Job Summary
Cumbria Health is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of General Practice to provide senior strategic and operational leadership across six GP practice sites and the Millom Primary Care Network. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient, and sustainable delivery of high-quality primary care services across the region.
Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Medical Director, General Practice Clinical Lead, Lead Nurse, Clinical Leads, Practice Managers, and the Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will lead the coordination and integration of services across all sites. You will play a central role in harmonising operational processes, improving performance, implementing shared systems and policies, and strengthening collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
This role requires a strong systems thinker who can manage complexity across multiple sites while building high-performing teams and supporting clinical leaders to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.
Main Duties of the Job
* Provide strategic and operational leadership across six GP practices and the Millom PCN.
* Ensure consistent standards of care and operational performance while responding to the unique needs of each local practice population.
* Lead the coordination and integration of services across all sites to enhance efficiency and collaboration.
* Oversee financial performance, including budget management, income optimisation, and long-term financial sustainability.
* Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and organisational objectives.
* Drive service transformation and innovation, including digital improvements, workforce development, and enhanced patient access.
* Implement shared systems, policies, and operational processes to strengthen organisational resilience.
* Deliver measurable improvements in performance, patient experience, and service quality.
Core Values
* Clinically Focused Everything every one of us does is for the patient.
* Responsive We listen and respond quickly in a patient-focused way.
* One Team We work together to provide a high-quality, organised, and consistent service in partnership with local Acute and Community Trusts.
* High Standards Skilled professionals working to the highest standards and passionate about improving patient care.
* Growth & Sustainability With strong roots, we continue to thrive and grow.
* Communities Connecting and engaging to meet local needs.
About Us
Cumbria Health on Call - CH places the patient, their family and their community at the heart of everything we do. We are an award-winning organisation, the first out-of-hours organisation in the country to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We provide primary health care services, both in and out of hours, across Cumbria. We are values-driven and place great emphasis on inclusivity and the wellbeing and development of our staff, while striving to provide a consistently high-quality service. Our service is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Working for CH can offer flexible opportunities in terms of location, hours and working patterns so you can enjoy a great work life balance. In order to provide the best patient care we understand the importance of ensuring staff satisfaction and are consistently trying to ensure we offer our staff a positive working environment whether that be through training or social events.
Listen to your heart. Have the work life balance you'd love.
Job Details
Date posted: 17 March 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £48,500 to £58,500 a year dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: B0554-26-0035
Job locations: Cumbria Health, 4 Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, CA1 2SE
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential: Degree-level education (or equivalent experience).
* Desired: Management qualification (e.g., MBA, MSc Healthcare Management, or equivalent).
* Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Experience
* Essential: Significant senior management experience within healthcare, primary care, or a related sector.
* Experience managing multi-site operations or complex service delivery.
* Financial management and budget oversight experience.
* Experience leading service improvement or transformation programmes.
* Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
* Desired: Knowledge of digital technologies and their application in primary care.
* Understanding of quality improvement methodologies and tools.
* Familiarity with data analysis and performance.
Skills and Aptitudes
* Strong strategic and operational leadership skills.
* Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
* Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
* Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
* Ability to lead service transformation and improvement initiatives.
* Ability to manage financial planning and budget management.
* Ability to lead workforce planning and resource allocation.
* Desired: Experience in project management and change management.
* Ability to analyse data and inform decision‑making.
* Strong emotional intelligence and self‑awareness.
Other Requirements
* Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
* Commitment to working in line with Cumbria Health Values.
* Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
* Ability to represent General Practice services at senior leadership meetings.
* Ability to foster patient engagement and feedback mechanisms.
* Desired: Experience working in a collaborative environment with multiple stakeholders.
* Familiarity with regulatory requirements and inspection processes.
Personal Circumstances
* Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.
* Willingness to travel to different locations within Cumbria.
* Desired: Previous experience working in a similar role or environment.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
Cumbria Health
4 Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate
Carlisle
CA1 2SE
Website: https://cumbriahealth.co.uk/
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