The Director of Public Health is the system leader for improving the health and wellbeing of residents, reducing inequalities in health outcomes and protecting local communities from public health hazards (infectious diseases and environmental threats). As such, the Director of Public Health is a statutory chief officer of the authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members, officers and partners, with a leadership role spanning health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health. The role has never been more important than in response to the Covid pandemic, and in ensuring that in recovery we focus on disproportionate impact and health inequalities so that everyone has a great start to life and can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Working within a complex environment, alongside political leaders and a broad range of partners from CCG, NHS bodies and the private sector, you will provide clear strategic direction, driving forward initiatives that help us deliver the objectives of our Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This will be achieved by working inclusively and collaboratively to cultivate strong working relationships, with the ability to challenge and influence process with authority to secure the best possible outcomes that provide public value and efficiency.

You will recognise the power and benefit of global, national and local insight to help inform decisions and understand the importance of looking at innovative approaches and best practice beyond the boundaries of the council and how this intelligence led approach could help Southwark to deliver improved local outcomes for our residents.

For more information on Southwark and these positions, please reach out to our search partner Dawar Hashmi.