Chair of the Scottish Medicines Consortium & Chair of the New Drugs Committee & Vice Chair SMC

NHS Scotland; City of Edinburgh, Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Scotland seeks two Chair positions for the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and New Drugs Committee (NDC). The role includes chairing committees, leading medicines policy development, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Candidates must be practicing healthcare professionals with experience in complex environments. This position offers flexible working in Edinburgh/Glasgow, with applications closing on 18th January 2026.

Qualifications

• Professional credibility within and beyond their professional field.
• Experience chairing complex multidisciplinary groups.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to differing audiences.

Responsibilities

• Chairing the SMC Committee to ensure robust decisions.
• Leading developments in SMC methods and policies.
• Influencing and informing medicines policy for NHS Scotland.

Skills

Credibility in professional field

Chairing complex multidisciplinary groups

Leading and motivating at a national level

Communicating complex issues

Knowledge of medicines regulation

Health technology assessment principles

Education

Registered healthcare professional

Job description

Chair of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) (1 Post - 236386)

Chair of the New Drugs Committee (NDC)/Vice Chair SMC (1 Post - 236386)

2 x Secondments until 31st March 2029

16 Hours per Week (0.4 WTE)

Commensurate with existing salary

Edinburgh/Glasgow: Hybrid working will apply for the foreseeable future

The purpose of SMC is to improve healthcare through health technology assessment of new medicines, with the provision of advice to Health Boards on their clinical and cost-effective use. SMC is part of the Evidence and Digital Directorate of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The SMC Chair and NDC Chair provide leadership for a national Committee whose decisions influence access to new medicines and patient care across NHSScotland. SMC analyses information supplied by pharmaceutical companies on the health benefits of the medicine and justification of its price, as well as information from clinical experts and patient group partners on patients lived experience. The post-holders will be responsible for effective leadership of an SMC Committee to ensure that medicines that are good value for money are accepted for routine use as quickly as possible so that they can benefit patients.

Both Chairs have a key role in influencing and informing the development of new medicines policy for the NHS in Scotland.

We are seeking two outstanding healthcare professionals to provide leadership to SMC and NHSScotland in the evaluation and managed introduction of new medicines by doing the following.

SMC Chair

• chairing the SMC Committee to ensure that the Committee reaches robust decisions based on thorough appraisal of all relevant data and evidence
• leading developments in SMC methods and policy in collaboration with the SMC Executive and senior team
• leading strategic partnerships with stakeholder groups in Scotland including Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees, clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry and patient groups
• working closely with and supporting the SMC Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser and senior team on evolving workstreams
• representing SMC, as part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, at national and international groups

NDC Chair

• chairing NDC to ensure that the Committee makes robust recommendations to SMC based on thorough appraisal of all relevant data and evidence
• deputising for the SMC Chair in their absence
• influencing SMC methods and policy as part of the SMC Executive
• undertaking meetings with representatives of pharmaceutical companies as required
• supporting strategic partnerships with stakeholder groups in Scotland including Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees, clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry and patient groups
• representing SMC, as part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, at national and international groups

All candidates should have:

• professional credibility within and beyond their professional field
• experience of effectively chairing complex multidisciplinary groups
• experience of working in a complex, emergent environment
• proven ability to lead, influence and motivate at national levelthe ability to communicate complex issues to differing audiences
• a detailed knowledge of medicines regulation and health technology appraisal and a sound knowledge of health technology assessment, including the principles of health economics
• practical relevant experience by membership of an ADTC, NDC, SMC or equivalent body is highly desirable

The Chairs must be practicing and registered healthcare professionals, subject to appraisal and revalidation with the relevant professional body and hold a substantive NHS post.

The Chairs are responsible to the Director of Evidence. Secondees also have professional accountability to the relevant Professional lead within HIS.

Any individual wishing to pursue this opportunity as a secondment must first seek the support of their line manager. Please note in your application if you wish to apply for one or both roles.

For further information on the role, please contact Yvonne Semple, Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser via email [e-mail]

Closing Date for applications: Midnight on 18th January 2026

It is anticipated that interviews will be held as follows:

NDC Chair: 29th January 2026

SMC Chair: 2nd February 2026 with a stakeholder event on 28th January