Healthy School Neighbourhoods Programme Lead

Overview

Do you have a passion for place based public health?

Are you skilled at leading complex programmes, working across systems, and driving improvements in local communities?

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Healthy School Neighbourhoods (HSN) Programme Lead to join its Public Health team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a pioneering programme designed to improve children’s health and wellbeing through targeted, place‑based action around schools and their surrounding neighbourhoods.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is an ambitious and high‑performing organisation where public health is central to delivering better outcomes for residents. Although the county performs well overall, there are significant inequalities and varied neighbourhoods where targeted action is essential to improve children’s health, safety, and opportunities.

The HSN approach brings together residents, schools, local services, and Council teams to shape healthier, safer and more connected environments for children and families.

About the role

As the HSN Programme Lead, you will:

• Lead, develop and deliver the HSN programme across selected areas of Buckinghamshire.
• Manage the full programme cycle, including planning, implementation, partnership management, performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Line manage the HSN Project Officer and ensure effective staff development.
• Build strong partnerships with schools, internal Council teams (e.g., Transport, Planning, Road Safety, Education) and external stakeholders.
• Lead resident and stakeholder engagement, using local insight to shape neighbourhood action plans.
• Commission and oversee interventions, ensure high‑quality delivery, and monitor progress and impact.
• Manage programme budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation and value for money.
• Prepare clear reports, business cases and recommendations to support strategic decision‑making.
• Support long‑term integration of HSN principles into wider Council policy and practice.

This role will suit someone with strong programme leadership experience, excellent partnership skills, and a passion for improving health through changes to the built and social environment.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will bring:

• Substantial experience in public health or related fields.
• Strong understanding of the wider determinants of health and/or healthy place shaping.
• Experience leading complex multi‑agency or place‑based programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and partnership‑building skills.
• Strong project and budget management capability.
• Experience of staff management and development.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data to inform decision‑making.
• Strategic awareness and the ability to navigate complex organisational and political environments.
• A degree in a relevant field and either a postgraduate qualification in Public Health (or related discipline) or at least three years’ public health‑related experience.
• A full driving licence.

What We Offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Supportive team culture and opportunities for professional development.
• The chance to lead an innovative and high‑profile programme with real impact for Buckinghamshire’s children and communities.

Please see the job summary attached for further information about the role.

Other information

To discuss the role, please contact: Frances Mason, Public Health Principal (Wider Determinants) at [email protected] or Stephen Pinel, Public Health Principal at [email protected]

All applications will be assessed against the essential criteria for knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications as outlined in the Job Summary. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to review these criteria carefully before submitting any application. If submitted, please ensure the supporting information demonstrates how you meet each requirement.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 29th March

Interviews: Thursday 16th April, in person

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining us, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

We know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/