At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for diverse communities.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a forward-thinking organisation committed to public health transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration across various sectors and communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health and drive change in a vibrant London borough.
- Qualifications: Must have specialist registration in public health and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 86652 - 108462 £ per year.
Are you ready to use your expertise to tackle health inequalities and drive system-wide change in one of London’s most ambitious and diverse boroughs? Southwark has achieved substantial improvements in population health; however, significant challenges and inequalities remain. Addressing these requires bold leadership, innovation and systems thinking, with a strong focus on delivery. Our Public Health division sits at the heart of an ambitious whole-systems transformation programme. Working across the Council, NHS, and wider partners, we influence the wider determinants of health and drive sustainable change at scale. We serve a young and ethnically diverse population of around 314,000 residents. Our ambition is to improve population health, strengthen system resilience and reduce inequalities across Southwark.
We are recruiting two Assistant Director / Consultant in Public Health roles, each with a distinct portfolio. Both roles sit within our senior leadership team and work closely with the Director of Public Health to shape strategy and improve outcomes.
About the Roles:
- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH / CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE - You will lead work to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families and in sexual and reproductive health. This includes oversight of 0-19 health visiting and school nursing services, CYP mental health and wellbeing, CYP suicide prevention and child death reviews. You will drive prevention, early intervention and equitable access to high-quality services collaborating with the Council’s Children’s Services, NHS and VCS partners and provide leadership to the local and London Sexual and Reproductive Health and GUM systems.
- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH / CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE – Healthy Places, Food Systems & Public Health Workforce - You will lead on the wider determinants of health, including working across Council divisions on the built environment, housing, employment, and the local economy. You will have oversight of the healthy food systems including Southwark’s ambitious school meal transformation, the holiday food and activity programme and sustainable healthy food work. You will lead on public health workforce development and create public health capacity across the Southwark system.
Please note: Candidates will be asked to indicate their role preference during the application process.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will lead the design and delivery of long-term public health strategies that improve population health and reduce inequalities. You will:
- Apply your skills in intelligence, surveillance and assessment of population health and wellbeing
- Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of health and care programmes and interventions
- Develop academic and research partnerships to support innovation and evidence-based practice
- Strengthen system-wide public health capability and improvement
You will also:
- Work across Southwark Council, the South East London ICB, and key partners
- Collaborate with NHS Trusts, UKHSA, OHID, GLA, DHSC, Metropolitan Police and the voluntary and community sector
- Provide expert advice on service improvement and system development
- Influence strategy and delivery across complex, multi-agency environments
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking experienced public health leaders who can operate confidently at scale and across systems. You will bring:
- Specialist registration on the GMC Specialist Register, GDC Specialist List, or UK Public Health Register. Any public health speciality registrar applicants who are currently on the UK public health training programme and not yet on either the GMC, GDC or UKPHR specialist register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry to a register at the date of interview. Applicants going through the portfolio registration routes (GMC or UKPHR) are not eligible to be shortlisted for interview until they are included on the register. The six-month rule does not apply to these portfolio route applicants.
- Strong resilience and the ability to manage competing priorities
- High-level analytical and intellectual capability
- Excellent influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- The ability to work across organisational boundaries without formal authority
- Effective communication skills and the ability to inspire others
- Cultural awareness, tact, and political sensitivity
- A clear commitment to reducing health inequalities
- Experience working within multidisciplinary senior teams
For full details of qualifications and requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Working hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type: Permanent
Location: 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH
To be considered for interview, you must upload a CV (including specialist registration details) and a cover letter of no more than two A4 pages, demonstrating how you meet the person specification requirements. Your application should clearly show how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.
Recruitment Timeline:
- Advert close date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 17th June 2026
- Stakeholder panel: Tuesday 30th June 2026 via MS Teams
- Interview: Thursday 2nd July 2026 at 160 Tooley Street Council Offices
The interview process will include an interview panel, as well as a stakeholder panel. If you are successful in securing an interview, full details will be shared with you at that stage. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications have been received. We therefore strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £86,652 - £108,462
Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health employer: Southwark Council
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that prioritises the well-being of its employees. With a strong focus on professional development and collaboration across various sectors, employees in the Public Health division have the unique opportunity to lead transformative health initiatives that directly impact the lives of over 314,000 residents in one of London's most vibrant boroughs. The council's commitment to tackling health inequalities and promoting community engagement ensures that every team member plays a vital role in shaping a healthier future for Southwark.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in public health, especially those who work in Southwark or similar boroughs. Attend local events or webinars to meet people and get the inside scoop on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest public health initiatives in Southwark. Show that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about tackling health inequalities in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role’s requirements. Highlight your leadership skills and any innovative projects you've led that made a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in public health.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your relevant experience in public health and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to tackle health inequalities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a summary of your CV. Use it to tell us why you're passionate about public health and how you can contribute to our goals in Southwark. Keep it concise, but make it impactful!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive change. Use metrics where possible to show the impact of your work. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key issues surrounding public health, especially those affecting Southwark. Brush up on recent statistics, policies, and initiatives related to health inequalities and system-wide changes. This will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in driving change and improving outcomes, particularly in multidisciplinary settings. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire others and manage competing priorities effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach collaboration with various stakeholders, including NHS Trusts and community organisations. Prepare to discuss your strategies for influencing and negotiating within complex environments. This will demonstrate your ability to work across organisational boundaries.
✨Cultural Awareness is Key
Given the diverse population of Southwark, it’s crucial to show your understanding of cultural sensitivity and political awareness. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve navigated these aspects in previous roles and how you plan to address health inequalities in a culturally competent manner.
