Central Bedfordshire Council

Public Health Principal Drug & Alcohol

The closing date is 19 April 2026

Job summary

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE YOU WILL NEED TO APPY VIA THE CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL'S CAREERS SITE. PLEASE DO NOT USE THE GREEN 'APPLY FOR THIS JOB' BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE, BUT USE THE SUPPORTING LINK FOR CBC CAREERS WEBSITE WHICH IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE, HALF WAY DOWN UNDER THE SUPPORTING LINKS HEADER.

This is crucial and exciting Shared Service role within the Public Health directorate, managing the drug & alcohol treatment and recovery commissioning team in Public Health and collaborating with key partner agencies across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Main duties of the job

The role will:

Work with the Head of Public Health Programmes to provide strategic leadership and management of complex public health programmes and plans, across the system (including health, criminal justice, housing, community safety, adult social care, childrens services), to address the wider drug and alcohol related harms in Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Milton Keynes Local Authority Areas, on behalf of the Public Health Shared Service, across the South East and East of England Regions.

About us

Central Bedfordshire is an ambitious authority, determined to be an exemplary one. We provide excellent quality, reliable services, have robust financial management, and our residents love where they live 9 out of 10 residents tell us so. We have over 3000 staff members working for us and helping deliver a great service to our residents.

We also invest in our communities longer term with a significant capital programme to deliver some key infrastructure projects including roads, schools, leisure centres, care homes, independent living schemes, integrated health and care hubs, housing and much more.

We have a reputation for getting things done. If you are looking for a change in career, or an opportunity to progress your career with us, we have a variety of roles currently available that might be perfect for you!

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,471 to £55,585 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0068-26-0002

Job locations

Priory House, Monks Walk

Chicksands

Shefford

Bedfordshire

SG17 5TQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Qualifications and Experience

The post-holder is required to have:

  • Experience of commissioninghigh quality services, including needs assessment, procurement and performance management
  • Experience ofleading on the development and delivery of strategic plans
  • Experience of managing complex problems related to the access to, delivery of, quality of and effectiveness of services across the system
  • Experience of working strategically and collaboratively with senior partners and stakeholders to co-ordinate and utilise both significant Public Health resources and those available to the key system-wide stakeholders
  • Experience ofbudgetmanagement,in line with financial, legal and audit requirements
  • Public Health professional knowledge (preferably knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery)
  • Masters-level education and/or relevant professional qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Experience of delivering or facilitating high profile and wide-ranging customer focused outcomes in line with specified needs, standards, policies, processes and legislation
  • Experience of delivering support and advice that meet a wide range of standards and requirements, providing recommendations and solutions in relation to complex and high-risk matters
  • Experience of providing strategic representation at high level meetings, groups or boards.
  • Ability to make evidence-based recommendations, identified through a range of research and evaluation techniques which support objectives and outcomes
  • Experience of managing a team, including effective delegation and supporting staff development, and managing performance using HR processes where appropriate
  • Experience of synthesising and writing high-level reports, documentation and information for a range of customers, to a high standard
  • Understanding of the requirements of working in a local authority and a political environment particularly related to the wider Public Health agenda

Job description

Job responsibilities

Qualifications and Experience

The post-holder is required to have:

  • Experience of commissioninghigh quality services, including needs assessment, procurement and performance management
  • Experience ofleading on the development and delivery of strategic plans
  • Experience of managing complex problems related to the access to, delivery of, quality of and effectiveness of services across the system
  • Experience of working strategically and collaboratively with senior partners and stakeholders to co-ordinate and utilise both significant Public Health resources and those available to the key system-wide stakeholders
  • Experience ofbudgetmanagement,in line with financial, legal and audit requirements
  • Public Health professional knowledge (preferably knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery)
  • Masters-level education and/or relevant professional qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Experience of delivering or facilitating high profile and wide-ranging customer focused outcomes in line with specified needs, standards, policies, processes and legislation
  • Experience of delivering support and advice that meet a wide range of standards and requirements, providing recommendations and solutions in relation to complex and high-risk matters
  • Experience of providing strategic representation at high level meetings, groups or boards.
  • Ability to make evidence-based recommendations, identified through a range of research and evaluation techniques which support objectives and outcomes
  • Experience of managing a team, including effective delegation and supporting staff development, and managing performance using HR processes where appropriate
  • Experience of synthesising and writing high-level reports, documentation and information for a range of customers, to a high standard
  • Understanding of the requirements of working in a local authority and a political environment particularly related to the wider Public Health agenda

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of commissioning high quality services, including needs assessment, procurement and performance management

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters-level education and/or relevant professional qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Experience of managing a team, including effective delegation and supporting staff development, and managing performance using HR processes where appropriate
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of commissioning high quality services, including needs assessment, procurement and performance management

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters-level education and/or relevant professional qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Experience of managing a team, including effective delegation and supporting staff development, and managing performance using HR processes where appropriate

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Central Bedfordshire Council

Address

Priory House, Monks Walk

Chicksands

Shefford

Bedfordshire

SG17 5TQ


Employer's website

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Central Bedfordshire Council

Address

Priory House, Monks Walk

Chicksands

Shefford

Bedfordshire

SG17 5TQ


Employer's website

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Martin Westerby

martin.westerby@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

03003004615

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,471 to £55,585 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0068-26-0002

Job locations

Priory House, Monks Walk

Chicksands

Shefford

Bedfordshire

SG17 5TQ


Privacy notice

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