oversee implementation projects, and embed solutions into business-as-usual workflows .
   Promote digital literacy across departments through training around BIM, CAFM, digital twins, and smart monitoring systems.

Why This Matters in the NHS?

The Estates Digital Officer role ensures that estates and facilities operate efficiently, safely, and sustainably—with accurate data driving both operational decisions and strategic planning, including NET Zero sustainability targets, emergency preparedness, and estate-wide modernization.

Technical & Knowledge-Based Questions

1. Can you explain your experience with CAFM systems? Which systems have you used, and how have you applied them in estates management?
2. How have you supported or implemented BIM (Building Information
   Modelling) in your previous roles?
3. Describe how you’ve used data to identify and follow up on delayed tasks or engineering issues.
4. What are your key considerations when ensuring compliance with HTM (Health Technical Memorandum) guidance?
5. How would you ensure data quality and integrity when managing digital estates information such as asset registers or building plans?
6. How do you integrate digital monitoring tools to support carbon reduction and sustainability goals?

Behavioural-Based Questions (STAR method recommended)

7. Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple complex estates or digital projects simultaneously. How did you prioritise and stay on track?
8. Describe a situation where you had to influence senior managers or
   stakeholders to adopt a new digital system or process.
9. Give an example of when you identified a data inconsistency or reporting error. What steps did you take to resolve it?
10. Can you share a time when you had to train or support colleagues in using new digital tools or systems? What was the outcome?

Situational / Scenario-Based Questions

11. Imagine the CAFM system flags multiple overdue engineering tasks across several sites. How would you approach resolving these issues and ensuring service user communication is maintained?
12. You’re tasked with updating BIM documentation for a newly built hospital wing, but the construction data is incomplete. How do you proceed?
13. There’s resistance from the engineering team regarding a new smart
    monitoring system. How would you address this?
14. You notice the ERIC return is inaccurate and deadlines are tight. What actions would you take to correct and submit on time?

Leadership & Strategy Questions

15. How do you see the future of digital estates transformation in the NHS, and what role should Estates Digital Officers play in it?
16. What KPIs or metrics do you believe are most important when measuring the success of digital estates initiatives?
17. Describe how you’ve contributed to aligning digital estates work with an organisation’s sustainability or Net Zero targets.
18. Have you led or managed a team in implementing digital solutions? What was your leadership approach?

These questions assess your ability to communicate effectively, manage risks, organize workloads, and provide compassionate, user-centered care while working within a team. To prepare, focus on examples from your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).