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.
Please not this role also comes with a responsibility allowance of £35,000 per annum
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.
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.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Key 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.
The successful candidate will receive a responsibility allowance in addition to their basic salary.
Please contact Brenda Carter on
[email protected] if you have any questions and queries.
Proposed interview date: 12th August 2026
This vacancy closes on or before 2nd August 2026
