The posting
About The Role
Consultant in Public Health / Consultant in Public Health Medicine
Director, Health Determinants Research Collaboration Manchester
Manchester City Council | Full time | Time limited to December 2029.
JNC Officer Grade SS3 (£95,022–£105,048)
Manchester is a special place. A regionally and globally significant city, it’s the nucleus of the largest metropolitan area in the north of England. Vibrant, lively, diverse, cosmopolitan and ambitious, the city continues to develop as a centre of national and international significance, where residents and businesses alike benefit from ongoing economic and social improvements.
We’re well aware that our communities and residents face real challenges in relation to inequalities and we need to improve health outcomes across all of Manchester compared to other parts of the country. We’re totally committed to responding to this challenge, narrowing the gap between the healthiest and least healthy, and improving health and life chances across the city.
At HDRC Manchester, our vision is simple but ambitious: community-driven research changes the way policy and decisions are made in Manchester. This work is central to Making Manchester Fairer—the city’s shared ambition to tackle inequalities in health. We are building a city-wide, co-produced research system that brings together Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester, VCFSE partners and residents to identify and act on shared priorities affecting health.
About the Candidate
The Role
We are looking for an exceptional public health leader to turn that vision into lasting change. As Director of HDRC Manchester, you will ensure robust evidence and lived experience shape policy, commissioning and services—helping Manchester improve health, tackle inequalities and make better decisions on the issues that matter most to its communities. Reporting to the Director of Public Health, you will provide strategic and scientific leadership across a complex partnership of local government, academic, NHS and community organisations. You will have substantial autonomy, lead multidisciplinary teams through direct and matrix arrangements, manage the HDRC budget and influence policy, commissioning, investment and service development.
The role will also lead the development of the Greater Manchester Public Health Research Network, strengthening research capability, collaboration and the use of evidence across the city-region
Why join us?
You will join a dynamic public health leadership team and a city with the ambition, partnerships and research infrastructure to make a lasting difference.
Interested?
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Donna Willis at [email protected] to arrange a conversation with Dr Cordelle Ofori, Director of Public Health.
Closing date 28th October 2026
Interviews w/c 9th November 2026
For more information please visit our microsite: Assistant Director of Public Health (HDRC) - Leading in Manchester
- Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, describing why you want the role and evidencing how you meet the criteria.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
About Us
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
What we will need from you if you’re successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:
- Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
- References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
- Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
- Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
- Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
- Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other relevant information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
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