Medical Director

The Air Ambulance Service; Rugby; On-site; Confidential; Part time

Job summary

The Air Ambulance Service is seeking an exceptional Medical Director to provide strategic clinical leadership, governance and operational medical oversight. You will lead the clinical vision, support a high standard of patient care, and offer trusted clinical guidance at Board level while remaining connected to frontline as an operational HEMS flight doctor.

You will work with the Chief Operating Officer, clinicians and Trustees to ensure clinical services continually innovate and deliver

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration required.
• Significant senior clinical leadership experience.
• Experience delivering clinical or departmental strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical strategy and governance for TAAS.
• Provide authoritative clinical advice to Trustees and senior leaders.
• Oversee medical appraisal and revalidation with GMC.
• Develop sustainable clinical workforce and education frameworks.
• Build strong clinical networks and external partnerships.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and safety in operations.

Skills

Senior clinical leadership

Strategic thinking

Governance and quality

Board-level advisory

Medical appraisal and revalidation

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Job Title:

Medical Director

Department:

Operations

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type:

Contractor

Remuneration:

Circa £150,000 pro rata

Shape the future of clinical excellence at The Air Ambulance Service

The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) is looking for an exceptional Medical Director to provide strategic clinical leadership and help shape the future of our lifesaving services.

This influential role combines clinical strategy, governance, operational medicine and organisational leadership. You will lead our clinical vision, champion the highest standards of patient care and provide trusted clinical advice at Board level, while remaining connected to frontline delivery as an operational HEMS flight doctor.

You will work alongside the Chief Operating Officer, operational leaders, clinicians and Trustees to ensure our clinical services continue to develop, innovate and deliver outstanding care.

The opportunity

As Medical Director, you will hold senior responsibility and accountability for the development and delivery of our clinical strategy and Clinical Governance Framework.

You will provide professional leadership across our medical directorate, lead our Deputy Medical Directors and wider doctor team, and create an environment where clinical excellence, learning and continuous improvement are embedded.

As TAAS’ Responsible Officer, you will fulfil statutory responsibilities for medical appraisal and revalidation, working closely with doctors, appraisers and the General Medical Council.

You will also build strong clinical networks across the pre-hospital and hospital sectors, represent TAAS externally and strengthen our profile through collaboration and the sharing of expertise.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Clinical strategy and leadership - developing and delivering our clinical strategy to support high-quality patient care and TAAS’ wider ambitions.
• Clinical governance and quality - leading a robust Clinical Governance Framework and driving continuous improvement in clinical standards, skills, equipment, education and resources.
• Board-level leadership - providing authoritative clinical advice to Trustees and senior leaders and strengthening the connection between clinicians and the Board.
• Responsible Officer duties - overseeing medical appraisal and revalidation and maintaining effective liaison with the GMC.
• Clinical risk and assurance - managing strategic clinical risks, overseeing responses to serious incidents and ensuring learning and appropriate mitigations are embedded.
• Regulatory compliance - ensuring clinical operations meet relevant statutory, professional and regulatory requirements.
• Medical workforce leadership - leading the Deputy Medical Directors and doctor team and developing a sustainable long-term workforce and succession plan.
• Clinical development - supporting the continued development of paramedics and critical care paramedics through effective education, development frameworks and CPD.
• Partnerships and influence - developing strong relationships with healthcare partners and other key stakeholders across the East and West Midlands and beyond.
• Clinical policy and expertise - contributing expert clinical advice to policies, procedures, organisational reviews and legal or coronial matters.
• Operational practice - maintaining the required competencies to practise as an operational HEMS flight doctor.

You will also attend quarterly Board meetings and annual Trustee and Executive Leadership Team strategy sessions, contributing to the wider leadership and future direction of the charity.

About You

We are looking for an accomplished and credible medical leader who combines clinical expertise with strategic thinking, strong governance and the ability to inspire and influence others.

You will bring:

• Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
• Significant senior clinical leadership experience.
• A successful track record of developing and delivering clinical or departmental strategy.
• Experience leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance, quality, risk and regulatory compliance.
• The credibility and communication skills to advise, challenge and influence at Board and senior leadership level.
• Experience providing training, support and professional advice across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
• Experience of high-level reporting and developing clear, evidence-based recommendations and business cases.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, balancing operational priorities with long-term strategic objectives.
• An agile and flexible leadership style.
• A genuine passion for the work and purpose of TAAS.
• Strategic-level experience within the charity sector would be particularly valuable.

Leadership at TAAS

This role is about more than clinical expertise. You will help create and sustain a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture, role modelling TAAS’ values and leadership behaviours.

You will also have leadership responsibilities across Health & Safety and Environment, Safeguarding, Data Protection, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Quality, raising and escalating concerns or opportunities for improvement where appropriate.

Why join The Air Ambulance Service?

This is an opportunity to use your medical expertise and leadership experience in an organisation where clinical decisions have a direct and meaningful impact.

You will influence clinical strategy at the highest level, develop the clinicians and services of the future, strengthen partnerships across the healthcare system and help ensure TAAS continues to deliver safe, innovative and exceptional care.

If you are an experienced medical leader who combines clinical credibility, strategic vision and a commitment to continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.

The role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Our commitment

TAAS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating an environment where everyone is respected. Recruitment, employment and development decisions are based on qualifications, experience and competency.

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Everyone working on behalf of TAAS has a responsibility for safeguarding and will be expected to complete relevant training and report any concerns. Our safer recruitment process supports this commitment.

• We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the stated closing date should we receive sufficient suitable applications.