West Berkshire Council

Public Health Principal

The closing date is 26 November 2025

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking three strategic and passionate Public Health Principals to lead and influence programmes that improve and protect the health of our communities. This senior role will drive system-wide action to reduce health inequalities and deliver on the Councils priorities across children, adults, and place-based themes.

Main duties of the job

About the Role

You will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based public health strategies.
  • Lead and manage a team of direct and matrix reports to deliver the portfolio priorities.
  • Provide expert advice across a portfolio of programmes.
  • Commission and evaluate health improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with NHS, VCSE, and community partners.
  • Contribute to health protection, healthcare public health, and research.
  • Youll report to the Service Lead Consultant in Public Health.

About us

At West Berkshire Council, we value your wellbeing and professional growth. Youll benefit from:

  • Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options.
  • Annual pay awards and career development support.
  • Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Retail and gym discounts, plus a Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to Mental Health First Aiders.
  • A culture of collaboration, learning, and community impact.
  • Were proud to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, grow, and make a meaningful difference.
  • You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years service.

Details

Date posted

31 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,356 to £60,771 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0086-05677

Job locations

Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 5LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

West Berkshire Council is seeking three strategic and passionate Public Health Principals to lead and influence programmes that improve and protect the health of our communities. This senior role will drive system-wide action to reduce health inequalities and deliver on the Councils priorities across children, adults, and place-based themes.

Aspart of our decision to implement a new operating model that embeds a Health in All Policies approach across the council, we are currently advertising THREE Public Health Principal roles aligned to the following portfolios:

  • Adults
  • Children
  • Place and Communities

Please indicate in your application which portfolio you are most interested in, and whether you would be willing to be considered for the others.

About the Role

You will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based public health strategies.
  • Lead and manage a team of direct and matrix reports to deliver the portfolio priorities.
  • Provide expert advice across a portfolio of programmes.
  • Commission and evaluate health improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with NHS, VCSE, and community partners.
  • Contribute to health protection, healthcare public health, and research.
  • Youll report to the Service Lead Consultant in Public Health.

What Were Looking For

Youll bring:

  • Registration (or willingness to work towards registration) with the UK Public Health Register.
  • A Masters level qualification in Public Health or a related field.
  • At least three years experience in public health practice.
  • Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Experience managing budgets, contracts, and staff.

About the Public Health Team

West Berkshires Public Health team is a dynamic, forward-thinking group committed to improving population health and reducing inequalities. Led by the Joint Director of Public Health for Reading and West Berkshire, the team brings together expertise across health improvement, health protection, and healthcare public health. We work collaboratively across the council and with system partners to embed public health principles into everything we dodriven by evidence, innovation, and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.

Why Work With Us?

At West Berkshire Council, we value your wellbeing and professional growth. Youll benefit from:

  • Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options.
  • Annual pay awards and career development support.
  • Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Retail and gym discounts, plus a Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to Mental Health First Aiders.
  • A culture of collaboration, learning, and community impact.
  • Were proud to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, grow, and make a meaningful difference.
  • You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide.We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment

For informal enquiries, please contact Steven Bow atsteven.bow1@westberks.gov.uk.

We are ideally looking to offer the successful candidate the full number of hours advertised above. We may however consider offering less hours than advertised providing they meet the requirements of the role and service which will be determined by the recruiting manager

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.

Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here:Working with Us

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

Please now complete a short online application form following this link: https://ce1000li.webitrent.com/ce1000li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=252486050l&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=2909753EUu

You will then be able to upload your CV.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Councilhttps://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications

Job description

Job responsibilities

West Berkshire Council is seeking three strategic and passionate Public Health Principals to lead and influence programmes that improve and protect the health of our communities. This senior role will drive system-wide action to reduce health inequalities and deliver on the Councils priorities across children, adults, and place-based themes.

Aspart of our decision to implement a new operating model that embeds a Health in All Policies approach across the council, we are currently advertising THREE Public Health Principal roles aligned to the following portfolios:

  • Adults
  • Children
  • Place and Communities

Please indicate in your application which portfolio you are most interested in, and whether you would be willing to be considered for the others.

About the Role

You will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based public health strategies.
  • Lead and manage a team of direct and matrix reports to deliver the portfolio priorities.
  • Provide expert advice across a portfolio of programmes.
  • Commission and evaluate health improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with NHS, VCSE, and community partners.
  • Contribute to health protection, healthcare public health, and research.
  • Youll report to the Service Lead Consultant in Public Health.

