The Interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) serves as the organisation’s most senior clinical leader, responsible for shaping and delivering the clinical strategy, driving excellence in patient care, and ensuring safe, high-quality, and innovative clinical services across all operational areas within the Greater London region.
This role provides strategic clinical leadership to the Executive Board, supports system-wide transformation, and ensures that clinical governance, workforce capability, quality, and safety remain at the highest standard. The CMO will act as an influential ambassador externally, representing the organisation with Integrated Care Boards, regulatory bodies, and wider system partners while championing a culture of continuous improvement internally.
This position requires exceptional leadership, vision, and operational capability, with a strong understanding of urgent and emergency care, integrated clinical models, regulatory compliance, and strategic clinical development.
Salary: £133,600 for 0.8 FTE (minimum 4 days/week); £167,000 for 1.0 FTE Contract Duration: 4–6 months Base: Primarily on-site at the HQ in Welwyn Garden City
Key Responsibilities Board Leadership and Assurance
* Provide comprehensive reporting to the Board on clinical performance, safety, risks, and improvement initiatives.
* Hold organisational accountability for clinical safety and quality across all services.
* Lead the development of clinical policies, innovation proposals, and integration strategies for Board approval.
* Oversee serious incidents, complaints, and professional concerns, ensuring learning is effectively embedded.
* Produce and assure key governance outputs, including monthly board reports, annual quality accounts, audits, and evidence for regulatory compliance.
* Lead compliance with statutory, regulatory and professional standards across all services.
Organisational Leadership & Clinical Governance
* Serve as the senior accountable clinical leader for all services within the organisation.
* Provide visible, inspirational leadership to the Senior Leadership Team and the wider clinical workforce.
* Deliver appraisal, performance management, and strategic oversight of clinical teams.
* Ensure compliance with organisational values, objectives, NHS standards, and regulatory requirements.
* Lead the clinical workforce strategy, including recruitment, retention, capability building, and education.
* Manage resources and budgets within the clinical directorate to ensure high-value service delivery.
* Support safe and compliant operational service delivery across all clinical contracts.
Strategy, Innovation & System Development
* Develop, implement, and monitor the annual clinical strategy to ensure robust governance, safety, and service quality.
* Advise on commercial and service development opportunities, supporting new business initiatives.
* Ensure alignment with external policy, guidance, and statutory frameworks.
* Contribute to strategic workforce planning and transformation of urgent, primary, and integrated care pathways.
External Engagement & Representation
* Build and maintain strong relationships with ICBs, regulators, partners, professional bodies, and system stakeholders.
* Promote the organisation’s values, services and reputation at regional and national levels.
* Participate in external conferences, panels, and system-level leadership forums.
* Act as Caldicott Guardian, ensuring robust information governance, patient confidentiality, and data protection compliance.
* Serve as liaison representative with local medical committees and relevant system partners.
Service Delivery, Performance & Workforce Oversight
* Provide senior leadership to all clinical workforce groups, including GPs, Nurses, Paramedics, Dentists, and Allied Health Professionals.
* Oversee clinical performance monitoring systems, individual clinician audit processes, and productivity frameworks.
* Ensure compliance with all clinical KPIs across services, including urgent care and integrated care operations.
* Participate in the Gold (Director-on-Call) rota to support operational resilience during out-of-hours periods.
* Lead the development of clinical education programmes, working with deaneries and training bodies.
Information Governance & Data Security
In The Role Of Caldicott Guardian
* Provide strategic leadership for information governance, data protection, confidentiality management and security protocols.
* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, NHS requirements, and internal policies.
Training, Performance Review & Professional Development
* Engage with appraisal, revalidation processes, and statutory training.
* Support leadership development, education, and professional growth across the clinical workforce.
* Drive a culture of lifelong learning and excellence throughout the organisation.
Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential
* GMC registration with a licence to practise (GP or Specialist Register).
* Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.
* Level 4 Safeguarding Training.
* Postgraduate medical qualification (e.g. MRCGP, MRCS).
* Inclusion on the NHS England Performers List (GP route).
* Evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development.
Knowledge & Experience Essential
* Significant leadership experience at Medical Director, CMO, or equivalent senior clinical leadership level.
* Comprehensive experience in urgent care, primary care, NHS 111, out-of-hours, or unscheduled care.
* Proven organisational-level experience of clinical governance, safety, and quality improvement.
* Strong influencing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Substantial experience in workforce development, clinical performance management and service transformation.
* Deep understanding of NHS regulation, CQC requirements, safeguarding, data protection, and risk frameworks.
* Experience in clinical education, GP training, or accreditation processes.
* Demonstratable ability to innovate and introduce new or integrated clinical services.
* Commercial awareness and sound judgement in strategic decision-making.
Personal Attributes Essential
* Inclusive, collaborative, and inspiring leadership style with substantial interpersonal impact.
* Ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all system levels.
* Strong integrity, credibility, and commitment to organisational values.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* High level of digital literacy and analytical capability.
* Ability to work flexibly, including out-of-hours commitments.
Other Requirements
* Willingness to travel across operational sites and attend external meetings.
* Eligibility to work in the UK.