Head of Public Health Insight Knowledge, Performance and Research

Directorate: Public Health, Protection and Wellbeing

Section: Public Health

Location: Civic Centre

Grade: SM2

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us:

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

Further information on the Council and our directorates

The Role:

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an exceptional Head of Public Health Insights, Knowledge, Performance and Research (IKPR) to lead a well-established function at a pivotal time for public health and local government.

As a key member of the Directorate leadership team, you will ensure evidence, intelligence and evaluation inform strategic decision-making across the Council and wider health and care system. You will help shape the evidence base that drives action to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for residents.

This is an exciting time to join our Public Health, Protection and Wellbeing Directorate. Our work spans health improvement, protection and the wider determinants of health, including housing, education, employment, communities and the environment. We recognise that improving health outcomes requires more than healthcare alone, and our insight’s function is central to understanding and addressing local challenges. Building on strong partnerships across the Council and health and care system, you will lead the development of advanced analytics, predictive methods, evaluation and research capability, while exploring the effective use of emerging technologies.

You will manage and develop a growing team with a mix of experienced professionals and emerging talent, creating an environment that supports learning, innovation and continuous improvement. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of health intelligence in Stoke-on-Trent, influencing how insight, evidence and innovation are used to improve lives and reduce inequalities across the city.

For an informal discussion, contact Andy Baker (current postholder) at andy.baker@stoke.gov.uk or Ankush Mittal (Consultant in Public Health) at ankush.mittal@stoke.gov.uk

Proposed interview date 18th November 2026

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Public Health Insights, Knowledge, Performance and Research team
• Provide strategic intelligence and evidence to inform decision-making
• Oversee public health research, evaluation and performance reporting
• Drive innovation in data analysis, insight generation and forecasting
• Develop strong partnerships across the Council and health system
• Build and support a high-performing, skilled and motivated team

About You:

• Significant experience in public health intelligence, research or analytics
• Strong understanding of epidemiology, data analysis and evaluation methods
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and strategic decisions
• Successful track record of leading and developing teams
• Passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities through evidence-based practice

What we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here

Pre-Employment Checks:

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

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