Director of Public Health

At Surrey County Council, we are committed to empowering our communities, supporting our residents to lead healthy and fulfilling lives and ensuring no one is left behind. As such, we're recruiting for a Director of Public Health and Communities - a system leader for improving the health and wellbeing of our residents, reducing inequalities in health outcomes and protecting local communities from public health hazards. The role is a statutory Chief Officer post and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members, officers and partners. We're looking for a strategic leader who can deliver local outcomes through forward thinking, transparent and visible leadership.

Please note that this position will occasionally require travel across the County to collaborate with colleagues, services, and partners. Our hybrid working model requests you to work 2 days a week in the office but supports you to work from any UK location outside of the times you need to be physically present at a Surrey site.

Rewards and Benefits:

• 26 days' holiday (pro-rata for part-time staff), increasing to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 days of additional annual leave.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year.
• Paternity, adoption, and dependants leave.
• Generous local government salary-related pension.
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping, and more.
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.
• Access to a learning and development hub with a wealth of resources.

About the Role

The Director of Public Health and Communities will lead and oversee all local authority duties aimed at improving public health. This role includes managing public health protection and health improvement functions delegated by the Secretary of State, including mandated services under relevant regulations. The Director will also be responsible for planning and responding to public health emergencies, collaborating with police, probation, and prison services to assess risks appropriately.

Responsibilities will also include implementing strategies to improve health and reduce inequalities, coordinating disease prevention programmes, and ensuring compliance with public health legislation. The Director will also produce an independent annual report detailing the health status, challenges, and progress of local communities.

You will oversee key community functions including Community Investment, Partnerships, Prevention, and Targeted Support, ensuring services are inclusive, effective, and responsive to local needs. Working collaboratively across council directorates, partners, and with local communities, you will champion innovative, community-led approaches that enhance capacity, tackle the wider determinants of health, and promote sustainable, cohesive neighbourhoods.

We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader who possesses exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team. They will demonstrate a strong and impactful commitment to public health, with a focus on improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities within local communities.

The Director will be a collaborative leader, capable of working effectively with a wide range of partners including ICBs, NHS providers and the community and voluntary sector. They will have a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies that promote health and wellbeing and will be adept at navigating complex political and financial environments.

Your strong communication and interpersonal skills will be essential, as the Director will need to engage and influence at all levels, from frontline staff to senior leaders and members. They will exemplify their values of integrity, accountability, and excellence whilst fostering a forward-thinking and outcomes focussed culture.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate the following:

• Your excellent strategic leadership with a proven ability to inspire and motivate teams particularly through change.
• Your outcome focussed nature with examples of where you have successfully implemented best practices in public health.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within public health services.

That you are a registered public health specialist on the GMC Specialist Register, the GDC Specialist List or the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR).

Contact Us

For an informal conversation about this role, please contact Dawn Faulkner at or by phone on .

In order to apply, please click here.

Indicative Timetable:

• Closing date for applications: Monday 25 August 2025.
• Longlisting: Friday 29 August 2025.
• Preliminary interviews (via Microsoft Teams): Monday 8 September 2025 (PM).
• Shortlisting: Friday 12 September 2025.
• Officer panel assessments (in Reigate): Monday 6 October 2025 (PM).
• Final interview panel with members (in Reigate): TBC.