Chief Medical Officer

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a transformative Chief Medical Officer to lead the future of healthcare. This pivotal role requires bold leadership and a commitment to clinical excellence, driving change and fostering a culture of inclusivity. You will collaborate with a high-performing Executive Team, shaping strategic vision and ensuring quality care delivery. Join a Trust that values diversity and innovation, where your contributions will leave a lasting legacy in the healthcare system. If you're ready to make a difference and lead with authenticity, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Professional Development Opportunities

Inclusive Work Environment

Access to World-Class Teaching Facilities

Qualifications

• Medically qualified with full GMC registration and NHS consultant status.
• Significant experience in senior medical leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the medical workforce with clarity and compassion.
• Champion modern medical management practices.
• Shape and deliver the Trust's clinical strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical Governance

Communication Skills

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Education

Medical Degree

Management or Leadership Qualification

Job description

Job summary

We're not just looking to fill a vacancy--we're looking for someone who sees the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in a Trust that's ambitious, collaborative, and ready for its next chapter. With the retirement of our current Chief Medical Officer, we're entering a new phase--one that calls for bold leadership, fresh thinking, and a deep commitment to clinical excellence.

This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives on challenge and change. You'll bring your experience, insight, and courage to help us build on what's working and improve what isn't. You'll be a key driver of our transformation journey--ensuring that our ambition to deliver excellent care with compassion is not just sustained but accelerated.

You'll join a high-performing, values-driven Executive Team where your strategic and operational expertise will be both respected and relied upon. As a full member of the Trust Board, you'll share collective responsibility for our decisions and be the principal source of professional medical advice--across medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry. Your leadership will help shape a culture where clinical voices are central to strategy, innovation, and delivery.

You can find out all you need to know at our dedicated microsite and hear from our Chief Executive: https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/chief-medical-officer

The interviews will take place mid-June 2025

Main duties of the job

You'll lead the medical workforce with clarity and compassion, ensuring we continue to attract, support, and retain outstanding clinicians. You'll champion modern medical management practices--like e-job planning, digital rostering, and meaningful appraisal--and ensure our systems and culture support high-quality, safe, and inclusive care.

You will also play a key role in system leadership across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS), working collaboratively with partners to redesign clinical models of care, improve population health outcomes, and support the shift from treatment to prevention and from acute to community-based care.

As a full voting member of the Board, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Trust's strategic vision, driving transformation, and fostering a culture of inclusivity, learning, and excellence.

This is a rare opportunity to leave a legacy--not just in the organisation, but in the wider system. You'll play a leading role in shaping integrated care across Lancashire and South Cumbria, working with partners to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities.

We're a Trust that values curiosity, challenge, and difference. We don't expect everyone to agree all the time--but we do expect respectful debate, shared purpose, and a relentless focus on what's best for our patients and staff. Your ability to build trust, navigate complexity, and lead with authenticity will be key.

About us

We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever roles our colleagues undertake, we all look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Our world-class teaching facilities and award-winning education teams are growing the healthcare workforce of the future, supporting every member of our teams to develop and flourish.

We are proud to be in inclusive organisation, that values diversity and promotes equity. We genuinely welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to supporting flexible working and professional development. We are passionate about creating a culture where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We know this advert can only say so much. If you're curious, ambitious, and ready to make a difference, we'd love to talk. For an informal conversation please contact one of the following:

Sarah Morrison our Chief Nursing Officer/Deputy Chief Executive, at [e-mail]

Gerry Skailes our current Chief Medical Officer at [e-mail]

Neil Pease our Chief People Officer at [e-mail]

Applications for this role will be through our dedicated TRAC recruitment system where you will complete some key information, using the Supporting Information section to write a personal statement to support your application and also attach your CV.

Details Date posted

10 May 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Competitive salary to attract the best candidate

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

PB3075

Job locations

Royal Preston Hospital

Preston

PR29HT

Job description Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & System Collaboration

• Lead the development and delivery of the Trusts clinical strategy, aligned with ICS and national NHS priorities.
• Lead the Trusts research and innovation strategy and support the development of research and medical education across the Trust and system
• Act as a system leader, working with ICBs, local authorities, provider collaboratives, and public health to deliver integrated, equitable, and sustainable care.
• Champion the Trusts contribution to the Acute Services Transformation Blueprint and wider system redesign.
• Shape and influence regional and national policy through active engagement with NHS England, regulators, and professional bodies.

Clinical Governance & Quality

• Serve as the Responsible Officer operating consistently with GMC requirements for medical revalidation, medical performance and disciplinary matters.
• Work in partnership with the Chief Nursing Officer to ensure good clinical governance processes are enacted including but not limited to patient safety safeguarding, infection prevention and control and regulatory compliance(e.g. CQC, GMC).
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning from incidents, mortality reviews, and patient feedback.
• Lead the Trusts clinical effectiveness, mortality and morbidity, medical examiner services, audit and research strategies, ensuring evidence-based practice and innovation.
• Through the line management of the Chief Pharmacist ensure robust medication management.
• Through the professional line management of the radiation lead, ensure robust radiation management.
• Ensure robust arrangements are in place for all clinical services in line with regulatory expectations.

