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Job overview
We are seeking an outstanding senior clinical leader to become Clinical Director for the Southwest NHS Genomics Medicine Service (SWGMS) — a rare opportunity to shape the future of genomic medicine across one of the largest and most established regional genomics networks in England.
The SWGMS brings together the Genomics Laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust and Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Trust, alongside the Genomics Medicine Service Alliance based in Exeter, serving a population across Gloucestershire to Cornwall and six Integrated Care Boards.
As Clinical Director, you will provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across the service, helping to embed genomics across clinical pathways, drive innovation, support transformation, and ensure high-quality, equitable care for patients across the South West.
This is an exciting role for a practising Consultant in genomic medicine with national credibility, strong system leadership skills and a passion for improving patient care through innovation and collaboration.
The Clinical Director reports to the Southwest NHS Genomics Medicine Service Chief Operating Officer and works closely with senior leaders across the service to set strategic direction and support delivery.
Main duties of the job
As Clinical Director, you will:
- Lead the strategic development of genomic medicine across the South West.
- Drive the mainstreaming of genomic testing across a broad range of clinical specialties.
- Ensure genomic services are safe, effective, equitable and aligned to best practice.
- Work closely with the SWGMS Partnership Board, NHS England Genomics Unit, commissioners and academic partners to deliver national and local priorities.
- Support delivery across the key pillars of Rare Disease, Cancer and Population Health, with scope to expand into pharmacogenomics.
- Champion innovation, research and partnership working to keep the service at the forefront of genomic medicine.
- Lead and support a multi-professional, multi-site workforce across a complex regional service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Clinical Director reports to the Southwest NHS Genomics Medicine Service Chief Operating Officer and works in partnership with senior leaders across the service to set strategic direction and support day-to-day leadership.
You will bring significant expertise in genomic medicine, strong leadership capability, and the confidence to operate at regional and national level. The role includes leadership of clinical governance, service development, workforce development, research and innovation, and close partnership working with colleagues across Bristol, Exeter and the wider South West.
The role is based in Bristol, with travel across the South West, particularly to Exeter.
Person specification
Other
Essential
- Able to travel across multiple sites, particularly Bristol and Exeter
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
- Proven proactive approach to work
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Strategic thinker
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
- Able to lead and motivate others, strong influencing and negotiation skills
- Works in a highly collaborative manner across both site and organisational barriers with colleagues across the GMS and other geography and national partners to ensure effective partnership work.
- Committed people person; empowering, enabling motivating and developing others
- A demonstrable commitment to ensuring equality, celebrating diversity and promoting social inclusion within the SW GMS
- Can constructively challenge and effectively manage conflict to reach a positive conclusion
- Can approach all situations and all working relationships with an open mind and be mindful of different approaches required to build successful working relationships with staff from a variety of backgrounds
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- A leading medical consultant with an understanding of advising on the clinical actionability of complex genomic data up to the level of whole genome sequencing
- Previous senior leadership experience in a clinical genomic service or a major academic genomic research group
- The ability to work collaboratively and to deal with ambiguity and complexity
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, negotiation, conflict management, feedback and partnership working
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Senior clinician or scientist, with a broad understanding of genomics with national leadership experience and credibility
- National leadership experience with international recognition within their own specialist area of genomics
- Experience of developing, applying and reviewing an evidence-based approach to decision making in genomic services
- Experience of chairing multidisciplinary groups
- Knowledge of the genomics clinical and scientific landscape in the NHS and plans for the continued development of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service
- A good understanding of NHS healthcare system, and some understanding of international systems
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent, MRCP or equivalent
- A medical consultant with proven experience of leading, developing and managing a large-scale genomic service
- Able to demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Southwest NHS Genomics Medicine Service – Clinical Director with North Bristol NHS Trust in Bristol, South West, England. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £113,565 - £150,569 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Jul 2026.
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