Public Health Principal

Public Health Principal

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Milton Keynes City Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead public health programmes and tackle health inequalities in Milton Keynes.
  • Company: Milton Keynes City Council, part of a collaborative service with Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Councils.
  • Benefits: 28 days holiday, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and employee discounts.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in community health and well-being while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Master’s in Public Health or equivalent experience, strong data analysis skills, and partnership working.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We’re recruiting a Public Health Principal to join our Public Health team at Milton Keynes City Council, as part of a shared service with Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council. Reporting to the Head of Public Health Programmes, you will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio that includes public mental health, suicide prevention, and prevention and early intervention. This senior specialist role draws on your expertise in using data, evidence and insight to ensure interventions are targeted where they will make the greatest difference and improve outcomes for the population of Milton Keynes and across our shared service footprint. The post works closely with colleagues across the council, partner agencies including the NHS, businesses, and residents to reduce health inequalities and address the wider determinants of health, prioritising those with the greatest level of need. This is a site-based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.

Main Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategic development and implementation of public health programmes across a defined portfolio, including public mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Influence and work with partners across local authorities, health and the voluntary and community sector to prioritise and invest in prevention.
  • Provide highly specialist public health advice to support the interpretation and implementation of national policy at local level.
  • Support commissioning activity by providing public health expertise at all stages, from planning through to evaluation.
  • Manage public health budgets to ensure interventions are evidence based and deliver value for money.
  • Line manage a Public Health Practitioner and support their development to ensure effective delivery of key initiatives.

Ideal Candidate / Qualifications

  • A Master’s degree in Public Health or a relevant Master’s level qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Strong knowledge of public health principles, health inequalities and the wider determinants of health.
  • Experience of using population health data and evidence to shape strategy and demonstrate impact.
  • The ability to analyse, interpret and present complex data to inform decision making.
  • Proven skills in partnership working, influence and system leadership.
  • Experience of managing projects, programmes and competing priorities.
  • Line management experience and the ability to support colleagues within a shared service environment.

Requirements

  • Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If offered the role, evidence of driving licence and vehicle insurance (including business use) will be requested. Appointment cannot be confirmed until documents are received.

Package & Benefits

  • Great holiday benefits – 28 days annual leave, rising to 32 days after five years, plus a holiday purchase scheme for up to 5 additional days per year.
  • Excellent pension – Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
  • Employee benefits programme including health cash plan, bike purchase scheme, discounts on entertainment and travel.
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
  • Blue Light Card – additional discounts for those in social care.

Public Health Principal employer: Milton Keynes City Council

Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Public Health Principal, you will benefit from generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and family-friendly policies, all while making a meaningful impact on public health in the community. The collaborative environment fosters strong partnerships with local authorities and health agencies, ensuring that your expertise directly contributes to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for residents.
Milton Keynes City Council

Contact Detail:

Milton Keynes City Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Public Health Principal

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the public health sector! Attend local events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!

✨Showcase Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or colleagues, make sure to highlight your experience with data and evidence-based interventions. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles. We want to see your passion for public health shine through!

✨Prepare for Interviews

Do your homework before any interview! Research the council's current public health initiatives and think about how your skills can contribute. We recommend practising common interview questions and preparing some thoughtful questions to ask them too. It shows you’re genuinely interested!

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s get you that Public Health Principal role!

We think you need these skills to ace Public Health Principal

Strategic Leadership
Public Health Expertise
Data Analysis
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Partnership Working
Influence and System Leadership
Project Management
Budget Management
Line Management
Understanding of Health Inequalities
Knowledge of Wider Determinants of Health
Communication Skills
Ability to Analyse and Present Complex Data

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Public Health Principal role. Highlight your experience in public health, especially around mental health and suicide prevention. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Milton Keynes City Council!

Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves using data to shape strategies, be sure to showcase your ability to analyse and interpret complex data. Give examples of how you've used data to make impactful decisions in your previous roles.

Highlight Partnership Experience: We value collaboration! Make sure to highlight any experience you have working with local authorities, health agencies, or community organisations. Show us how you've influenced partners to prioritise public health initiatives.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Milton Keynes City Council

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on public health principles, especially around mental health and suicide prevention. Familiarise yourself with the latest data and evidence that supports your strategies. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about making a difference.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've led projects or teams in the past. Think about times when you've influenced partners or stakeholders to prioritise public health initiatives. This is key for a role that requires strategic leadership across various agencies.

✨Data is Your Best Friend

Be ready to discuss how you've used population health data to shape strategies in previous roles. Practice explaining complex data in simple terms, as you'll need to present this information clearly to inform decision-making.

✨Demonstrate Collaboration

Highlight your experience working with local authorities, the NHS, and community organisations. Prepare to discuss how you've built partnerships and tackled health inequalities, as this role involves a lot of collaboration across different sectors.

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