Job summary
- Main area
- Medical
- Grade
- VSM
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job ref
- 432-HR662-26
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ipswich/Colchester
- Town
- Ipswich/Colchester
- Salary
- Dependant on experience
- Closing
- 02/09/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 28/09/2026
Employer heading
Chief Medical Officer
VSM
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job overview
We are seeking an exceptional Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to join our Executive Team and Trust Board as a full voting member. This is a unique opportunity for an outstanding clinician and inclusive leader to help shape the future of our organisation, provide strategic leadership to our medical workforce, and deliver our vision for patients and communities.
As a key member of the Executive Team, you will lead improvements in quality, safety, innovation, and clinical excellence, ensuring the highest standards of patient care while supporting the Trust's ongoing transformation and long-term success.
You will inspire clinical teams, champion innovative models of care, and work collaboratively with health, social care, and community partners to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities. The role also offers significant system leadership opportunities, developing strategic partnerships and shaping services across our communities.
Main duties of the job
Whether you are an experienced Medical Director seeking your next executive challenge or a senior clinical leader ready for your first Board-level appointment, you will bring:
- A strong leadership track record in a complex healthcare environment.
- A demonstrable commitment to putting patients first.
- A clear vision for high-quality, innovative clinical service delivery
- Credibility and influence across professional groups.
- A commitment to inclusive leadership and cultural change.
- The ability to embed organisational values and create an environment where colleagues can thrive.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Trust at a pivotal stage in its development, working alongside an ambitious and supportive Executive Team and Board to drive sustainable improvement and innovation.
We are committed to increasing Board diversity and particularly welcome applications from individuals currently underrepresented at Board level.
If your ambition matches ours, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The standard Trac process does not apply, Please send your CV and covering letter to: [email protected]
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information and a full job description for the role please view the attached CMO applicant pack
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understands the strategic direction of the local and regional health economy.
- In depth understanding of CQC, NICE, NHS England regulations
- Expertise in medical revalidation and its importance for upholding public confidence
- A track record of leading service improvement in a complex environment and working collaboratively across systems
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Dr or Dentist with full professional registration with GMC/GDC
- Relevant Postgraduate qualification
- Evidence of CPD
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience as a medical leader within a large NHS provider
- Experience and strategic understanding of Integrated Care Systems and the forward health care economy.
- Experience in a range of health organisations.
Desirable criteria
- Significant executive director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Jones
- Job title
- Executive Assistant
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07564055697
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