Public Health Principal

Isle of Wight Council; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile and hybrid working

Training, development and career prog.

32 days annual leave plus public hols

Discounted Solent ferry travel

Island bus network discount

Job summary

Isle of Wight Council is seeking a Public Health Principal to lead health protection initiatives and shape strategic programmes across the island. The role focuses on infectious disease prevention, environmental hazards and safeguarding population health, with senior leadership and cross-sector collaboration at its core.

You will develop evidence-based policies, manage responses to incidents, and work with UKHSA, NHS and local authorities to strengthen resilience and reduce health inequalities

Qualifications

• Experience leading health protection programmes and priorities.
• Ability to translate national legislation into local strategies and actions.
• Strong analytical, leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development, implementation and oversight of health protection programmes and priorities.
• Provide expert public health advice to senior leaders, elected members and partner organisations, interpreting complex evidence, surveillance data and national policy.
• Lead health needs assessments, reviews, audits and intelligence gathering to inform health protection priorities and planning.
• Translate national legislation, guidance and policy into effective local strategies, plans and actions.
• Lead and support staff, projects and programmes, promoting high performance, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Build effective partnerships across the council, UKHSA, NHS organisations, emergency planning, environmental health and the wider system to influence policy and practice.
• Ensure health protection activity is informed by evidence, local need and a commitment to reducing health inequalities.
• Contribute to, and where appropriate lead, health protection incident management, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness, resilience and response activities.

Job description

Salary Grade 14, £60,111 to £64,595 per annum

Location County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight

This role is office-based and we cannot sponsor international workers. The role is not eligible for travel or relocation benefits. Please address how you plan to attend in-office days on the Isle of Wight in your application.

Welcome

Are you an experienced public health professional with a passion for protecting the health of the public and tackling inequalities?

We have an exciting opportunity to join our ambitious and expanding Public Health team as a Public Health Principal.

Following the re-establishment of our independent Isle of Wight Public Health Team, we are continuing to build a dynamic, forward-thinking service focused on improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of our Island community. This is an excellent time to join us as we develop innovative programmes and strengthen our impact for residents.

About the Role

As a Public Health Principal, you will lead the strategic development, delivery and performance of key programmes, focusing primarily on health protection.

You will play a critical leadership role in protecting and improving population health, reducing health inequalities and strengthening the local health protection system. Focusing on infectious diseases, environmental hazards and other health protection risks, you will lead the development of evidence-based policies, strategies and programmes that support prevention, preparedness and effective response to emerging threats.

As a senior public health specialist, you will provide expert advice and assurance to senior leaders, elected members and partners, influencing decision-making across a range of health protection priorities. Working with UKHSA, NHS organisations, local authority services, the voluntary and community sector and regional colleagues, you will foster effective partnerships, coordinate system-wide responses to incidents and emergencies, and help ensure the Isle of Wight is resilient to current and future public health risks.

You will report directly to the Consultant in Public Health within the Safer Lives team.

You will:

• Lead the strategic development, implementation and oversight of health protection programmes and priorities.
• Provide expert public health advice and assurance to senior leaders, elected members and partner organisations, including the interpretation of complex evidence, surveillance data and national policy.
• Lead health needs assessments, reviews, audits and intelligence gathering to inform health protection priorities and planning.
• Translate national legislation, guidance and policy into effective local strategies, plans and actions.
• Lead and support staff, projects and programmes, promoting high performance, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Build effective partnerships across the council, UKHSA, NHS organisations, emergency planning, environmental health and the wider system to influence policy and practice.
• Ensure health protection activity is informed by evidence, local need and a commitment to reducing health inequalities.
• Contribute to, and where appropriate lead, health protection incident management, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness, resilience and response activities.

About You

You are an experienced public health professional with a strong commitment to protecting and improving health and reducing inequalities. You will bring a strong understanding of health protection, including infectious disease prevention and control, together with excellent analytical, leadership and communication skills.

Why the Isle of Wight?

The Isle of Wight offers a unique public health environment, with distinct challenges and opportunities. This enables genuinely place-based approaches that make a real difference, particularly in addressing inequalities and improving outcomes across the life course.

We are a supportive and evolving team with a strong focus on learning, development and collaboration. You will join at a time of real opportunity to shape our approach, influence priorities and grow your career.

Working with Us

We offer a flexible, supportive and developmental working environment where people are encouraged to learn, innovate and progress.

You will benefit from:

• Agile and hybrid working
• Training, development and career progression opportunities
• Being part of a growing team with scope to shape its future
• A collaborative culture focused on continuous learning
• 32 days annual leave plus public holidays

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to be part of a developing service with real impact. As our Public Health function grows, you will be supported to expand your skills, take on new challenges and progress your career.

Find Out More

For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Nicola Dennis at [e-mail]

Interviews are scheduled for the 23 rd November 2026 and will take place on the Isle of Wight.

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer . Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [e-mail] if you would like to receive a copy.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.