What Were Looking For

Youll bring:

  • Registration (or willingness to work towards registration) with the UK Public Health Register.
  • A Masters level qualification in Public Health or a related field.
  • At least three years experience in public health practice.
  • Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Experience managing budgets, contracts, and staff.

About the Public Health Team

West Berkshires Public Health team is a dynamic, forward-thinking group committed to improving population health and reducing inequalities. Led by the Joint Director of Public Health for Reading and West Berkshire, the team brings together expertise across health improvement, health protection, and healthcare public health. We work collaboratively across the council and with system partners to embed public health principles into everything we dodriven by evidence, innovation, and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.

Why Work With Us?

At West Berkshire Council, we value your wellbeing and professional growth. Youll benefit from:

  • Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options.
  • Annual pay awards and career development support.
  • Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Retail and gym discounts, plus a Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to Mental Health First Aiders.
  • A culture of collaboration, learning, and community impact.
  • Were proud to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, grow, and make a meaningful difference.
  • You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide.We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment

For informal enquiries, please contact Steven Bow atsteven.bow1@westberks.gov.uk.

We are ideally looking to offer the successful candidate the full number of hours advertised above. We may however consider offering less hours than advertised providing they meet the requirements of the role and service which will be determined by the recruiting manager

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.

Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here:Working with Us

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

Please now complete a short online application form following this link: https://ce1000li.webitrent.com/ce1000li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=252486050l&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=2909753EUu

You will then be able to upload your CV.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Councilhttps://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • On the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) as a Public Health
  • Practitioner or willing to work towards UKPHR Public Health
  • Practitioner registration
  • Masters level post graduate qualification in an area relating to Public
  • Health (or working towards the completion of a Public Health Masters
  • degree)
  • Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development
  • (CPD).
  • Trained in Programme and / or project management

Desirable

  • N/A

Experience

Essential

  • Three years experience working in health improvement, health
  • protection or health care public health with highly specialised
  • knowledge developed across a range of programmes
  • E A
  • Knowledge and experience of working with and influencing a range of
  • organisations, partners and multi-agency groups.
  • E A
  • Experience of writing reports and developing business cases, bids etc. E A
  • Experience of professional practice that follows organisational policies
  • and procedures for the commissioning of public health services with
  • proven ability to performance manage contracts.
  • Experience of managing staff and use of HR policies including
  • recruitment, selection, appraisal, development and performance
  • Knowledge and experience in the management of delegated budgets
  • including budget setting, monitoring and forecasting.
  • Experience of working in a political environment

Desirable

  • Experience of working with councillors and cabinet members in a Local
  • Authority setting.
  • Experience of providing highly specialist advice which facilitates
  • change and supports the health and well-being of individuals, groups
  • and/or communities.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • On the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) as a Public Health
  • Practitioner or willing to work towards UKPHR Public Health
  • Practitioner registration
  • Masters level post graduate qualification in an area relating to Public
  • Health (or working towards the completion of a Public Health Masters
  • degree)
  • Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development
  • (CPD).
  • Trained in Programme and / or project management

Desirable

  • N/A

Experience

Essential

  • Three years experience working in health improvement, health
  • protection or health care public health with highly specialised
  • knowledge developed across a range of programmes
  • E A
  • Knowledge and experience of working with and influencing a range of
  • organisations, partners and multi-agency groups.
  • E A
  • Experience of writing reports and developing business cases, bids etc. E A
  • Experience of professional practice that follows organisational policies
  • and procedures for the commissioning of public health services with
  • proven ability to performance manage contracts.
  • Experience of managing staff and use of HR policies including
  • recruitment, selection, appraisal, development and performance
  • Knowledge and experience in the management of delegated budgets
  • including budget setting, monitoring and forecasting.
  • Experience of working in a political environment

Desirable

  • Experience of working with councillors and cabinet members in a Local
  • Authority setting.
  • Experience of providing highly specialist advice which facilitates
  • change and supports the health and well-being of individuals, groups
  • and/or communities.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Berkshire Council

Address

Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 5LD


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

West Berkshire Council

Address

Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 5LD


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

31 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,356 to £60,771 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0086-05677

Job locations

Council Offices

Market Street

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 5LD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

West Berkshire Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)