Job summary
The Regional Director of Public Health (RDPH) is DHSCs senior public health representative in the East of England. As both the DHSC (OHID) and NHS Regional Director of Public Health and the NHS Regional Director of Public Health, the role requires public health expertise and exceptional leadership ability. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and to the NHS Regional Director (East of England), the RDPH leads the regional OHID and NHSE public health teams and provides strategic expertise on health improvement, healthcare quality and health inequalities.
The DHSC Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) leads the Governments health improvement and inequalities work. Under the professional leadership of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), OHID develops and delivers crossgovernment action to improve health outcomes, focusing on the shift to prevention and reducing health inequalities. The RDPH plays a vital role in the development and delivery of national OHID policy and programmes.
As part of the regional NHS East of England Executive team, the RDPH provides senior public health leadership across DHSC, OHID and NHSE, leading on regional population health strategy. They provide a public health perspective to performance and oversight including impact on population outcomes, reducing inequalities and shifting to prevention.
Main duties of the job
The role ensures alignment between national policy and regional and local delivery, working with mayors, local government, NHS partners and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
The key areas of focus for the interim role includes -
* 1. Leadership and management of the DHSC/OHID and NHSE Public Health teams to ensure business continuity and delivery of current organisational objectives.
* 2. Managing the ongoing transformation programme, particularly the implementation of the NHSE Regional Model Blueprint.
* 3. Strengthening the "one Public Health East of England" way of working across the DHSC/OHID and NHSE Public Health teams.
* 4. Enhancing partnership and collaborative initiatives with stakeholders across the wider regional health systems including ADPH, ICBs, academia and VCSE.
About us
The Office of Health and Disparities (OHID) in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) drives the Governments health improvement agenda. Under the professional leadership of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), OHID will lead the development and delivery of the Governments work to improve and level up health outcomes with a clear focus on public health, prevention and health disparities. This includes cross-government action on the wider determinants of health.
To apply, please submit:
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
*Please copy your CV, followed by Statement of Suitability into the text box available on NHS Jobs. There is no option to upload separate documents*
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the essential criteria.
Details
* Date posted: 16 March 2026
* Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
* Salary: £100,000 to £131,300 a year
* Contract: Fixed term
* Duration: 6 months
* Working pattern: Full-time
* Reference number: G0001-26-0001
Job locations
* Nhs Victoria House
* Cambridge Road
* Fulbourn
* Cambridge
* CB21 5XA
Job responsibilities
Overseeing and steering an effective programme of action across the region that delivers on OHIDs national priorities for prevention and health disparities and NHSEs objectives for prevention in the regions.
The RDPH will work closely with national health improvement policy and system strategy teams to support the translation and delivery of national public health priorities in places and assure the effective delivery of public health programmes. This includes acting as a regional lead on specific national programmes on behalf of other RDsPH and working with local system partners to deliver them, developing innovative solutions to complex challenges and sharing best practice.
Qualifications
* Qualifications:
* Registration with the GMC Full and Specialist Register (with licence to practise), GDC Specialist List, or UKPHR is required for Public Health Specialists.
* Membership of the Faculty of Public Health by exam or exemption is essential.
* Must meet the Faculty of Public Health Person Specification for consultant appointment and demonstrate completion of minimum CPD requirements.
Knowledge and Skills
* Communication - Skilled in navigating politically sensitive environments, managing media, presenting to large groups, and handling complex public situations for DHSC and NHSE. Delivers clear, concise communications to ministers, senior leaders, and stakeholders.
* Policy and programme development - Demonstrates a strong grasp of national policy and its impact on local delivery across DHSC and NHS. Leads complex programmes using advanced analytical skills to advise ministers and senior leaders, even with incomplete information. Shows strategic vision, political awareness, and adapts plans across varying timeframes in dynamic environments.
* Leadership - Demonstrates integrity, inclusivity, and champions diversity. Maintains self-awareness and cultural sensitivity while modelling professionalism. Sets direction, develops talent, and supports teams across OHID, NHSE regions, and partners. Develops and maintains strong relationships with ministers, colleagues and partners; inspires confidence at all levels. Effectively balances strategic and operational needs through delegation and management. Shows resilience, sound judgment, and adaptability in complex settings.
* Values - Maintains high professional and civil service standards. Prioritizes quality, impact on public health outcomes and reducing inequalities. Works well with others and encourages teamwork. Works collaboratively with both external and internal partners. Continuously improves performance using effective strategies and new ideas.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Department of Health & Social Care
Nhs Victoria House
Cambridge Road
Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB21 5XA
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care (Opens in a new tab)
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