Job summary
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: Michelle.keable@esneft.nhs.uk

About us
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

Details
Date posted
13 August 2026

Pay scheme
Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary
Depending on experience
Dependant on experience

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time

Reference number
432-HR662-26

Job locations
Ipswich/Colchester
Ipswich/Colchester
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For further information and a full job description for the role please view the attached CMO applicant pack

Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• 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

• Dr or Dentist with full professional registration with GMC/GDC
• Relevant Postgraduate qualification
• Evidence of CPD

Experience
Essential

• 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

• Significant executive director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address
Ipswich/Colchester
Ipswich/Colchester
IP4 5PD
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Executive Assistant
Sarah Jones
sarah.jones3@esneft.nhs.uk
07564055697

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).