Director of Public Health & Wellbeing
Lead Public Health. Shape Dudley’s Future. Reduce Inequalities.
Dudley is a borough with deep heritage, strong communities and a clear ambition: to improve the lives and life chances of every resident. As we reshape our Council and strengthen our place-based approach, we are seeking a dynamic Director for Public Health who will drive better health outcomes and narrow the inequality gap for our 330,000 residents.
THE VACANCY
Director of Public Health & Wellbeing
Salary: £108,015 – £118,680 (Chief Officer 3)
Location: Dudley MBC
Reporting to: Group Director – Social Care & Wellbeing
Professionally accountable to: The Council & the Regional Director of Public Health on behalf of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
This is a pivotal, statutory leadership role — the Council’s chief public health adviser — responsible for setting strategic direction, shaping system-wide action, and ensuring that public health is at the heart of decision‑making across the borough.
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As our Director for Public Health, you will:
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Lead a bold, place‑based strategy to improve population health, tackle entrenched inequalities and ensure every community benefits from better access, better outcomes and better opportunities.
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Drive transformation across Public Health & wellbeing, with a clear focus on workforce (directly managed and through matrix management) using insight, innovation and a high‑performance culture to modernise how we deliver for residents.
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Shape and contribute to the Council’s Improvement Programme and the NHS 10-year plan, ensuring health improvement and prevention are embedded across all services.
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Strengthen whole‑system partnerships across the NHS, UKHSA, ICS/ICB, voluntary sector and regional partners to deliver integrated, neighbourhood‑level solutions.
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Provide robust stewardship of the £25m+ Public Health Grant, ensuring resources are aligned to the greatest needs and deliver maximum impact.
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Lead health protection, public health elements of emergency planning and resilience, including co‑chairing the Local Health Resilience Forum, part of key social care and partnership bodies and working both regionally and nationally to evidence the outcome focussed approach the borough is taking and impact felt.
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Produce the independent Annual Public Health Report and ensure delivery of the statutory public health “core offer”.
You will be an influential, forward‑thinking public health leader who brings:
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Inclusion on the GMC/GDC Specialist Register or UKPHR (at the point of application).
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Significant senior leadership experience across epidemiology, health protection, health improvement and system‑wide integration.
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A proven track record of leading large‑scale change in complex, political environments.
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Outstanding partnership‑building skills, financial acumen and the credibility to influence at the highest levels.
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A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion — with a passion for improving outcomes for the most disadvantaged communities.
For an informal discussion please contact Balvinder Heran, Chief Executive, via Jo Cook –Joanne.Cook@dudley.gov.uk
Application Process
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Applications close: Tuesday 3 March 2026.
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Please submit your CV and supporting statement/summary with your application.
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The recruitment process will be to undertake technical interviews with longlisted applicants to confirm the shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment centres, stakeholder panels and attend final interviews. Please indicate any periods you are unavailable.