Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Merco Medical Staffing Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an exceptional Chief Medical Officer in the UK to drive clinical vision and uphold excellence in safety and quality. The CMO will represent services with stakeholders, ensuring compliance with NHS and regulatory standards, and lead clinical strategy. Candidates should have senior leadership experience and hold GMC registration. The role offers a contract of 4-6 months with potential for permanent placement based on mutual fit.

Qualifications

• GMC-registered medical practitioner with a current licence to practise.
• Proven senior medical leadership experience at CMO or Medical Director level.
• Experience in urgent care, primary care, or NHS.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical strategy and governance across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, oversight of incidents, and quality assurance.
• Inspire clinical teams through effective leadership and development.

Skills

Strategic clinical leadership

Patient safety

Clinical quality improvement

Strong communication skills

Service innovation

Influencing skills

Education

GMC-registered medical practitioner

MBBS or equivalent

Postgraduate medical qualification

Level 4 safeguarding training

Job description

Location: Within 1 hour of Taunton, Bedford, Peterborough or Welwyn Garden City
Hours: 30 hours across 4 days + on-call
Salary: up to £133,600 (based on 30hrs a week)
Contract: 4–6 months with potential to become permanent based on mutual fit
Start Date: January 2026
Reports to: CEO
Our Client: Healthcare provider in urgent and emergency care

Our client is seeking an exceptional Chief Medical Officer to serve as their most senior clinical leader. The CMO will drive the organisation’s clinical vision, uphold excellence in safety and quality, and lead clinical strategy, governance, and workforce development across all services.

As the organisation’s clinical figurehead, you will represent their services with ICBs, regulators, and system partners, influencing urgent and emergency care at regional and national levels. Internally, you will foster a culture of innovation, professional growth, and high-performing multidisciplinary practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic clinical leadership to the Board and Executive Team, producing regular clinical reports and quality evidence.
• Ensure patient safety, clinical quality, and regulatory compliance, including oversight of incidents, complaints and CQC action plans.
• Lead all clinical services and manage the clinical directorate budget.
• Inspire and develop clinical teams through visible leadership, workforce planning, and effective performance management.
• Champion organisational values, ensuring compliance with NHS England, CQC and FCA requirements.
• Drive clinical innovation, service transformation and education initiatives.

Essential Qualifications

• GMC-registered medical practitioner (GP or Specialist Register) with licence to practise.
• MBBS or equivalent, plus postgraduate medical qualification (e.g., MRCGP, MRCS).
• NHS England Performers List inclusion (GP).
• Level 4 safeguarding training.

Essential Experience

• Senior medical leadership experience (CMO/Medical Director level) within urgent care, primary care, OOH or NHS 111.
• Proven organisational-level leadership in clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement.
• Strong influencing and communication skills with experience developing medical and clinical workforces.
• Track record in service innovation and partnership working with Boards, ICBs, CQC and system partners.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, clinical governance, risk, safeguarding and healthcare legislation.
• Experience in urgent care or general practice; medical education or GP training exposure advantageous.
• Commercial acumen with sound judgement aligned to organisational values.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel across sites and attend external meetings.
• Flexibility for out-of-hours support.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

An organisational chart will be shared with shortlisted candidates following NDA.