Director of Public Health and Communities

About the role

The Director of Public Health and Communities will lead a high‑profile statutory public health portfolio within a progressive local authority, shaping strategy and influencing system‑wide decisions to improve population health and reduce inequalities.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for public health, prevention, community wellbeing and leisure services.
• Shape organisational strategy and embed place‑based approaches that improve community health.
• Lead the statutory public health function and champion prevention across complex public‑sector environments.
• Collaborate with health, local government and community partners to deliver outcomes through partnership working.
• Drive innovation, influence policy at the highest level and ensure alignment with statutory requirements.
• Represent the authority in regional and national public health forums.

Required profile

• Statutory eligibility for appointment as a Director of Public Health.
• Registration on the GMC Specialist Register (Public Health Medicine) with a licence to practise, the GDC Specialist List, or the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) at specialist level.
• Membership of the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) by examination, exemption or assessment (or equivalent).
• Proven senior leadership experience in public health, with a strong track record of partnership working and delivering outcomes.
• Ability to influence strategic policy and embed prevention within complex organisations.

Required skills