Executive Director of Public Health

Job summary

We are looking for an outstanding and visionary public health leader with significant senior experience in public health, population health and system leadership. You will bring a strong track record of shaping strategy, influencing policy, working across organisational boundaries, and building trusted relationships with partners, communities and stakeholders.

You will be able to operate effectively at Board and system level, providing expert public health advice while balancing strategic leadership with delivery. You will demonstrate a deep commitment to improving population health, reducing inequalities, partnership working, prevention and early intervention, and delivering better outcomes for the communities of Swansea Bay.

Please note all applications for this role must be made through the Hunter Healthcare portal:https://hhmicrosites.com/sbuhb-welcome/sbuhb-executive-director-of-public-health/

Any applications received through NHS Jobs will not be considered

Main duties of the job

• Operate strategically as a member of the corporate management/executive board and across the Health Board influencing policy and practice
• Act as a leader across the local system of public services, influencing change and enabling a culture of continuous improvement in health and wellbeing, innovation and evaluation
• Utilise the public health resources imaginatively and cost effectively across all domains of public health in order to improve health and wellbeing of local communities and reduce inequalities in health outcomes
• Accountable for ensuring an organisational wide approach to population health management, from primary care through clusters and across secondary care
• Accountable for leading the Health Boards approach to increasing focus on disease and illness prevention as part of the population health management approach
• Accountable for both the shaping and delivery of the public / population health and wellbeing agenda taking account of the national agenda and benchmarking (using the national outcomes frameworks; public health, NHS and social care)
• Deliver an independent annual report on the health and wellbeing of local communities for publication, to stimulate debate and/or action by the Health Board and partners
• Lead executive for the Population Health Committee of the Board
• Communicate proactively with the Chief Medical Officer on risks to public health, significant clinical and public health incidents and issues that relate to medical or public health professions

About us

Swansea Bay UHB has a budget of £1.7bn and employs around 14,700 people, making us one of the largest employers in Wales.

We provide NHS care for a population of around 390,000 across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. We also offer a wide range of tertiary services to patients further afield, including burns and plastics, renal, cardiac surgery and specialist neonatal care.

We have three major acute hospitals Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot, and also provide community and mental health care, along with commissioning primary care services.

We have also set up the South West Wales Regional Joint Committee (RJC) with Hywel Dda UHB to provide joint leadership for planning, commissioning, and delivering services across the wider south west Wales region.

Our strategic vision is clear: a healthier Swansea Bay where individuals enjoy longer, happier, and more independent lives, with access to the care they need when they need it most.

We are committed not only to treating illness, but to supporting wellbeing throughout peoples lives. By working with our communities and partners, we seek to tackle health inequalities, empower people to make informed choices, and foster environments where everyone can thrive physically, mentally, and socially.

This role will be central to driving clinical excellence, service transformation and organisational recovery.

If you would like to have an exploratory conversation about the role, please contact Isobel Harrop at Hunter Healthcare

Details

• Date posted: 27 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
• Salary: Depending on experience Dependent on experience and professional background
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: H9130-26-0322
• Job locations: SBUHB HQ, One Talbot Gateway, Port Talbot, SA12 7BR, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Further information regarding the role can be obtained by contacting Hunter Healthcare directly via the details provided, or by visiting:https://hhmicrosites.com/sbuhb-welcome/sbuhb-executive-director-of-public-health/

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).