We are seeking an exceptional visionary leader to take on the role of Medical Director at a time of significant transformation and innovation, as well as providing a unique opportunity to work closely with Welsh Government (WG), across NHS Wales, with local authorities and wider public bodies, and other stakeholders. As Medical Director, you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence and inspire a culture of continuous improvement across Improvement and Transformation at NHS Wales Performance and Improvement and our other functions. You will be directly accountable to the Managing Director, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, for the development and effective delivery of the NHSP&I's annual work plan encompassing its broad range of work.
* To support NHS Wales to deliver better health services for patients and the public
* To support Ministers to hold NHS Wales to account for the provision of health services
* Improvement services
* Innovation support
* Value and sustainability support
* Clinical expertise in service improvement, drawing on the best in Wales
* Regional delivery support
Since its inception in April 2023, strong foundations have been put in place within NHS Wales Performance & Improvement (NHS P&I) – including a more joined up and informed approach between policy development and operational NHS delivery, and improved coordination and collaboration across whole systems and pathways. Building on this foundation, NHS P&I aims to be an acknowledged centre of excellence in its field, efficient and responsive to the needs of both NHS Wales and Ministers, supporting best practice, and streamlining accountability.
* Financial delivery support
* Performance management support
* Planning advice
* Advice to Welsh Government on use of powers of directions and intervention
The Medical Director will provide senior, visible, and authoritative clinical leadership across NHS Wales Performance & Improvement, supporting others to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care across national priority domains. The postholder will manage the clinical components of national programmes, support the development of new clinical initiatives, and provide mentorship and professional leadership to clinical leads across programmes and networks. They will ensure all clinical activity aligns with Welsh Government policy and strategy, ministerial priorities, and the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
1. Clinical Strategy & Standards
The post holder will work in close collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Health Services) and the Managing Director to define and deliver a coherent clinical programme of work for NHS P&I aligned to national policy, the National Clinical Framework and population health priorities. They will establish robust governance arrangements to ensure that national programmes and clinical networks operate in a coordinated, accountable and integrated manner. This includes working with CMO and Medical Director of NHS Wales, CNO and DCMO (health Services) on the development of clinical standards, quality metrics and outcome measures that drive patient safety, clinical effectiveness and continuous improvement. They will support CMO and CNO in their work to strengthen clinical governance and ensure patient safety. The post holder will develop systems and processes that enable work to be commissioned and prioritised across programmes, ensuring resources are directed to achieve the best outcomes for patients and reduce unwarranted variation.
2. Programme Leadership
The post holder will provide professional and strategic leadership to clinical leads across all national programmes and networks, including new and emerging programmes such as Cancer and Women, Children and Early Years. They will ensure that programmes are clinically led, outcome-focused and aligned to national priorities. They will also ensure that national programmes are aligned to the Health Outcomes Framework currently under development. They will promote approaches that integrate prevention, digital innovation, care closer to home and value in healthcare, ensuring programmes are designed to deliver sustainable, high-quality care. The role will actively drive collaboration across disciplines, organisations and sectors, reducing siloed working and maximising system-wide impact.
3. Care Closer to Home & Prevention
The post holder will champion place-based, person-centred models of care that emphasise prevention, early intervention and the development of strong community pathways. They will work to ensure that clinical strategies reduce unnecessary dependency on secondary care and support population health improvement. They will work across the system to ensure that prevention and early intervention are embedded within programme design and service transformation, supporting integrated care and improved outcomes for patients and communities.
4. Digital Transformation
The post holder will support the safe and effective adoption of digital health, artificial intelligence and virtual care technologies, including virtual wards and remote monitoring models. They will ensure that digital innovation is clinically led, evidence-based and aligned with national priorities, delivering tangible benefits for patients, clinicians and the wider system while maintaining patient safety and quality.
5. System Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
The post holder will engage closely with Welsh Government, Health Board Executives and partner organisations to ensure clinical programmes and transformation activity deliver on national policy and system priorities. They will ensure that patient and public views are meaningfully understood and inform service design and transformation initiatives. Using highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills, the post holder will build strong stakeholder relationships to support delivery of the National Clinical Framework Programme and wider transformation agenda.
6. Professional Standards & Patient Engagement
The post holder will ensure that all public and patient-facing activity is conducted to the highest professional and ethical standards. They will promote a culture of accountability, integrity and excellence across all clinical activities, reinforcing trust, professionalism and patient-centred care throughout NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.
7. Promoting Equality & Reducing Inequalities
The post holder will uphold organisational policies and principles relating to equality, diversity and inclusion within NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. They will create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, and all individuals are supported to contribute fully. They will influence and shape service design and delivery to reduce health inequalities, ensuring disadvantaged and underserved groups receive equitable access to high-quality care.
8. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
The post holder will work closely with the Chief Medical Officer, Deputy CMO (Health Services), CNO programme and network clinical leads, Health Board executives and clinical directors, and patient and public representative groups. They will maintain strong, professional relationships while exercising appropriate independence, authority and constructive challenge. The role will represent NHS Performance and Improvement at senior national and system-level forums, providing credible clinical leadership and influence.
9. Management of Resources
The post holder will ensure effective planning, allocation and oversight of financial resources in line with organisational priorities and statutory requirements. They will monitor and manage budgets, ensuring value for money, cost control and delivery of financial targets. They will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and optimise resource utilisation across the directorate, while also ensuring the effective management of physical and technological resources in line with organisational standards and policies.
10. Mentorship, Workforce and Staff Management
The post holder will provide strategic leadership and direction for the workforce within their directorate, ensuring effective recruitment, development and retention of staff. They will create an environment that supports staff engagement, wellbeing and continuous professional development. They will ensure effective deployment of staff to meet operational demands and service objectives, providing mentorship, supervision and development opportunities for clinicians across NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. The role will promote interdisciplinary working, leadership development, succession planning and inclusive workforce practices.
11. Governance and Assurance
The post holder will contribute to quality assurance, escalation and assurance processes for clinical programmes, chairing agreed clinical leadership forums to support system-wide decision-making and shared learning. They will ensure robust governance arrangements are in place across all directorate functions, maintaining compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational policies, including health and safety, data protection and financial regulations. Acting as the senior accountable officer for risk management, performance monitoring and escalation within the directorate, the post holder will provide timely, accurate and transparent reporting to boards, committees and regulators, promoting a culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement.
12. Leadership of Teams
The post holder will lead, inspire and motivate multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and innovative culture. They will demonstrate compassionate, values-based leadership, particularly in high-pressure environments, balancing support with appropriate challenge to drive improvement while maintaining accountability.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view on Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
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