Public Health Strategic Lead for Health Intelligence, Research & Development, Education & Training

Role Responsibility

Kent is the one of the largest local authorities in the UK, with a circa 1.7m population, 12 districts and boroughs, a co-terminus NHS Integrated Care Board, vibrant townships and communities,  being the garden of England and also the gateway to Europe and in turn it's gateway to the UK. With 350 miles of coastline and major coastal inequalities; we are UK's first Marmot Coastal Region. We have two major universities and a medical school, and seven NHS Trusts operating in the county. In Kent size matters and working here gives a consultant in public the biggest possible canvas to work on. 

We are at a very exciting juncture in our public health journey, having just signed off the delivery plan of our Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy which is the blueprint agreed at the senior most leadership levels to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. 

None of this is possible without strong data analytics, useable intelligence, strong evidence, and pragmatic research and innovation

We are looking to expand our highly regarded and well-resourced Public Health team and now have a fantastic opportunity to appoint an innovative and forward-thinking Strategic Lead in Health Intelligence to help us to drive our exciting agenda forward.

We have a highly experienced team working with our Director of Public Health including a Deputy director as well as a number of Public Health consultants all working to achieve the aspirations of our members for improving the health and wellbeing of the Kent population.

Kent Public Health is on track in becoming a Centre of Excellence, undertaking on a range of innovative activities such as advanced analytics using integrated data and offering increased number of education and training placements for multiple professional groups such as junior doctors and university students and has national recognition for several programmes including Public Health research linked with Europe.

We also have the Kent Public Health Observatory team (https://www.kpho.org.uk) who work collaboratively with Public Health colleagues and partners across the Integrated Care System to gather, analyse, and interpret complex data on population health and wellbeing. This insight supports strategic decision-making to ensure the most effective use of limited resources.

We are well integrated into the council, support the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System and have a Public Health commissioning programme of circa £80 million with a major focus on reducing health inequalities.

As part of this role, you will be responsible for the line management of public health specialists as well as a dedicated budget for this area of the service.

This is a great time to join Kent – a great county to live in, its proximity to London, has excellent schools, vibrant cities, golden beaches, and stunning countryside.  As the largest county council in the country, Kent is a very large canvas and there is a real opportunity to make a tangible difference.

Candidates

You will need to have a passion for tackling health inequalities and up for the challenge of working in a complex and diverse environment. looking for an opportunity to make a real impact. As a passionate and motivated public health professional we welcome your interest in this role and your application.

You will be able to work in a hybrid format with a split between working from home with an office base as Maidstone and we are committed to flexible working: "Work that works for you and us – let's talk flexibility!" 

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to participate in enhanced pre-employment screening undertaken by Kent County Council.

Interviews: Friday 1 August 2025

Contact Details

For a confidential discussion, please contact Terry Hall at terry.hall@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.