Medical, Dental, Pharmacy Psychology, Medical Associate Professional and Healthcare Scientist Workforce Leadership

• Provide visible, compassionate leadership to the medical, dental, psychology, pharmacy, medical associate professional and healthcare scientist workforce.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, job planning, appraisal, and professional development.
• Promote high standards of conduct, performance, and wellbeing, ensuring a just and inclusive culture.
• Support the development of clinical leaders and succession planning across the Trust.
• Work with the Chief People Officer to ensure that we maintain educational approval for medical student and junior doctor training and support the development of locally employed doctors.

Digital, Data & Innovation

• Working with the Chief Clinical Information Officer, act as the clinical lead for digital transformation, including EPR implementation, data-driven decision-making, and AI adoption.
• Serve as Caldicott Guardian, ensuring robust information governance and ethical data use.
• Champion the use of digital tools to improve patient outcomes, reduce variation, and enhance clinical productivity.

Operational & Corporate Leadership

• Work with executive colleagues to ensure safe, effective, and financially sustainable service delivery.
• Contribute to corporate governance, strategic planning, and performance management as a member of the Unitary Board.
• Participate in the Executive On-Call rota and represent the Trust at regional and national forums.
• Lead on clinical input into capital planning, estates development, and service reconfiguration.

Job description Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & System Collaboration

• Lead the development and delivery of the Trusts clinical strategy, aligned with ICS and national NHS priorities.
• Lead the Trusts research and innovation strategy and support the development of research and medical education across the Trust and system
• Act as a system leader, working with ICBs, local authorities, provider collaboratives, and public health to deliver integrated, equitable, and sustainable care.
• Champion the Trusts contribution to the Acute Services Transformation Blueprint and wider system redesign.
• Shape and influence regional and national policy through active engagement with NHS England, regulators, and professional bodies.

Clinical Governance & Quality

• Serve as the Responsible Officer operating consistently with GMC requirements for medical revalidation, medical performance and disciplinary matters.
• Work in partnership with the Chief Nursing Officer to ensure good clinical governance processes are enacted including but not limited to patient safety safeguarding, infection prevention and control and regulatory compliance(e.g. CQC, GMC).
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning from incidents, mortality reviews, and patient feedback.
• Lead the Trusts clinical effectiveness, mortality and morbidity, medical examiner services, audit and research strategies, ensuring evidence-based practice and innovation.
• Through the line management of the Chief Pharmacist ensure robust medication management.
• Through the professional line management of the radiation lead, ensure robust radiation management.
• Ensure robust arrangements are in place for all clinical services in line with regulatory expectations.

Medical, Dental, Pharmacy Psychology, Medical Associate Professional and Healthcare Scientist Workforce Leadership

• Provide visible, compassionate leadership to the medical, dental, psychology, pharmacy, medical associate professional and healthcare scientist workforce.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, job planning, appraisal, and professional development.
• Promote high standards of conduct, performance, and wellbeing, ensuring a just and inclusive culture.
• Support the development of clinical leaders and succession planning across the Trust.
• Work with the Chief People Officer to ensure that we maintain educational approval for medical student and junior doctor training and support the development of locally employed doctors.

Digital, Data & Innovation

• Working with the Chief Clinical Information Officer, act as the clinical lead for digital transformation, including EPR implementation, data-driven decision-making, and AI adoption.
• Serve as Caldicott Guardian, ensuring robust information governance and ethical data use.
• Champion the use of digital tools to improve patient outcomes, reduce variation, and enhance clinical productivity.

Operational & Corporate Leadership

• Work with executive colleagues to ensure safe, effective, and financially sustainable service delivery.
• Contribute to corporate governance, strategic planning, and performance management as a member of the Unitary Board.
• Participate in the Executive On-Call rota and represent the Trust at regional and national forums.
• Lead on clinical input into capital planning, estates development, and service reconfiguration.

Person Specification Education Essential

• oMedically qualified with full GMC registration and NHS consultant status (or equivalent).
• oSignificant experience in a senior medical leadership role within a complex healthcare organisation.
• oProven track record of delivering clinical transformation, quality improvement, research and workforce development.
• oDeep understanding of clinical governance, system working, and NHS policy.
• oStrong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• oDemonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• oExperience of working across organisational boundaries and in partnership with external stakeholders.

Desirable

• oManagement or leadership qualification (e.g. MBA, NHS Leadership Academy).
• oExperience in digital health, research leadership, or cross-sector collaboration.
• oExperience of leading through major change, including service redesign or hospital redevelopment.
• oUnderstanding of population health management and health inequalities.

Person Specification Education Essential

• oMedically qualified with full GMC registration and NHS consultant status (or equivalent).
• oSignificant experience in a senior medical leadership role within a complex healthcare organisation.
• oProven track record of delivering clinical transformation, quality improvement, research and workforce development.
• oDeep understanding of clinical governance, system working, and NHS policy.
• oStrong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
• oDemonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• oExperience of working across organisational boundaries and in partnership with external stakeholders.

Desirable

• oManagement or leadership qualification (e.g. MBA, NHS Leadership Academy).
• oExperience in digital health, research leadership, or cross-sector collaboration.
• oExperience of leading through major change, including service redesign or hospital redevelopment.
• oUnderstanding of population health management and health inequalities.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Preston Hospital

Preston

PR29HT

Employer's website

https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Preston Hospital

Preston

PR29HT

Employer's website

https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)