Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Merco Medical Staffing Ltd; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical staffing company is seeking a Chief Medical Officer to oversee clinical strategy and governance. The ideal candidate will have senior medical leadership experience, a GMC registration, and a strong understanding of healthcare legislation. Responsibilities include ensuring quality and safety standards, strategic leadership, and innovation within clinical services. The role requires flexibility for travel and out-of-hour support, with an emphasis on championing organisational values and fostering workforce development.

Qualifications

• GMC-registered medical practitioner with license to practice.
• Experience at CMO/Medical Director level in urgent care or NHS.
• Strong influencing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic clinical leadership to the Board.
• Ensure patient safety and clinical quality.
• Lead clinical services and manage the clinical budget.

Skills

Senior medical leadership

Clinical governance

Risk management

Patient safety

Communication skills

Service innovation

Education

MBBS or equivalent

Postgraduate medical qualification

GMC registration

Level 4 safeguarding training

Job description

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.

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.

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.