Public Health Principal - Public Mental Health and Healthy Ageing

NHS; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking a Public Health Principal to lead initiatives focusing on mental health and healthy ageing. Based in Milton Keynes, this permanent full-time role requires strong project management skills and expertise in public health strategies. The position offers a salary of £46,731 to £50,788 per year and emphasizes collaboration with local partners to improve community health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Educated to master's degree level or equivalent experience in public health.
• Proven track record in developing strategic vision and achieving positive outcomes.
• Strong project and programme management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead public health programmes for mental health and healthy ageing.
• Influence the Integrated Care System to meet strategic priorities.
• Manage budget and ensure evidence-based interventions are delivered.

Skills

Strategic vision development

Project management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Collaboration with partners

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Job description

Job summary

A brilliant opportunity for a Public Health Principal to join a shared Public Health team to lead on Public Mental Health and Healthy Ageing, reporting to our Head of Public Health Programmes. Youll be based in Milton Keynes and will work across the three unitary authorities of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes (BMK). The Public Mental Health and Healthy Ageing Team works with partners to improve the mental health and wellbeing and support healthy ageing of residents across the three authorities. Current priorities for mental health include leading on suicide prevention, this includes the monitoring and evaluation of the BMK Suicide Prevention Action Plan and work to reduce stigma. Current priorities for healthy ageing include addressing digital isolation and ensuring that services that support health behaviours are accessible to older adults.Youll lead a small team and ensure that prevention is championed to improve mental wellbeing, promote healthy ageing and reduce mental health inequalities. Experience of working in complex health and care systems and the ability to work strategically with partners is essential for this role. Experience in the public mental health or healthy ageing field would be beneficial.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main duties of the job

Lead the strategic development and implementation of public health programmes for public mental health and healthy ageing that will improve outcomes for the growing and ageing population of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes.

Work with and influence the work of partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to deliver on priorities identified in relevant national and local strategies; using data, insights and evidence to ensure that interventions are targeted at those at higher risk of poor mental health or need more support to age well.

Responsible for key areas of public mental health work including suicide prevention, prevention and early intervention, and reducing stigma; working with health, social care and voluntary sector partners to address social isolation, as well as support for carers and for dementia.

Influence local priorities to promote healthy ageing such as physical activity, falls prevention, addressing digital isolation, and ensuring that services that support health behaviours are accessible to older adults.

Manage the public mental health budget, ensuring that interventions are based on evidence and deliver value for money; advocating for aligning resources to prevention, early intervention, and recovery in a financially challenged system.

About us

An in-depth understanding of current public mental health and healthy ageing policies and priorities.

Ability to think strategically and influence partners across the system.

Strong project and programme management skills.

Translate and interpret data and complex information in a way that can be understood by partners and communities.

Lead a team and work independently.

Demonstrate that their values and expectations align to those of MKCC.

Details Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£46,731 to £50,788 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0027-25-0000

Job locations

Civic Offices

Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3EJ

Job description Job responsibilities

Lead the strategic development and implementation of public health programmes for public mental health and healthy ageing that will improve outcomes for the growing and ageing population of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes.

Work with and influence the work of partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to deliver on priorities identified in relevant national and local strategies; using data, insights and evidence to ensure that interventions are targeted at those at higher risk of poor mental health or need more support to age well.

Responsible for key areas of public mental health work including suicide prevention, prevention and early intervention, and reducing stigma; working with health, social care and voluntary sector partners to address social isolation, as well as support for carers and for dementia.

Influencing local priorities to promote healthy ageing such as physical activity, falls prevention, addressing digital isolation, and ensuring that services that support health behaviours are accessible to older adults.

Manage the public mental health budget, ensuring that interventions are based on evidence and deliver value for money; advocating for aligning resources to prevention, early intervention, and recovery in a financially challenged system.

Line manage the Public Health Practitioner Public Mental Health, agree and monitor their work plans, and support their professional development to ensure effective delivery of public mental health and healthy ageing initiatives, and support wider public health programmes as necessary.

Job description Job responsibilities

Lead the strategic development and implementation of public health programmes for public mental health and healthy ageing that will improve outcomes for the growing and ageing population of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes.

Work with and influence the work of partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to deliver on priorities identified in relevant national and local strategies; using data, insights and evidence to ensure that interventions are targeted at those at higher risk of poor mental health or need more support to age well.

Responsible for key areas of public mental health work including suicide prevention, prevention and early intervention, and reducing stigma; working with health, social care and voluntary sector partners to address social isolation, as well as support for carers and for dementia.

Influencing local priorities to promote healthy ageing such as physical activity, falls prevention, addressing digital isolation, and ensuring that services that support health behaviours are accessible to older adults.

Manage the public mental health budget, ensuring that interventions are based on evidence and deliver value for money; advocating for aligning resources to prevention, early intervention, and recovery in a financially challenged system.

Line manage the Public Health Practitioner Public Mental Health, agree and monitor their work plans, and support their professional development to ensure effective delivery of public mental health and healthy ageing initiatives, and support wider public health programmes as necessary.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to Masters degree level; or relevant professional qualification; or equivalent demonstrable experience in public health or related field.

Experience Essential

• Proven track record of developing the strategic vision and demonstrating positive impact in complex work areas; a good understanding of current public mental health and healthy ageing policies and priorities.
• Demonstrable ability in collating, analysing and presenting data to produce intelligence that informs decision making, planning, implementation, performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Skills to influence and co-ordinate within and between organisations, agencies and communities to increase their engagement with the public mental health and healthy ageing agendas.
• Strong project and programme management skills with the ability to deliver projects on time, and regularly review quality, risks, and opportunities to maximise outcomes.
• Ability to work effectively within the matrix management arrangements of the shared public health service, manage uncertainty, and solve problems in unpredictable environments.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to Masters degree level; or relevant professional qualification; or equivalent demonstrable experience in public health or related field.

Experience Essential

• Proven track record of developing the strategic vision and demonstrating positive impact in complex work areas; a good understanding of current public mental health and healthy ageing policies and priorities.
• Demonstrable ability in collating, analysing and presenting data to produce intelligence that informs decision making, planning, implementation, performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Skills to influence and co-ordinate within and between organisations, agencies and communities to increase their engagement with the public mental health and healthy ageing agendas.
• Strong project and programme management skills with the ability to deliver projects on time, and regularly review quality, risks, and opportunities to maximise outcomes.
• Ability to work effectively within the matrix management arrangements of the shared public health service, manage uncertainty, and solve problems in unpredictable environments.

Employer details Employer name

Milton Keynes Council

Address

Civic Offices

Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3EJ

Employer's website

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Milton Keynes Council

Address

Civic Offices

Saxon Gate East

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3EJ

Employer's website

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)