Head of Medical Policy

Vitality Corporate Services Limited; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health company is seeking a Senior Leader in Medical Affairs to enhance operational performance and provide technical guidance. The role demands expertise in evidence-based medicine, communication, and the ability to influence stakeholders. Competitive salary and benefits package, including bonuses and a strong pension scheme are offered.

Benefits

Bonus Schemes

Pension matching up to 12%

Vitality health insurance

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Active medical registration or recognition as Public Health Consultant.
• Minimum 5 years’ healthcare experience, including 2 years in a non-patient-facing role.
• Proven experience with evidence-based medical practices.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational performance in Medical Affairs.
• Influence and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Translate complex clinical concepts into accessible messaging.

Skills

Evidence-based medicine

Critical appraisal

Epidemiology

Public health

Planning and organisational skills

Data-driven mindset

Education

Postgraduate medical qualification

Job description

About The Role
Team –Clinical & Claims
Working Pattern - Hybrid – 2days per week in either the Vitality London or Bournemouth Offices.Full time hours.
We are happy to discuss flexible working!

Top 3 skills needed for this role:

• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based medicine, critical appraisal, epidemiology, and/or public health.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively across short- and long-term objectives, and a track record of successful cross-functional collaboration.
• Data-driven mindset with a strong interest in tracking and measuring performance and outcomes.

What this role is all about:
This senior leadership role spans the Vitality Health directorate, with responsibility for driving operational performance in Medical Affairs and providing technical leadership to Medical Underwriting. You will contribute to profitability targets through data-driven, clinically sound decision-making.
You will apply advanced clinical and analytical expertise to interpret complex claims data and evidence, ensuring timely, balanced outcomes. Strong communication skills are essential to influence stakeholders and represent Vitality Health externally with authority and clarity.
A solid foundation in health economics, cost-benefit analysis, and business case development is required,along with a proven ability to influence and navigate effectively within a matrixed environment.

Key Actions

• 
  Promote evidence-based medicine and cost-effectiveness by encouraging thoughtful, balanced decision-making that reflects both clinical insight and commercial awareness.
  
• Influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders on critical issues by leveraging clinical evidence and strategic relationships.
• Oversee the creation, development, and management of claims guidelines that are clear, effective, and easily understood by both customers and staff.
• Represent Vitality Health in external forums and industry bodies (e.g., ABI, CQC, CCSD, PHIN), supporting broader healthcare developments and policy engagement.
• Serve as a member of the Group Clinical Executive Committee and deputise for the Chief Medical Officer when required.
• Support customer-facing teams by translating complex clinical concepts into clear, accessible messaging.
• Provide subject matter expertise for technical documents requiring evidence analysis and interpretation.
• Drive the organisation’s shift toward outcomes-based healthcare by contributing to strategy and implementation.
• Collaborate with teams to design, deliver, and evaluate pilot initiatives that test innovative healthcare approaches.
• Act as a clinical lead on strategic projects, developing policy positions and implementation plans on priority areas.

What do you need to thrive?

• Active medical registration with the GMC, or registration as a Public Health Consultant with the UKPHR, or a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a role with comparable responsibilities.
• At least one postgraduate medical qualification or membership of a recognised professional medical body.
• Minimum of 5 years’ healthcare experience, including at least 2 years in a non-patient-facing role with transferable skills.
• Proven experience implementing evidence-based medical practices in clinical or commercial settings.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly to a wide range of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with advances in health policy and relevant disciplines.
• Flexible, resilient, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Previous experience managing people or teams, with demonstrable success.

So, what’s in it for you?

• Bonus Schemes – A bonus that regularly rewards you for your performance
• A pension of up to 12%– We will match your contributions up to 6% of your salary
• Our award-winning Vitality health insurance – With its own set of rewards and benefits
• Life Assurance – Four times annual salary

These are just some of the many perks that we offer! To view the extensive range of benefits we offer, please visit our careers page.Fantastic Benefits. Exciting rewards. Great career opportunities!
If you are successfulin your application and join us at Vitality, this is our promise to you, we will:

• Help you to be the healthiest you’ve ever been.
• Create an environment that embraces you as you are and enables you to be your best self.
• Give you flexibility on how, where and when you work.
• Help you advance your career by playing you to your strengths.
• Give you a voice to help our business grow and make Vitality a great place to be.
• Give you the space to try, fail and learn.
• Provide a healthy balance of challenge and support.
• Recognise and reward you with a competitive salary and amazing benefits.
• Be there for you when you need us.
• Provide opportunities for you to be a force for good in society.

We commit to all these things because we want you to feel that you belong, and are supported to be happy and healthy.

About The Company
We're really excited to announce that we have recently been awarded "Top 10 Best Places To Work" in The Sunday Times Awards 2024!

If we are fortunate in receiving a high volume of quality applications we may need to close this vacancy early.