GB Students Chief Medical Officer

BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED

Remote

Full-time

6th May 2026

Listed today

Description

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is seeking to appoint a highly qualified and experienced volunteer Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to lead and support the medical team of the GB Students delegation due to compete at the FISU World Winter Universiade in 2027.

The successful applicant will take on the role for one World Winter Universiade cycle, from appointment through to the end of the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade with the option to review and consideration for an additional Winter Universiade cycle (2029), dependent on performance.

The FISU Winter Universiade are staged biennially as a celebration of international university sports and culture. The FISU Winter Universiade is considered one of the largest multi-sport Winter Games in the world. The Games represent an experience comparable to an Olympic, Paralympic & Commonwealth Games in terms of scale, village life and competition format.

The next Games are due to be held in Changchun, China across a series of different venues in the Northern Jilin Province. The 33rd Winter Universiade will take place between the 15-25 of January 2027 and GB Students are likely to be spread across various sites.

It is anticipated that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will send a delegation of around 50-90 to the FISU Winter World Winter Universiade 2027.

You are required to have a DBS check up to date and full driving licence.

Main duties and responsibilities

To lead and provide high quality medical support to all athletes during their preparation and competition phase and for the whole duration of the World Winter Universiade.
To establish and build relations with the Organising Committee medical structures to cascade all relevant information to HQ and National Governing Body medical staff.
To participate within regular meetings (in-person or via Teams) as a member of the GB Students Senior Leadership Team offering constructive opinion and support for the overall delivery of medical and performances services across the GB Students Changchun 2027 footprint.
To work closely as part of the GB Students SLT, BUCS Head of International Student Sport and BUCS International Student Sport Coordinator in the detailed planning for the 9 months in advance of the Winter Universiade.
To work with the Chef de Mission, Lead Physiotherapist, BUCS Head of International Student Sport to recruit a diverse team of HQ Doctors or/and Medical Officers to be deployed during the Winter Universiade.
To act as the lead and primary contact for all HQ and National Governing Body medical staff.
To input on and act in accordance with Incident Management Reporting.
To collate, refine and stock check all necessary physiotherapy and medical consumables and equipment required by the HQ clinical team at The Games with the GB Students Lead Physiotherapist, assisting in the ordering, packing, freighting of all items before, during and after The Games in coordination with the Chef de Mission and BUCS Head of International Student Sport.
To provide a responsive, accessible medical support service to all GB Students delegates, both in a clinic village setting, as an escort during travel, in competition and training venues, on-call and across all other locations deemed appropriate to meet the requirements of the role.
To ensure a high standard of health promotion and preventative care for athletes and athlete support personnel including Medical Officers, Physiotherapist, Team Leaders, Coaching Staff and others.
To liaise with other medical personnel and performance services support staff to ensure the highest standards of care of an athlete’s injury or illness and optimum rehabilitation and management extending post-Games, whilst always working within the GMC Good Medical Practice guidelines and the Professional Code set out by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK).
To promote drug-free sport and have a working knowledge of UKAD best practice and The Code (WADA).
To contribute to pre-event educational resources and materials designed to support delegates.
To keep detailed, confidential and secure medical records of all consultations.
To act and meet requirements in accordance with the official FISU regulations.
To provide accurate reports on medical activity within the village or other locations as required.
To participate in pre-event planning of equipment and supplies in conjunction with the Lead Physiotherapist.
To liaise as required with local medical and emergency staff.
To maintain such information on treatment as required to provide accurate reports and records.
To liaise with the Lead Physiotherapist on a regular basis regarding duties and to feedback any issues that arise.
The successful candidate will play an active role in the pre-Games planning and organisation of the GB Students Delegation.

HOURS OF WORK

Working hours will be as required to fulfil the role and the significant fluctuating demands throughout the World Winter Universiade. The post-holder will be required to acknowledge this and work in a flexible manner to accommodate all requests where appropriate.

Relationships & Interfaces

Report directly to the GB Students Chef de Mission and Deputy Chef de Mission during the World Winter Universiade of who report to the BUCS Head of International Student Sport. Work closely with the Lead Physiotherapist, HQ Staff, NGB Staff at Games, including Team Leaders and support staff.

Essential Experience, Knowledge and skills

Of good standing with GMC and on GP or SEM Register.
MSc (or equivalent) in Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Fellow of the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine (FSEM) UK.
Current up-to-date sports specific pre-hospital pitchside course (e.g. PHICIS Level 3, ATMMIF Level 5 or equivalent).
Suitable professional indemnity cover (e.g MPS/MDU/MDDUS/Sempris) covering work in the countries visited for the purposes of providing medical cover to the GB Students delegation.
Current UKAD Introduction to Clean Sports certification.
Currently working with, or have worked with elite sport athletes during international and multi-sport championships for at least 5-10 years.
Experience of delivering medical support to athletes and teams at elite competition level.
Experience of working effectively leading an MDT and as part of a senior leadership team in a high-pressured environment.

Desirable experience, Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated a commitment to BUCS and university sport by providing medical support as part of the BUCS domestic programme including BUCS Nationals and BUCS Big Wednesday.
Previous work within the international university sport programme including WUGs, EUGs, EUCs.
Previous work at similar multi-sport Games including EYOF, YOG, EOG, OG, CWG.
Leadership experience in SEM.
Current or previous experience as a Medical Officer within the HCSI network or directly with an NGB.
MHFA Mental Health First Aid certificate.

Other Information

Appointments will be made subject to References.
The post-holder will act in accordance with the BUCS Team Members’ Agreement and Code of Conduct.

Remuneration

This is an honorary position, although reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be paid (where not otherwise provided).

Application Process

Candidates can apply by sending their CV and Cover Letter to BUCS Head of International Student Sport via gbstudents@bucs.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Wednesday 6 May.

Please contact Chris Purdie, Chef de Mission if you have any questions in relation to your application.

Connect with a cause that needs you!