Director of Public Health

Minimum of 3 Days in the office/borough

Promote Health. Shape Lives. Inspire a Borough.

Newham is one of Londons most vibrant and diverse boroughs, undergoing bold transformation. Were looking for a visionary and strategic Public Health leader who possesses exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team. You will demonstrate a strong and impactful commitment to public health, with a focus on improving health and wellbeing outcomes and reducing inequalities within our local communities.

As Director of Public Health, you will oversee the mandated health protection and health improvement functions of the secretary of state, ensuring value for money and strategic synergy around prevention, integration and equity of outcome within the Health and Wellbeing partnership.

You'll shape disease prevention programmes, lead responses to public health emergencies, in partnership with agencies such as police, UKHSA, NHS and emergency services, ensure compliance with public health legislation, act as Caldicott Guardian and publish an independent annual report on the health and wellbeing of our communities.

If you're a strategic, systems-focused leader passionate about making a real impact and driving the Public Health agenda, we'd love to hear from you. If you're ready to make a lasting impact in a borough full of energy, ambition, and opportunity - Newham is ready for you.

For questions or an informal discussion, please contact:

Nick Raper on

Tom Niven on

Final date to receive applications:23:59pm on Monday 30th March 2026

Public Health Newham ishosted in the Adults and Health Directorate alongside the Public Health Commissioning team. The Health and Wellbeing board strategy,
50 steps to a healthier borough, has offered the Public Health team multiple strategic opportunities to develop partnerships and relationships with council teams, NHS services and VCFS partners to understand need and deliver appropriately tailored services.

1. Job Context

Professional Accountability
:

To the Newham Health and Wellbeing Board, the Chief Executive (especially when acting as Statutory Chief Officer), and the Secretary of State for Health via the Chief Medical Officer.

Managerial Accountability
:

To the Corporate Director for Adults and Health, London Borough of Newham.

Role Details
:

Full-time, based in Newham. The postholder is the boroughs most senior public health leader, providing leadership and expert advice across the system and leading the public health team.

Responsible for the local authority's public health functions.

Any of the Secretary of State's public health protection or health improvement functions that s/he delegates to local authorities, either by arrangement or under regulations.

Protect the health of the local population, including ensuring appropriate plans are in place and collaborating with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the NHS and other partners.

Improve the health of the local population, including driving, leading and overseeing public health services and programmes, working with the NHS, Health and Wellbeing Board and other system partners.

Provide expert, statutory advice to the local authority and NHS.

Designated as the Caldicott Guardian as mandated by the Department of Health Local Authority circular LAC (2002)2.

Emergency preparedness, ensuring health considerations are integrated into emergency planning.

Independent annual DPH report.

Any additional functions specified by regulation.

Additional Responsibilities
:

Oversight of service agreements with LBN departments and NHS partners.

Public health intelligence and policy guidance.

Supporting organisational transformation, improvement of outcomes and delivery of prevention opportunities and integration in health and care.

Participation in the council's on-call rota.

Financial Leadership
:

Jointly responsible (with Corporate Director and Corporate Leadership Board) for public health grant allocation, ensuring value for money and alignment with the grant conditions.

Strategic Intelligence
:

Leads production analysis and communication of public health data, including JSNA and pharmaceutical needs assessment. Drive use of intelligence and insight for improvement of service outcomes and commissioning.

To influence and act on the broad determinants, behaviours and environmental factors influencing health at a system, community and individual level to improve and promote the health of current and future generations. To be proactive in addressing health inequalities and prioritising the most vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in the population.

Flexible Leadership
:

Provides specialist input and leadership to council priorities requiring public health expertise.

2. Job Summary

The Director of Public Health (DPH) is Newham's senior public health leader, driving population health improvement and improved health equity through strategic leadership, partnership working, and evidence-based delivery in health…