University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Chief Medical Officer (interim)
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Job Title: Chief Medical Officer (interim)
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Purpose for Fixed Term: Limited Term Project
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
The Chief Medical Officer is responsible to the Chief Executive and Trust Board for professional leadership of the medical workforce and for promoting high quality patient care, clinical effectiveness, education, research and innovation.
We are seeking an interim appointment to this role for 6 months, whilst we recruit to the position on a substantive basis.
Applicants should hold full GMC registration, possess significant Board-level leadership experience within complex healthcare environments and demonstrate a track record of clinical strategy delivery, governance leadership, research and education leadership, system working, workforce transformation and inclusive leadership.
Working for our organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
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Key Responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Professional leadership of all medical staff.
- Joint executive accountability for clinical governance with the Chief Nurse.
- Leadership of clinical effectiveness, outcomes and quality improvement.
- Responsible Officer for Medical Revalidation.
- Leadership of medical workforce strategy and talent development.
- Leadership of research, innovation and academic partnerships.
- Contribution to Trust and system strategy.
- Visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership.
- Championing equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Development of future clinical leaders.
- Representation of UHS regionally and nationally
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.
It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003.
Proposed interview date: week commencing 10th August 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 2nd August 2026
Person specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential criteria
- Master’s degree, equivalent postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience
- Full active registration with the General Medical Council
- Significant senior clinical and managerial leadership experience working at or near Board level in the NHS in a complex operating environment
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
- Track record of developing and implementing clinical strategies, plans, policies and procedures with well-developed clinical governance experience
- Track record of delivering high-quality outcomes and positive patient experience
- Proven personal and professional credibility with Board-level stakeholders, management teams, clinical and non-clinical staff, patients, the public and academic partners
- Experience of developing new multi-disciplinary models of care and implementing service redesign and innovation within and across organisational boundaries
- Experience of managing performance and conduct issues relating to medical staff
- Experience of public engagement and consultation over proposals for significant service change
- Experience of media handling and public relations
- Understanding of medical workforce, medical education, research and clinical effectiveness requirements relevant to a large NHS teaching hospital
- Ability to support delivery of Trust strategy, corporate objectives, responsible officer duties and executive-level governance responsibilities
- Knowledge of NHS financial regime and experience of managing budgets and spending programmes
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Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a teaching hospital environment with exposure to research and development activity
- Experience of leading or sponsoring major clinical, research, education, workforce or service transformation programmes
- Experience of building productive relationships with universities, Royal Colleges, regulators, medical unions, NHS England regional teams and Integrated Care System partners
- Experience of leading or supporting renewal, growth or assurance of major research facilities, networks or partnerships
- Experience as an executive champion for inclusion, staff networks, sustainability or other cross-cutting corporate priorities
Aptitudes and skills
Essential criteria
- Actively seeks, establishes and develops effective working relationships with key stakeholders
- Visible commitment to compassionate, inclusive and values-led leadership
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, belonging and reducing workforce and health inequalities
- Ability to represent the Trust credibly with the public, media, regulators, academic partners and system stakeholders
- Contributes effectively to Board working, organisational governance, risk management and assurance
- Monitors compliance with legal, ethical, social and environmental requirements
- Able to analyse, interpret and present complex data clearly for Board, executive and clinical audiences
Living Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
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