Job summary The Director of Public Health is the system leader for improving the health and wellbeing of residents, including inequalities in health outcomes and protecting local communities from public health hazards (infectious diseases and environmental threats). The Director of Public Health is a statutory chief officer of their authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members and officers, with a leadership role spanning all three domains of public health: health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health. In order to deliver their responsibilities on behalf of the residents of East Cheshire the DPH will need to be a visible system leader in the health and wellbeing partnership arrangements. The DPH will be expected to use all the resources at their disposal to ensure that the local public health system is able to tackle the full range of determinants of health affecting communities in East Cheshire. Working with local communities, he/she should be able to inspire the development of innovative solutions that support the improvements in health and wellbeing and reduction in health inequalities whilst at the same time maintaining the confidence of councillors and government. Main duties of the job To fulfil the statutory role of Director of Public Health (as above) and be accountable via the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Integration to the Chief Executive / Leader of the Council and elected members with direct access to the Chief Executive / Leader of the Council as required. Be the chief officer and principal adviser on public health to the Council, local communities and local partners. To protect and improve the health of the population, provide advice on health services and deliver statutory and mandated responsibilities. To lead the service area by turning strategy into successful delivery. To act as a leader across the local system of public health, influencing change and enabling a culture of continuous improvement in health and wellbeing, innovation and evaluation. Utilise the public health resources imaginatively and cost effectively across all domains of public health in order to improve health and wellbeing of local communities and reduce inequalities in health outcomes. Accountable for both the shaping and delivery of the Health and Wellbeing agenda taking account of the national agenda and benchmarking (using the national outcomes frameworks for public health, social care and the NHS). To produce, as required in statute, the independent DPH annual report on the health of the population in East Cheshire to stimulate debate and or action by the Council and partners. About us At Cheshire East Council we are resident and partner focused with a vision to enable prosperity and wellbeing for all. People really are at the heart of everything we do and that starts with our incredible workforce. We promote a culture of high performance where people can aspire, thrive and flourish, where we strive to deliver best value in everything we do. For us, success isnt just about what we achieve, but how we achieve it together. We promote curiosity, excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. We are values led and committed to wellbeing and inclusion for all, where our employees co-created our values of drive, integrity, respect and collaboration which inform all that we do. We are proud to work for Cheshire East Council and believe you would be too, so come and join us! Join us on a meaningful journey at Cheshire East Council Join a team thats compassionate, forward-thinking and deeply committed to making a difference. Our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and your role will be a key part of our transformation journey. This is your chance to be part of something meaningful where your ideas, energy and work can create real impact every day. Details Date posted 19 November 2025 Pay scheme Very senior manager (VSM) Salary £100,993 to £119,532 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number F0133-3382 Job locations Delamere House Delamere Street Crewe Cheshire CW1 2JZ Job description Job responsibilities The Director of Public Health is the system leader for improving the health and wellbeing of residents, including inequalities in health outcomes and protecting local communities from public health hazards (infectious diseases and environmental threats). The Director of Public Health is a statutory chief officer of their authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members and officers, with a leadership role spanning all three domains of public health: health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health. Section 73A(1) of the NHS Act 2006, inserted by section 30 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, gives the Director of Public Health responsibility for: all of their local authoritys duties to take steps to improve public health any of the Secretary of States public health protection or health improvement functions that s/he delegates to local authorities, either by arrangement or under regulations these include services mandated by regulations made under section 6C of the 2006 Act, inserted by section 18 of the 2012 Act exercising their local authoritys functions in planning for, and responding to, emergencies that present a risk to public health their local authoritys role in co-operating with the police, the probation service and the prison service to assess the risks posed by violent or sexual offenders such other public health functions as the Secretary of State specifies in regulations, including producing an independent annual report on the health of local communities. In order to deliver their responsibilities on behalf of the residents of East Cheshire the DPH will need to be a visible system leader in the health and wellbeing partnership arrangements. The DPH will be expected to use all the resources at their disposal to ensure that the local public health system is able to tackle the full range of determinants of health affecting communities in East Cheshire. Working with local communities, he/she should be able to inspire the development of innovative solutions that support the improvements in health and wellbeing and reduction in health inequalities whilst at the same time maintaining the confidence of councillors and government. Job description Job responsibilities The Director of Public Health is the system leader for improving the health and wellbeing of residents, including inequalities in health outcomes and protecting local communities from public health hazards (infectious diseases and environmental threats). The Director of Public Health is a statutory chief officer of their authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members and officers, with a leadership role spanning all three domains of public health: health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health. Section 73A(1) of the NHS Act 2006, inserted by section 30 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, gives the Director of Public Health responsibility for: all of their local authoritys duties to take steps to improve public health any of the Secretary of States public health protection or health improvement functions that s/he delegates to local authorities, either by arrangement or under regulations these include services mandated by regulations made under section 6C of the 2006 Act, inserted by section 18 of the 2012 Act exercising their local authoritys functions in planning for, and responding to, emergencies that present a risk to public health their local authoritys role in co-operating with the police, the probation service and the prison service to assess the risks posed by violent or sexual offenders such other public health functions as the Secretary of State specifies in regulations, including producing an independent annual report on the health of local communities. In order to deliver their responsibilities on behalf of the residents of East Cheshire the DPH will need