Assistant Director / Consultant in Public Health

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 96,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization is seeking a Public Health Specialist to oversee health improvement programs and tackle inequalities. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of public health practice and hold relevant registrations. Responsibilities include leading strategic planning and supporting health services across the community. This permanent position offers a salary of £96,049 to £107,175 per year, based in Woolwich, London.

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of health and care system relationships.
• Proven ability to motivate organisations to improve public health.
• Experience delivering successful change management programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop strategic plans to tackle health inequalities.
• Provide expert advice on public health services.
• Supervise public health registrars and manage work programmes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Analytical skills

Knowledge of public health practices

Ability to influence

Education

Registration with GMC, GDC, or UK Public Health Register

Masters in Public Health or equivalent (desirable)

Job description

Job Summary

The Public Health department is at the heart of the council's business. It is a well-established team with strong links across council departments, joined-up working with the NHS and excellent partnerships with the community and voluntary sectors. We work as part of the London and the South‑East London public health systems, the South East London ICS and are actively engaged in work across borough boundaries and London-wide.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and develop cross‑agency strategic plans to improve health and tackle inequalities, covering national priorities such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, food and health, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling, and service improvement.
• Coordinate strategic groups that align these priorities within the Borough's Health and Well‑being Strategy and the council's Corporate Plan.
• Provide specialist subject leads with expert advice on commissioning, pathway development and quality improvement of related public health services.
• Play a lead role in evolving the departmental and wider council neighbourhood development and engagement approach, focusing on health in all policies within a social model of health and wellbeing.
• Oversee coordination with children's services and adult services and lead the department's contribution to the cost‑of‑living crisis and the Greenwich Supports programme.
• Support the Director of Public Health in running the Health and Well‑being Board and engaging the local population and strategic partners.
• Liaise with the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, other senior members and the council leader, providing briefings and responding to strategic enquiries.
• Deputise for the Director of Public Health and Director of Health and Adult Services, representing senior colleagues at Management Team level and in meetings with elected members, regionally and nationally through the ADPH and ADASS networks.
• Take a London‑wide leadership role for pan‑Borough programmes in areas such as tobacco, food & health, physical activity, and health in all policies as a consultant or AD member of the London ADPH professional network.
• Supervise and support public health and GP registrars on placement, helping them develop skills, competence and manage work programmes.
• Interpret monitoring and surveillance data, advise on priorities and secure evidence‑based interventions to address local priorities.
• Provide expert public health input to the local authority and partner agencies, presenting at meetings, attending the ICST and council committees.
• Professional appraisal required in line with Faculty of Public Health requirements; supervision of specialist registrars and trainee staff.
• Support surge capacity requirements for communicable disease control/health protection as requested by UKHSA.
• Keep up with CPD/CME, revalidate through enhanced appraisal as applicable.

Person Specification

Knowledge / Skills / Personal Qualities – Essential

• In-depth understanding of the health and care system and relationships with local and national government.
• Knowledge of methods for developing clinical quality assurance, quality improvement, evaluations and evidence‑based public health practice.
• Strong understanding of interfaces between health, social care and key partners to address wider determinants of health.
• Knowledge of public sector duty and inequality duty and application to public health practice.
• Strategic thinker with proven leadership skills and operational nous.
• Ability to motivate organisations to improve public health and wellbeing through mainstream activities and resource allocation.
• Capacity to lead and manage responses in unplanned, unforeseen circumstances.
• Analytical skills, able to use qualitative and quantitative information.
• Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement strategies and policies.
• Ability to influence senior members, including directors and CEOs.
• Capability to lead teams and contribute effectively in teams led by juniors.
• Commitment to work within a political system irrespective of personal political affiliations.

Experience – Essential

• Delivery of successful change management programmes across organisational boundaries.
• Experience using complex information to explain public health issues to a range of audiences.

Desirable

• Media experience delivering effective health behaviour or health promotion messages.
• Masters in Public Health or equivalent.

Qualifications – Essential

• Must be registered with the GMC, GDC, or the UK Public Health Register as a public health specialist.
• Where applicable, possess a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or equivalent.
• Meet minimum CPD requirements in line with Faculty of Public Health or other recognised body.
• Possess MFPH by examination, exemption or assessment, or equivalent.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Pay and Conditions

Salary: £96,049 to £107,175 per year. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full‑time.

Location

The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HQ.

Employer Details

Royal Borough of Greenwich – The Woolwich Centre.

Application

Date posted: 20 November 2025. Reference number: F0080‑TP917478.