Clinical Director (Portfolio GP Role)

​The Opportunity

Are you a GP who really understands the realities of primary care right now – the pressure, the politics, the opportunity as well as the risk? Do you ever catch yourself thinking there must be a better, more sustainable way to do this?

Neighbourhood Health Group is growing, and we are looking for a forward-thinking, well-connected GP to join us as Clinical Director. This is an evolving, portfolio-style role designed for an experienced GP who wants to remain clinically credible while stepping into a wider leadership and transformation position.

If you enjoy shaping services, supporting struggling practices, influencing system partners, and being part of something bigger than a single surgery – this could be your next chapter.

Neighbourhood Health Group is committed to building a sustainable, high-quality future for primary care. If you are a GP who wants to stay clinically relevant while shaping what comes next – we’d love to talk.

About the Role

This role combines active GP practice with senior clinical leadership across Neighbourhood Health Group. Initially, the focus will be on clinical leadership, CQC support, and being the named GP on GMS contracts. Over time, as we secure and grow more GMS contracts, the role will naturally expand – requiring greater involvement, system influence, and travel across our practices.

You will be a visible, credible clinical leader who understands what it takes to stabilise and support practices under pressure, while also helping us secure and promote GMS contracts through strong relationships with ICBs and GP networks.

This is a genuinely evolving role: as Neighbourhood Health Group grows and succeeds, so too will your scope, influence, and opportunity to shape the future of primary care delivery.

Job Purpose

To provide strategic and operational clinical leadership across Neighbourhood Health Group, combining hands-on GP practice with senior leadership responsibilities. The Clinical Director will support practices to thrive, promote the organisation externally, and play a key role in securing and developing GMS contracts through trusted system relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Governance

·       Provide visible, credible GP leadership across all practices within the group.

·       Maintain active clinical practice and remain on the relevant performers list.

·       Act as a trusted advisor to practices that are struggling – offering practical guidance, mentorship, and support to help them get back on track.

·       Lead and support clinical governance, quality improvement, and patient safety.

·       Ensure compliance with regulatory, professional, and contractual requirements.

·       Promote evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

GMS Contracts & Practice Support (Core Focus)

·       Act as the named GP on all GMS contracts (fully indemnified by NHG)

·       Support practices through CQC inspections (with our team), regulatory engagement, and action planning.

·       Work proactively with ICBs, commissioners, and GP networks to help secure, protect, and grow GMS contracts.

·       Use professional credibility and system knowledge to advocate for Neighbourhood Health Group as a safe, high-quality GMS partner.

·       As the portfolio expands, increase involvement across multiple practices and geographies.

Strategic Development & Transformation

·       Shape and influence the organisation’s clinical and primary care strategy.

·       Identify opportunities for service improvement, transformation, and innovation.

·       Bring real-world GP insight into how services can be redesigned to be safer, more sustainable, and more attractive to clinicians.

·       Contribute clinically to bids, proposals, and partnership discussions.

·       Help position Neighbourhood Health Group as a forward-thinking, credible primary care organisation.

System Leadership & External Relationships

·       Build and maintain trusted relationships with ICBs, GP surgeries, PCNs, and wider system partners.

·       Act as a senior clinical ambassador for the organisation.

·       Represent Neighbourhood Health Group at system meetings, forums, and networks.

·       Use existing contacts – and build new ones – to influence commissioning and promote GMS opportunities.

Workforce & Culture

·       Support, mentor, and develop senior clinicians and practice leaders.

·       Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing clinical culture.

·       Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and retention.

·       Provide senior clinical input into performance, conduct, and capability matters where required.

Why This Role?

·       A true portfolio role – stay clinically grounded while stepping into leadership.

·       Opportunity to move into transformation and system leadership without giving up being a GP.

·       Be part of a growing organisation with ambition – and a real appetite to do things

·       Be part of the experienced senior leadership team differently.

·       Influence how GMS contracts are supported and delivered at scale.

·       Improved work–life balance compared to traditional partnership models.

·       Space to grow – this role will expand as Neighbourhood Health Group expands.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications & Registration

·       GMC-registered GP with licence to practise.

·       On the relevant performers list.

·       Eligible and fit to practise clinically.

Experience

·       Significant post-CCT GP experience.

·       Experience in a senior or informal leadership role (e.g. GP Partner, Clinical Lead, Clinical Director, PCN role).

·       Strong understanding of the realities and pressures of modern primary care.

·       Experience working with or alongside ICBs, commissioners, or GP networks.

·       Experience supporting practices with governance, quality, or performance challenges.

Skills & Knowledge

·       High clinical credibility and confidence operating at system level.

·       Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.

·       Clear understanding of NHS commissioning, GMS contracts, and primary care policy.

·       Strategic, pragmatic, and solution-focused.

·       Ability to balance clinical work with senior leadership responsibilities.

Personal Attributes

·       Forward-thinking and well-connected.

·       Resilient, adaptable, and calm under pressure.

·       Credible, approachable, and trusted by peers.

·       Motivated by improving sustainability and quality in primary care.

·       Values-driven with a strong patient focus.

Desirable

•       Existing strong relationships within ICBs or across multiple GP practices.

•       Experience contributing to bids, service growth, or contract mobilisation.

•       Formal leadership or management qualification (or interest in developing one).

•       Experience working across multiple practices or organisations.

•       Track record of service improvement, turnaround, or transformation.

Other Requirements

•       Willingness to travel as the role evolves and the organisation grows.

•       Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

•       Commitment to ongoing professional development.