At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead public health initiatives to improve community wellbeing and tackle health inequalities.
- Company: Bath & North East Somerset Council, dedicated to enhancing residents' lives.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive pay, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and community service.
- Why this job: Shape public health policy and drive innovation in a beautiful, historic area.
- Qualifications: Must be on GMC Specialist Register or equivalent with public health expertise.
The predicted salary is between 40582 - 49600 £ per year.
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives. This might sound simple, but it brings together everything we do, from cleaning the streets to caring for our older people. It is the foundation for our strategy, and we will ensure that it drives our commitments, spending, and service delivery. From ancient cities to peaceful villages, we are dedicated to providing the best services possible to our 200,000 residents.
About The Role
Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) is a place of beauty, history and opportunity and as a council we are ambitious, forward-thinking and ready to innovate. Our purpose is clear: we want to improve people’s lives. B&NES offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic system leader to support the improvement of health and wellbeing outcomes, working across neighbourhoods to address the complex determinants of poor health and inequality, and to contribute to the development of wellbeing initiatives across our communities.
We are looking for an exceptional Director of Public Health and Communities to take on this system leadership role, and welcome applications from both experienced and aspirant candidates. This is more than a traditional Director of Public Health role. In B&NES, the role brings together statutory public health leadership with a broader portfolio including leisure services, prevention and community wellbeing. It is an excellent opportunity to lead across the whole system, influence the long‑term direction of the council and the wider partnership and help improve outcomes for communities across the district.
The role offers a unique platform to shape policy and strategic thinking at both organisational and regional levels, ensuring B&NES remains at the forefront of innovation, prevention and wellbeing. As a member of the council’s Corporate Management Team, you will have a direct role in shaping the council’s overall strategic direction and collective leadership. You will work across the organisation and with partners to drive a place-based neighbourhood approach to prevention and tackle persistent inequality.
You will influence at the highest level locally, regionally and nationally, ensuring public health insight and shape strategic decisions across the whole council and wider system. You will be an experienced and accomplished senior leader who can step confidently into a significant and complex local authority role. You will bring the credibility, judgement and presence of a corporate and systems leader: someone who can work effectively with elected members; someone who can work across organisational boundaries, navigate complexity, influence a wide range of partners, and remain focused on the outcomes that matter most to residents.
Alongside your statutory and professional public health expertise, you will bring a track record of leading through influence, delivering through partnerships, and translating ambition into tangible improvements in population health, wellbeing and opportunity. The role offers significant scope to innovate and leave a lasting legacy through new approaches to public health, community wellbeing and prevention.
This is a statutory Director of Public Health post, jointly appointed by Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Candidates must be on the GMC Specialist Register (Public Health Medicine) with a licence to practise, the GDC Specialist List, or the UK Public Health Register at specialist level. Candidates will have membership of FPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment, or equivalent.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Darryl Freeman, Executive Director People.
Closing date: 28 August 2026
Interview dates expected during w/c 21 September 2026.
Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
About Bath And North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs. Please note that this role is subject to a Basic DBS Check.
Director of Public Health in Keynsham employer: BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
Bath & North East Somerset Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As part of our SEND service, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while benefiting from professional development and growth opportunities in a collaborative environment at the Keynsham Civic Centre.
Contact Details:
BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Public Health in Keynsham
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Public Health in Keynsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL.
How to prepare for a job interview at BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
