Public Health Principal
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
Are you looking for a new challenge and next step in your Public Health career? This is an exciting opportunity for the postholder to lead and develop partnerships and programmes of work. The postholder will be working in a number of Place-based public health areas, providing highly specialist knowledge, leadership, strategic direction, policy advice, and support. Working to the Consultant in Public Health (Place) and with the wider public health team, this role will guide and advise others based on sound public health knowledge and evidence. The role will be involved in working with partners to develop long-term strategic plans for the following public health areas for which the role is responsible: Healthy Environments and Opportunities: Addressing the wider determinants of health through joint working with council departments and companies on areas such as housing, planning/licensing, inclusive growth, employment, the food environment, air quality and green spaces. Healthy Places: Public Health input to neighbourhood working, including transformation of how the council provides preventative and early intervention services through a public health approach to prevention as articulated in the Neighbourhood Plan Key priorities with in these portfolios will be scoped and shaped alongside the Consultant in Public Health and key partners.
About you
We are looking for an experienced public health professional with proven ability to influence partners and senior stakeholders across multiple sectors and within complex partnerships, and ability to adapt fluidly to different working cultures. You will have a sound understanding of public health principles, commissioning and project management, and how to use evidence and insight to inform strategic approaches. The ideal candidate will have: Significant experience working in a local authority / place‑based system Experience delivering public health advice in public health planning, regeneration, transport or placemaking , including working with planners and developers Strong understanding of wider determinants of health and healthy environments.
About us
It is an exciting time to come to Barking and Dagenham. The borough is one of the fastest growing areas demographically and physically, which creates exciting opportunities for public health. A recent Local Government Association peer review on Public Health was extremely positive on the work of the Public Health Team and borough, including the Team’s work leading on the development of cross sector place working. With a Gold accreditation in the Investors in People Award, the Council offers a range of benefits to support your work and wellbeing, including a positive approach to flexible working and investment in your learning and development. Our goal is to harness the Borough’s potential as part of London’s growth opportunity and to deliver growth that is inclusive and benefits all our residents. The borough has recently launched a new campaign – It Starts Here. We want our residents to feel proud of where they live. To feel part of the community. To feel like they have a future here. And to feel like the opportunities on offer here – from the Film Studios, to UCL Pearl and the new dentistry school in Barking – are theirs for the taking. The National Framework for Neighbourhood Health is a key vehicle for achieving the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan for England. Barking and Dagenham were one of 43 areas in the UK chosen to take part in the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation pilot. . Public health advice will be key to supporting the transition of learning from the pilot to a new way of working at place, embedding prevention, engaging communities and improving the health of local residents.
Additional Information
If you would like further information on this role, please email neha.shah@lbbd.gov.uk Interviews will take place in early July 2026.