Public Health Principal

About Us

This is a hugely exciting time to be working in Public Health in Oxfordshire.

The County Council is committed to tackling climate change; shaping the environment to encourage active, healthy & inclusive lives; shifting services to focus on more preventative approaches; and closing the health gap between different communities. Oxfordshire is also a Marmot Place committed to embedding the shift towards more preventative approaches and closing the health inequalities gap between different communities

We have strong systemwide partnerships including the Health & Wellbeing Board and the Oxfordshire Place Based Partnership, delivering the Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy. This is made possible through established working relationships right across the Oxfordshire system, including the Integrated Care System. We are also developing growing research ambitions with local universities.

To deliver this vision, we are looking for a dynamic public health professionals to join our team as a Public Health Principal. The role will lead on defined portfolios of work ensuring it delivers improved health outcomes for Oxfordshire residents.

We are recruiting for two Public Health Principal roles within our Public Health Service Area. We are looking for a Public Health Principal in our Start Well Team and a Public Health Principal in our Live Well, Improve and Enable Team. For more information on both teams please see the attached information document.

Please specify which team you would prefer to work alongside as part of your application.

About the Role

This role provides strategic leadership for a portfolio of public health programmes that improve health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce inequalities across Oxfordshire. The post holder will lead the development, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based public health strategies, ensuring alignment with local priorities and wider system objectives.

Working within a complex partnership environment, the post holder will provide leadership across a range of public health priorities, using intelligence, evidence and insight to inform decision-making, service development and system change. The role requires strong collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships and drive improvements in population health outcomes.

The post holder will drive strategy, commissioning and partnership working across health, local government, education, early years and the voluntary, community and faith sector, ensuring services are evidence-based, responsive to local need and aligned with wider system priorities.

The role will be responsible for end-to-end commissioning and performance management of services, ensuring alignment with wider public health priorities and system pathways. It includes line management responsibilities and matrix working across the wider Public Health team to deliver shared objectives. Financial responsibilities will include accountability for commissioned service budgets and grant funding allocated through the Public Health Grant and national programmes.

About you

As a public health professional, you will have skills and experience leading strategy development and delivery in a public health area. Applicants will have excellent organisational and communication skills plus an ability to work under pressure and to professionally deal with challenging situations.

The successful candidates will have:

• A Degree in a field related to Public Health or equivalent professional qualification/registration in a field related to Public Health (e.g. UKPHR registered Public Health Practitioner), alongside a postgraduate qualification (Masters Level) relevant to public health.
• Extensive experience of commissioning services in the public sector
• Ability to make clear management and financial decisions
• Ability to manage staff towards high performance, offering flexible and positive leadership which encourages excellent results
• Knowledge & experience of assessing, and evidencing areas of need and designing and commissioning provision to meet identified need
• Ability to manage several complex work programmes covering a wide range of targets
• Experience of working with partners from a range of agencies including NHS, social care, criminal justice, and the voluntary sector.

Rewards and benefits

Working for Oxfordshire County Council means working for a supportive organisation that values flexibility, wellbeing, and professional development. As an employee you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of employee benefits including flexible working options, professional learning opportunities, staff networks, and wellbeing resources. You will be part of a team that invests in your growth and empowers you to make a meaningful impact across the organisation.

Our approach to hybrid working aims to balance flexibility with the benefits of face-to-face working. Team members are normally expected to attend their designated office location 2–3 days per week, subject to operational requirements.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

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If you want to find out more please contact donna.husband@oxfordshire.gov.uk and serena.abel@oxfordshire.gov.uk