Interim Chief Medical Officer

Interim Chief Medical Officer

Full-Time 100200 - 133800 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Celsus Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead clinical strategy and governance while ensuring high-quality urgent care services.
  • Company: Join a leading Social Enterprise focused on impactful healthcare delivery.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, paid GMC fees, and access to national NHS networks.
  • Other info: Immediate start available; dynamic role with potential for extension.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of urgent care and make a real difference in patient safety.
  • Qualifications: GMC-registered medical practitioner with senior leadership experience in urgent care.

The predicted salary is between 100200 - 133800 £ per year.

We are partnering with a leading Social Enterprise responsible for delivering high‑quality urgent and unscheduled care services. We are seeking an exceptional Interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to provide immediate strategic and operational clinical leadership for an initial 4–6 month assignment, with the potential for extension. This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior medical leader to step into a highly influential role, maintaining stability, strengthening clinical governance, and supporting service transformation during a critical transition period.

The Opportunity: As the organisation’s most senior clinical leader, the Interim CMO will shape the clinical vision, uphold the highest quality standards, and provide expert guidance to the Executive Board and CEO. You will play a vital role in ensuring the ongoing safety, responsiveness, and effectiveness of services while leading and supporting a broad clinical workforce. The organisation is seeking someone who can start as soon as possible to ensure continuity of leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Leadership & Governance: Lead the delivery of the annual clinical strategy and uphold clinical governance standards. Provide regular assurance to the Board on quality, patient safety, and clinical performance. Oversee learning from serious incidents, complaints, and audits. Ensure full compliance with CQC, safeguarding, NHS England, and statutory regulations.
  • Operational & Workforce Leadership: Act as the overall clinical lead across all services during the interim period. Provide visible leadership to GPs, Nurses, Paramedics, Dentists, and Allied Health Professionals. Lead workforce performance management, training, medical education, and development programmes. Support recruitment, retention, and workforce resilience initiatives.
  • External Partnerships & System Influence: Build and maintain effective relationships with ICBs, regulators, professional bodies, and system partners. Represent the organisation at regional and national forums. Act as Caldicott Guardian and Local Medical Committee liaison.
  • Service Quality & Innovation: Lead monitoring and review of clinical workforce performance. Support the delivery of clinical KPIs across all service contracts. Drive innovation, service transformation, and integrated care development. Contribute to commercial and service integration opportunities.

What We’re Looking For:

Essential Qualifications: GMC‑registered medical practitioner (GP or Specialist Register). Inclusion on NHS England’s Performers List (GP). Level 4 Safeguarding training. Senior medical leadership experience (e.g., CMO, Medical Director) in urgent care, out‑of‑hours, NHS 111, primary care, or similar. Strong background in clinical governance, patient safety, and quality improvement. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders including Boards, ICBs and regulators. Knowledge of CQC requirements, NHS regulatory frameworks, safeguarding and data protection. Experience in medical education or GP training desirable.

Leadership Attributes: Inclusive, credible, and collaborative leader with the gravitas to inspire multidisciplinary teams. Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills. Strategic thinker with sound judgement, commercial awareness, and resilience. Highly visible, approachable, and committed to organisational values.

Why This Role? Even in an interim capacity, the successful candidate will benefit from access to: Leadership and development opportunities, National and regional NHS networks, Opportunities to shape urgent and integrated care, A values‑driven organisational culture focused on social impact.

Salary, Benefits & Working Environment: Benefits include: Paid GMC fees, Financial wellbeing programmes, Learning and development pathways, Free parking, relaxation areas, and unlimited tea/coffee.

Additional Requirements: Willingness to travel between multiple sites. Participation in the on‑call rota (Director on Call). Eligibility to work in the UK. Availability to start immediately.

How to Apply: We’re keen to speak with senior clinical leaders who can step into this interim role quickly and provide stabilising, strategic leadership from day one. For a confidential discussion or to submit your CV, please get in touch today: 01582 394 801.

Interim Chief Medical Officer employer: Celsus Group

Celsus Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises leadership development and offers a values-driven culture focused on social impact. As the Interim Chief Medical Officer, you will have the opportunity to shape urgent care services while benefiting from a supportive work environment that includes access to national NHS networks, paid GMC fees, and comprehensive wellbeing programmes. With a commitment to employee growth and a collaborative atmosphere, Celsus Group stands out as a rewarding place for senior medical leaders seeking meaningful impact in healthcare.

Celsus Group

Contact Details:

Celsus Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Interim Chief Medical Officer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare sector, especially those who might know someone at Celsus Group. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your clinical governance knowledge and leadership skills. We want you to showcase how you can maintain stability and drive service transformation right from day one!

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!

We think you need these skills to ace Interim Chief Medical Officer

Strategic Leadership
Clinical Governance
Patient Safety
Quality Improvement
Stakeholder Influence
Regulatory Knowledge
Medical Education

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in clinical leadership and governance. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities of the Interim CMO role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing candidates who can articulate their vision for clinical leadership and how they plan to support service transformation.

Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, let us know about your leadership style and how you’ve successfully influenced multidisciplinary teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead effectively, so share those stories!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Celsus Group

Know Your Clinical Governance

As an Interim Chief Medical Officer, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of clinical governance. Brush up on the latest CQC requirements and be ready to discuss how you've upheld quality standards in your previous roles.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

This role requires a credible and collaborative leader. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, especially in multidisciplinary settings. Think about times when you inspired teams or navigated complex challenges.

Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement

You'll be influencing senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your vision clearly. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with ICBs, regulators, and other partners in the past, and how you plan to do this in the new role.

Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

The organisation is looking for someone who can think strategically. Prepare to discuss your approach to developing and implementing clinical strategies, and how you've driven service transformation in previous positions.