WE’RE HIRING! Public Health Specialist Tobacco Control (Bury Council)

Be part of the movement to make a SmokeFree Generation in Bury and Greater Manchester

Are you passionate about improving health, tackling inequalities, and shaping a future where smoking is no longer the biggest cause of preventable death? Do you want to lead bold, system-wide action that transforms lives and supports the national ambition for a SmokeFree Generation and Greater Manchester’s commitment to Making Smoking History?

If so we want, you on our team.

Why this role matters

Bury is already recognised across Greater Manchester for its strong partnerships and progressive public health work. Now, we’re looking for an energetic, driven and visionary Public Health Specialist to accelerate local action on tobacco control at one of the most pivotal times for national and regional policy.

You will be at the heart of delivering Bury’s contributions to:
The Government’s SmokeFree Generation plans
GMCA’s Making Smoking History programme
A strong local system dedicated to prevention, protection, and support

What you’ll lead

This is a rare opportunity to shape a dynamic, wholesystem approach to tobacco control. You’ll drive highimpact work including:

Strengthening Stop Smoking Support

Build on our excellent local service delivery, ensuring evidence-based, person-centred support reaches those who need it most.

Leading and energising the Bury Tobacco Alliance

Bring partners together across the borough to coordinate action, share intelligence, tackle inequalities, and deliver measurable change.

Tackling the rise in youth vaping

Use insight, data and partnership engagement to address concerns around vaping in young people and influence behaviour, policy, and local culture.

Expanding Smoke-Free Spaces

Help shape environments that protect children, denormalise smoking, and promote health across every neighbourhood.

Close collaboration with enforcement partners

Work handinhand with Trading Standards, Greater Manchester enforcement partners, and others to support local preparedness for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and clamp down on illicit tobacco and illegal vape sales.

We’re looking for someone who can:

Confidently analyse, interpret and apply a wide range of data sets, including prevalence, inequalities data, service performance, and behavioural insights.
Understand and address the inequalities that drive smoking, focusing on communities and groups disproportionately affected.
Turn evidence into action strategic, operational, and measurable.

Partnership working is everything

This role thrives on collaboration. You’ll work closely with:

Bury ICB
Bury GP Federation
Voluntary, community and faith sector partners
Internal council teams including Public Health, Community Safety, Education, Environment and more
Neighbourhood Teams and Public Service Leadership Teams
Regional partners through GM Making Smoking History networks

If you love bringing people together, influencing change, and driving a system that delivers better outcomes than the sum of its parts this is the role for you.

What we’re offering

The chance to make a genuine and lasting impact on health in Bury
A supportive, forward-thinking team that values innovation and collaboration
A role at the centre of one of the most ambitious public health agendas in the UK
Opportunities to lead, shape and champion cutting-edge tobacco control work

Ready to help create a smoke-free generation?

This is your moment. Bring your expertise, your energy, and your passion and help drive a healthier future for Bury. Let’s make smoking history. Together.

The post is based at 6 Knowsley Place, Bury, Normal working hours are 37 hours per week, worked flexibly around the needs of the service and includes agile / home working.

In line with safer recruitment, please ensure your application or CV includes your full employment history, with explanations for any gaps. Successful candidates will be required to provide appropriate references.

To read about the wide range of benefits of working for Bury Council, please visit “A Good Employer” on the Greater.jobs website. We support employees to work with agility where appropriate for the post and service requirements.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to becoming an equal and inclusive organisation that recognises, values and celebrates diversity. We guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children who meet the essential criteria.

Normal hours of work are 37 hours per week based around the usual business working week. Dependent on service requirements, you may be required to work on a rota basis.

About Bury
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted.

Please note we are unable to support with sponsorship at this time.

As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver considers our care experienced young people, promotes their life chances empowers them to influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect them, champions their rights, and ensure they grow up in the best possible way

Benefits of working for Bury Council
To hear about the benefits for working with Bury Council, please visit Bury - Home | greater.jobs
We support employees to work with agility, where appropriate for the post and service requirements.
We are committed to Bury being an equal society that recognises values and embraces all people, regardless of any difference, for the skills, abilities and experiences they bring into the workforce and the wider community. Therefore we guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/ care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children if they meet the essential criteria.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Next steps

For an informal chat regarding the role please contact Lee Buggie ( Public Health Specialist ) on l.buggie@bury.gov.uk
Interviews dates TBC

Please use the Person Specific attachment to answer the 4 questions as part of your application.

Great to hear you're interested in joining Bury Public Health. We’re always looking for people who are passionate about improving health, tackling inequalities, and making a real difference in our communities. If you bring enthusiasm, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and a collaborative approach, you’ll be a brilliant fit.

Best of luck with your application we’d be excited to have you as part of the team.

Supporting Documents

↗ Public Health Practitioner - Tobacco Control Job Description and Person Specification
↗ Person Specification
↗ Work Demands