to be a visible system leader in the health and wellbeing partnership arrangements. The DPH will be expected to use all the resources at their disposal to ensure that the local public health system is able to tackle the full range of determinants of health affecting communities in East Cheshire. Working with local communities, he/she should be able to inspire the development of innovative solutions that support the improvements in health and wellbeing and reduction in health inequalities whilst at the same time maintaining the confidence of councillors and government. Person Specification Experience Essential Evidence of developing and delivering a performance culture and achieving significant change management programmes. Direct involvement in leading the development of policy in a politically sensitive organisation. A successful track record in developing effective working alliances together with a proven ability to network. Extensive management experience at senior level in a large complex and ideally demographically accountable organisation. Experience developing external partnerships, with other organisations and stakeholders, to deliver key strategies and programmes. Experience of customer engagement and advocacy in continually improving services. A proven track record in delivering efficiencies and ensuring value for money services. Desirable Extensive experience of public health practice at a senior level Knowledge Essential Knowledge of local authority and wider public sector strategies and initiatives. Understanding of NHS and local government cultures, structures and policies High level of understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation. Full understanding of and commitment to delivery of improved health through mainstream NHS activities Knowledge of methods of developing clinical quality assurance, quality improvement and evidence based clinical and or public health practice. Understanding of interfaces between health and social care. Skills Essential Political awareness with experience of working in complex political and social environments. Demonstrable abilities in developing a vision, strategic thinking and planning solutions, showing an understanding of and responsiveness to the needs of communities. Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others, by example. Effective influencing skills Demonstrable ability as a forward-thinker with an innovative approach, able to conceive, develop and implement new initiatives, and manage change. First-class presentation skills (written and oral). Be committed to working as part of one team. Ability to work under exceptional pressure. An effective, persuasive, clear and constructive communicator at all levels (including dealing with the media, as requested). Ability to make decisions and take responsibility for actions. Effective interpersonal skills: a strong networker able to build relationships with mutual confidence, honesty and respect. Substantially numerate with highly developed analytical skills using qualitative and quantitative data Training and mentoring skills Ability to travel across Cheshire. Computer literate and competent with use of Microsoft Office Qualifications Essential Management qualification at degree level or demonstrable equivalent experience. Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice/GDC Specialist List/UKPHR (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) or Inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) If included in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in a specialty other than public health medicine/dental public health, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice Public health specialty registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in dental public health/UKPHR must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC/GDC/UKPHR specialist registers If an applicant is UK trained in Public Health, they must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body. Desirable Post graduate degree / MPH or equivalent degree MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment Person Specification Experience Essential Evidence of developing and delivering a performance culture and achieving significant change management programmes. Direct involvement in leading the development of policy in a politically sensitive organisation. A successful track record in developing effective working alliances together with a proven ability to network. Extensive management experience at senior level in a large complex and ideally demographically accountable organisation. Experience developing external partnerships, with other organisations and stakeholders, to deliver key strategies and programmes. Experience of customer engagement and advocacy in continually improving services. A proven track record in delivering efficiencies and ensuring value for money services. Desirable Extensive experience of public health practice at a senior level Knowledge Essential Knowledge of local authority and wider public sector strategies and initiatives. Understanding of NHS and local government cultures, structures and policies High level of understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation. Full understanding of and commitment to delivery of improved health through mainstream NHS activities Knowledge of methods of developing clinical quality assurance, quality improvement and evidence based clinical and or public health practice. Understanding of interfaces between health and social care. Skills Essential Political awareness with experience of working in complex political and social environments. Demonstrable abilities in developing a vision, strategic thinking and planning solutions, showing an understanding of and responsiveness to the needs of communities. Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others, by example. Effective influencing skills Demonstrable ability as a forward-thinker with an innovative approach, able to conceive, develop and implement new initiatives, and manage change. First-class presentation skills (written and oral). Be committed to working as part of one team. Ability to work under exceptional pressure. An effective, persuasive, clear and constructive communicator at all levels (including dealing with the media, as requested). Ability to make decisions and take responsibility for actions. Effective interpersonal skills: a strong networker able to build relationships with mutual confidence, honesty and respect. Substantially numerate with highly developed analytical skills using qualitative and quantitative data Training and mentoring skills Ability to travel across Cheshire. Computer literate and competent with use of Microsoft Office Qualifications Essential Management qualification at degree level or demonstrable equivalent experience. Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice/GDC Specialist List/UKPHR (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) or Inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview) If included in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in a specialty other than public health medicine/dental public health, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice Public health specialty registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in dental public health/UKPHR must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC/GDC/UKPHR specialist registers If an applicant is UK trained in Public Health, they must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body. Desirable Post graduate degree / MPH or equivalent degree MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. 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 Cheshire East Council Address Delamere House Delamere Street Crewe Cheshire CW1 2JZ Employer's website https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Cheshire East Council Address Delamere House Delamere Street Crewe Cheshire CW1 2JZ Employer's website https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)