Director of Public Health - Isle of Wight Council

Transform Tomorrow: Shape Health, Enhance Wellbeing

We are launching a brand-new Public Health service, moving away from our current partnership with Hampshire County Council.  Our aim is to bring deeper focus to the unique challenges facing our Island community, with specific initiatives and programmes that align with our residents and tourists.

There will be a clear focus on the communities that are at the heart of our Island and how we can build capability and independence, improve outcomes for our children and create healthy environments through having a community centred approach to health and wellbeing. 

To achieve our goals and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, we need to engage a confident and capable Director of Public Health, who will lead the way in shaping this new local service area.  

The Director of Public Health will be a statutory chief officer of the authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members, officers, and partners.

This is a strategic post for the Island, which has a unique set of challenges, and offers you potential career growth and progression as you take the lead on health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health with a real community focus.

As our new Director of Public Health, you’ll be 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).

You’ll need to be an exceptional leader, with superb communication skills, able to engage, inspire and influence as you build on relationships with the public, media and partnership organisations including the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England and UKHSA

We want you to challenge traditional thinking and identify risk aware innovative solutions that enhance the potential for improvement.

You’ll take a collaborative approach to deliver our ambitious Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Download the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Isle of Wight (PDF, 728KB)

We are in the unique position of being able to offer this role on a reduced hours basis, if preferred, for the right applicant. This would be circa 30 hours per week, and will give the postholder a rare opportunity to be able to work at this level whilst also being able to embrace a rewarding work-life balance with more time to enjoy the lifestyle available here on the Isle of Wight

For an informal discussion about the position and for any queries, please contact [email protected] and we will arrange a virtual appointment.

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HOW TO APPLY

Ensure you have fully read the 'Job Summary' for this post prior to application.

To apply for this position, please provide us with the following via email:

1.    Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than 4 sides of A4

2.    GMC, GDC or UKPHR registration number

3.    Covering statement to be no more than 4 sides of A4

4.    2 x referee contact details (let us know if we can contact prior to interview)

Clearly demonstrate in your CV and / or covering statement where you meet the essential and desirable requirements as set out in the Job Summary.

Disability Confident Scheme

We are a Disability Confident Employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled within your covering statement, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

Let us know of any reasonable adjustments that you may require to ensure you are comfortable and able to fully participate in the process from application to interview.

Send all the above application details in one email to [email protected]

If you would like an informal chat about this position, contact our recruitment team

We are planning to interview in early April 2025 with a view to the successful candidate starting in post on or before 01 August 2025.

Closing date: 16 March 2025

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Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000
• Travel allowance if commuting from the mainland

Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island.

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination and this is supported by the Unacceptable Behaviour Policy, Employee Code of Conduct and Behaviours Framework. We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and we provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [email protected] if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunities employer. We are proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

Only applications submitted by the closing date will be accepted.