Director of Health

Director of Health

Final date to receive applications: 15 August 2026

Department: Corporate Delivery

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Executive Director of Strategy and Mayoral Office

Compensation: £94,841 - £106,612 / year

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
  - Full Time
• Salary: Grade 17 £ 94,841 - £106,612
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Shape the future of health in South Yorkshire

The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, has set a bold ambition: to make our region the healthiest in the country. We now have a unique opportunity to accelerate this through a new joint Health Commissioner and ICB Chair—strengthening leadership, aligning priorities, and driving system-wide change.

We’re looking for a highly experienced and collaborative leader to join SYMCA as our new Director of Health, to drive the Mayor’s ambition and support the new Commissioner.

You will provide strategic leadership across the system, working closely with the Mayor and the new joint Health Commissioner / ICB Chair to tackle health inequalities and improve healthy life expectancy. You’ll bring partners together to deliver a shared unified, prevention‑focused approach that addresses the wider social and economic drivers of health and supports thriving communities.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

Please note:

This role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Postholders are prohibited from standing for elected office (except Town or Parish Councils) and from engaging in certain political activities, including canvassing or acting as an officer of a political party.

What you’ll do

• Lead delivery of South Yorkshire’s health mission and priorities
• Embed health, prevention and equity into policies, investment and decision‑making
• Build strong partnerships across the NHS, local authorities and wider sectors
• Shape innovative programmes and system‑wide transformation
• Oversee a diverse portfolio including prevention, healthy places, employment and health, and innovation
• Use Drive evidence and insight to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities

You’ll be a strategic, politically astute leader with:

• Significant experience delivering complex, multi‑partner programmes
• A strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and political leaders
• Expertise in population health, inequality reduction or related fields
• The ability to turn ambitious vision into measurable impact

This is a rare opportunity to lead health at a regional level, shaping policy and investment that will improve lives for years to come. You’ll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation committed to innovation, inclusion and making a real difference.

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well‑placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of our benefits include:

• Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro‑rata for part‑time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work…