Head of Office (Chief Medical Officer) (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds & London) [...]

Genomics England is a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, focused on creating a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project, we support the NHS’s world-first national whole genome sequencing service and run the growing National Genomic Research Library, alongside delivering numerous major genomics initiatives. By connecting research and clinical care at national scale, we enable immediate healthcare benefits and advances for the future. Our mission is to provide the evidence and digital systems so that by 2035 genomics could play a role in up to half of all healthcare interactions, whilst securing the UK’s position as the best place to discover, prove and benefit from genomic innovations.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody. Behind the Healthcare and Research outcomes, Genomics England delivers through designing, developing and operating complex healthcare software systems. We’re on the cusp of big changes with the real prospect of genomics becoming the fabric of everyday healthcare through the lifetime – from birth to old age.

We are looking for a Head of Office to provide strategic and operational support to the Chief Medical Officer, helping them navigate a complex and fast moving portfolio with confidence. As a trusted adviser, you will coordinate the full range of CMO activity, ensuring priorities are clear, aligned, and delivered smoothly. This will include supporting governance, analytics, reporting, and briefings to enable informed decision-making and accountability. You will also play a key role in building connections and coordinating engagement with internal and external stakeholders, where relationships are led by the CMO. Through your work, you will help strengthen collaboration across teams and ensure consistent, coherent engagement across the organisation.

Please note the successful candidate will be required to be based in our Canary Wharf office 3 days per week.

Everyday responsibilities include:

• Lead the running of the CMO’s office, working with their Executive Assistant to ensure the schedule runs to time, agendas are set, briefings are provided on time, and lead the commissioning and creation of materials for the CMO’s communications.
• Provide advice and report into the CMO drawing on management information, Objectives and Key Results, and broader company data to ensure focus on company priorities across the services reporting into the CMO.
• Support and drive cross-service improvement initiatives and change management, working closely with the Service Owners and their teams within the services that report into the CMO, ensuring alignment, connection, and timely delivery, and supporting organisational change by identifying gaps and needs.
• Create, prepare, and distribute high-quality and insightful documents (such as briefing packs, board papers, project reports) for the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board, and other governance forums, and facilitate the sharing of best practice across the CMO portfolio.
• Act as a key interface with the CEO Office, CTPO office and other senior stakeholders internally, managing asks, dependencies, and communications for the CMO.
• Lead community development across the Science and Clinical directorate, including planning and preparing for All Hands calls, Away Days, and other engagement activities, and ensuring regular communications and celebration of successes.
• Provide a contact point and focus for interactions with external stakeholders where the relationship is primarily managed by the CMO, ensuring the right frequency of contact, agenda-setting and creation of opportunities to address any issues.

Skills and experience for success:

• Background in life sciences (for example post-doctoral research or laboratory operations) or in related sectors such as the public sector, charities, or pharmaceutical organisations.
• Organised and thoughtful in approach, with strong attention to detail and the ability to structure complex information clearly.
• Communicates clearly and confidently in writing and in person, including producing high-quality presentations and briefings for a range of audiences.
• A collaborative and considerate team member who can build trust, influence positively, and make a difference without needing direct line management or delivery ownership.
• Open to learning and growth, adaptable in a changing environment, and motivated by developing new skills and ways of working.
• Brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact across the life sciences ecosystem.

Qualifications:

• PhD in life sciences preferably OR Master’s level considered with relevant skills or experience.

Additional Information:

• Salary from: £54,000

Please provide a cover letter explaining how your skills and experience align with this role and its requirements. Closing date for applications - Wednesday 11th February.

Being an integral part of such a meaningful mission is extremely rewarding in itself, but in order to support our people, we’re continually improving our benefits package. We pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career goals, as well as offering a benefits package including:

• Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, additional leave for long service, and the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
• Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
• Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), and a Give As You Earn scheme.
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
• Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.

Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace:

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor. Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour undermines our mission and core values and diminishes the dignity, respect and integrity of all parties. Our People policies outline our commitment to inclusivity. We aim to remove barriers in our recruitment processes and to be flexible with our interview processes. Should you require any adjustments that may help you to fully participate in the recruitment process, we encourage you to discuss this with us.