Food Programme Manager

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization in London is seeking a Food Programme Manager to lead the development of a borough-wide food strategy. Responsibilities include coordinating food-related programmes, engaging stakeholders, and analyzing food systems data. Candidates should have experience in public health and strategic planning. This is a full-time role on a temporary contract basis.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans related to food systems.
• Strong understanding of food security and public health frameworks.
• Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and manage partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of a borough-wide Food Systems Strategy.
• Manage cross-sector food partners and maintain strong partnerships.
• Interpret food-related data to inform policy development.
• Oversee food-related programmes including advertising policy.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Partnership Engagement

Data Analysis

Project Management

Job description

Food Programme Manager needed in Tower Hamlets, £272.30 per day PAYE - Reference: RQ1564740

Purpose of the role -

• The Programme Manager will lead the development and implementation of a borough-wide 5-year strategy and 1-year action plan to improve the local food system. This includes improving food security, access to healthy and sustainable food, reducing diet-related health inequalities, and supporting a resilient, equitable local food economy.
• The postholder will coordinate and oversee broader food-related programmes, including projects addressing the commercial determinants of health. They will also provide strategic and operational support to the Healthy Environments and Communities team on wider public health priorities.

Key Responsibilities -

1. Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of a borough-wide Food Systems Strategy.

• Ensure alignment with the goals and strategies relevant to food, including health, climate, planning, poverty, and economic development.

• Develop measurable objectives, outcome indicators, and an evaluation framework to track progress and impact.

2. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Convene and manage cross-sector food partners, involving departments, local businesses, health services, schools, faith groups, and the voluntary and community sector.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships across local government, NHS, civil society, and business sectors to ensure shared ownership of the food strategy

• Design and lead stakeholder mapping and engagement processes to identify key influencers, collaborators, and affected communities.

• Ensure inclusive engagement that amplifies the voices of residents and groups most affected by food insecurity and poor diet

3. Research, Data and Insight

• Interpret food-related data to inform policies and strategy development.

• Lead and coordinate food systems mapping to analyse how food flows through the borough—production, distribution, retail, waste, and access.

• Conduct policy and strategy mapping across the client and partners to identify synergies, gaps, and opportunities.

• Oversee stakeholder mapping activities to support systems thinking and identify leverage points for intervention.

4. Programme and Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee other food-related programmes, including but not limited to the borough’s healthier advertising policy and fruit and vegetable voucher schemes.

5. Management and Leadership

• Line manage the Public Health Programme Officer, providing clear direction, support, and professional development.

• Contribution to the wider Healthy Environments and Communities team.

• Monitor allocated budgets, ensuring value for money and compliance with client financial procedures.

• Provide timely updates, risk management, and progress reporting to senior leadership.
6. Cross cutting support

• Provide ad hoc support to the Team Lead and Associate Director on work relating to the wider determinants of health, such as housing, air quality and planning.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis

If you are interested in the role please apply on our website with your CV, alternatively you can email your CV to [e-mail] quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared.

Due to high volumes of CVs received we are not able to respond to all unsuccessful applications. You will always however hear from us by phone if we are able to take your CV forward to the next stage.

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