Job summary
At Surrey and Sussex, we are forming a fundamentally different kind of organisation. As a strategic commissioner, our purpose is not merely to oversee services but to reshape the health and care system in active partnership--improving outcomes, tackling inequalities, delivering better value, and building long-term resilience for our populations.
NHS Surrey Heartlands and NHS Sussex share a proud history of collaboration--grounded in mutual trust, aligned values, and joint delivery across commissioning, workforce, and clinical innovation. From integrated planning to shared leadership development, we have demonstrated what purposeful collaboration can achieve. We now have the opportunity to build on that legacy--deepening coherence, unlocking capability, and forming a single, agile organisation with a clear identity and system leadership role.
Main duties of the job
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is the Statutory Responsible Officer who supports the achievement of the ICBs core purposes and provides strategic leadership of all activities within their portfolio. The focus will be on their influential executive role and shared accountability for the development and delivery of the clinical strategy of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), ensuring this reflects and integrates the clinical strategies of all relevant partner organisations within the System.
The Chief Medical Officer together with the Chief Nursing Officer are accountable for all matters relating to the relevant professional colleagues across the clinical and care workforce employed by the ICB and wider system. They will be accountable for securing multi-professional clinical and care leadership in delivery of the ICB's objectives and form part of the wider network of clinical and care leaders in the region and nationally.
About us
We have an ambitious vision for transformation and continuous improvement of health and care across our footprint and to deliver our objectives we need a team of capable, collaborative professionals who share the same vision. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes. We welcome all applications, especially those from underrepresented communities, including people with a disability, and those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details for this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details for this vacancy.
Person Specification
Personal Values
Essential
- Commitment to the principles of public life, NHS values, the NHS People Plan, Nolan principles and the Fit and Proper Persons regime
- Compassionate, people-centred leadership style
- Lives openness and integrity, creating cultures where these thrive
- Collaborative approach across organisational and sector boundaries
- Personally driven, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Medical practitioner with a registered body (GMC)
- Evidence of sustained personal & professional development
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial board or system leadership health care experience including a minimum of 3 years at a Senior level with a demonstrable track record of success in a large and complex NHS organisation
- A proven track record of driving improvements in performance and standards of care and delivering change within an organisation.
- Experience in dealing with the complex field of litigation, regulation & improvement
- Experience in the management of complex projects
- Experience of successfully operating in and delivering priorities in a partnership environment.
- Significant experience in leading and developing strategy across multiple partners and stakeholders, achieving consensus and managing successful delivery
- Significant experience in performance management approaches including analysis of data and performance reporting
- Substantial experience of providing board level and/or system leadership within a regulatory environment and across complex systems with demonstrable impact
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth understanding of the NHS and social care workforce and an ability to develop capability within the ICS.
- Demonstrable understanding of strategic commissioning, oversight and control of public funds
Skills
Essential
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, building confidence across communities, clinicians, politicians and partners
- Strong critical thinking and strategic problem-solving, anticipating and framing complex issues
- Advanced data-literacy and analytical capability, converting insights into strategic decisions
- Ability to provide effective clinical leadership, mentorship and professional development at a very senor level.
- Ability to manage highly sensitive situations with stakeholders and manage relationships with the media.
Person Specification
Personal Values
Essential
- Commitment to the principles of public life, NHS values, the NHS People Plan, Nolan principles and the Fit and Proper Persons regime
- Compassionate, people-centred leadership style
- Lives openness and integrity, creating cultures where these thrive
- Collaborative approach across organisational and sector boundaries
- Personally driven, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Medical practitioner with a registered body (GMC)
- Evidence of sustained personal & professional development
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial board or system leadership health care experience including a minimum of 3 years at a Senior level with a demonstrable track record of success in a large and complex NHS organisation
- A proven track record of driving improvements in performance and standards of care and delivering change within an organisation.
- Experience in dealing with the complex field of litigation, regulation & improvement
- Experience in the management of complex projects
- Experience of successfully operating in and delivering priorities in a partnership environment.
- Significant experience in leading and developing strategy across multiple partners and stakeholders, achieving consensus and managing successful delivery
- Significant experience in performance management approaches including analysis of data and performance reporting
- Substantial experience of providing board level and/or system leadership within a regulatory environment and across complex systems with demonstrable impact
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth understanding of the NHS and social care workforce and an ability to develop capability within the ICS.
- Demonstrable understanding of strategic commissioning, oversight and control of public funds
Skills
Essential
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, building confidence across communities, clinicians, politicians and partners
- Strong critical thinking and strategic problem-solving, anticipating and framing complex issues
- Advanced data-literacy and analytical capability, converting insights into strategic decisions
- Ability to provide effective clinical leadership, mentorship and professional development at a very senor level.
- Ability to manage highly sensitive situations with stakeholders and manage relationships with the media.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Surrey Heartlands ICB
Address
Dukes Court
Dukes Street
Woking
GU21 5BH