Wigan Council is an amazing place to get great things done. We have a culture that fosters positivity, courage, accountability and kindness. Our asset-based approach and the working principles in the Wigan Deal are already well respected but we know we can do more to ensure our residents and communities are supported to live their best lives; being healthy and happy in ways that work for them. We are now looking for our next Director of Public Health to bring their insight and professional excellence to join the senior team, leading and working through the integrated and embedded public health teams we have established. Wigan borough is a proud place, with 14 towns and a population of 325,000 residents. We have a rich history and a vibrant sporting, arts and cultural heritage. Through the Wigan Deal our approach spans wider public services, businesses and communities; capturing a culture that encourages innovation and teamwork. The challenges we have faced and met over the last couple of years have provided a strong test and we are very proud of the local response to dealing with the pandemic, including 900 council employees volunteering to assist critical front-line services and humanitarian support to our communities and residents. You’ll be the kind of leader who can inspire, care and engage with our people to deliver that level of commitment to improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

The Role

Further transforming the health and well-being of our population and improving health, care, and wellness across the borough is a major priority for us, building on a strong platform of success in recent years.  As our Director of Public Health, you will be at the forefront of leading our system wide efforts to make a radical and sustainable impact on population health and wellness, including local leadership of health protection and emergency planning.  You will be a visible system leader alongside NHS colleagues in our Healthier Wigan Partnership arrangements and across Greater Manchester through the GM DsPH network, working to ensure that our public health system delivers improved outcomes. You will inspire development of innovative solutions that deliver improvements in health and wellbeing and a reduction in health inequalities, whilst maintaining the confidence of councillors, local partners and government.

As a statutory chief officer, you will be a senior member of the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate with a reporting line to the Chief Executive, and a key member of the Council Senior Management Team.  This will provide you with the opportunity to effect significant change.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative and forward-thinking public health professional to join a supportive team and make a real mark in a Council with a strong national reputation.  You will have the opportunity to build on our strong track record of successful public health delivery in an experienced, well-resourced and integrated team