Director of Public Health & Wellbeing
Salford Council
It's no Salfordinary City This is a rare and career-defining opportunity to shape the future of public health in one of the UK’s most ambitious and forward-thinking cities. Greater Manchester has been selected as a national Prevention Demonstrator, and Salford is at the forefront of supporting the NHS to deliver its 10-year plan. In response, we are reimagining and elevating the role of Director of Public Health, placing it at the very heart of our organisation and city-wide leadership. Reporting directly to our Chief Executive, Stephen Young, who also serves as the NHS Salford Place Based Lead, you will operate at the centre of local government and health system leadership. This enhanced role offers strategic influence across the whole of Salford’s health and care system, providing you with a platform to lead, innovate and leave a lasting legacy. You will shape and drive the city’s public health agenda across prevention, population health management and wellbeing. Working in close partnership with the NHS, voluntary and community organisations, academic institutions and public services, you will help redefine what place-based leadership can achieve. Together, we will strengthen governance, embed prevention into everything we do, and take bold action to reduce health inequalities and improve the wider determinants of health. As a core member of our Corporate Management Team, you will lead a highly respected, multi-professional public health team with a culture of excellence and collaboration. Salford offers a unique professional environment where research, evaluation and knowledge mobilisation are not optional extras but central to how we lead the city. You will have the opportunity to further develop university-informed, research-based practice and help shape Salford’s ambition to be a true learning organisation. This is more than a statutory leadership role, it is an opportunity to grow your influence across system leadership, deepen your expertise in population health transformation, and work at the cutting edge of national prevention policy. You will be empowered to innovate, to test new approaches, and to build capability across the system while strengthening your own professional portfolio at the highest level. We are seeking an inspiring and values-driven leader who can unite partners, motivate teams and build trusted relationships across complex systems. You will bring a strong track record of strategic impact and transformational change, alongside the credibility and emotional intelligence to operate at board level across sectors. In Salford, you will find a city that is bold, collaborative and determined to tackle inequality head-on. This is your opportunity to make a profound and lasting difference, and to be part of something truly special. For further information go to https://leadersinsalford.info/ or contact our consultants at Penna: Kelly Ridley on 07380 193 343, Julie Towers on 07764 791 736 or Nick Raper on 07715 690 463. The timetable below sets out the key dates in the recruitment process: Closing date for applications - Friday 10th April 2026
Director of Public Health & Wellbeing
Salary: £109,483 - £122,620
Are you the extraordinary leader we need? Join a city that is proud of who we are and excited about where we're going!
Recruitment timeline
Longlist meeting (no candidate involvement)- Thursday 28th May 2026
Shortlist meeting (no candidate involvement) - Tuesday 9th June 2026
Assessment centre - Thursday 11th June or Friday 12th June 2026
Final panel interviews - Monday 15th June 2026Supporting Documents
↗ Director of Public Health & Wellbeing Role Profile
Location
Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford, M275DA, United Kingdom
Job ID
2757
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How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
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Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
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Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
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Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
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Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
