Public Health Lead - Intelligence and Insight
Job summary
The Public Health Lead - Health Intelligence and Insight is a senior public health intelligence role responsible for leading the development, delivery and improvement of health intelligence, insight and research programmes across Slough. The postholder will provide expert analysis, interpretation and evidence-based advice to support strategic planning, commissioning, policy development and service improvement across the Council and wider health and care system.
The role focuses on embedding an insight-informed decision-making culture by using epidemiology, data science, statistical analysis, qualitative insight and data visualisation to understand local population needs, reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for residents. A key part of the role is leading health intelligence products and programmes, including the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, and ensuring high-quality data and analysis are used to inform public health priorities and wider Council strategies.
The postholder will manage and coordinate the work of public health analysts and provide specialist guidance to internal teams, senior managers, elected members, external partners, NHS organisations, voluntary sector partners and community groups.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide strategic input to the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of public health and wider Council programmes across Slough by helping to embed an insight-informed decision-making culture. You will contribute to the development of strategic partnerships to improve health outcomes to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for our residents.
The role requires a high level of technical expertise in public health intelligence, including advanced skills in epidemiology, data science, and statistical analysis. The post holder must be highly proficient in data sourcing, cleaning, management, analysis, and visualisation, with the ability to critically interpret and triangulate complex datasets, including routine, survey, and qualitative data. Strong experience in using analytical software (e.g. R, Python, Power BI, Tableau) or geospatial tools (e.g. ArcGIS) is essential, along with a deep understanding of data governance, confidentiality, and information sharing protocols.
A high level of intellectual rigour, political awareness and negotiation and motivation skills as well as flexibility and sensitivity are required. You will be responsible for the provision and management of quantitative and qualitative data and the delivery of high-quality insight and analysis to inform decision-making and service development across the Council. You will play an active role in building relationships and networks to maximise collaborative opportunities, explore work synergies, improve our understanding of local needs and develop comprehensive actions to meet these needs. This role requires excellent skills in data collection methods, data management, analysis and visualisation techniques, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a diverse set of audiences as well as strong interpersonal skills.
You will lead the day-to-day operational delivery of health intelligence and insight programmes such as the JSNA, with a key role in managing change and transformation of the existing health intelligence products including managing public health staff, co-ordinating and supervising their work and coordinating public health advice and support to other departments across the Council and external partners with regards to health intelligence and insight.
Although the work of our team is focused on Slough there will be opportunities for strategic partnership working across the other Berkshire and Thames Valley local authorities and more widely with the NHS, other organisations, voluntary sector and community groups.
The role requires advanced training or a full professional qualification, or significant proficiency in a specialised Public Health field such as epidemiology, with a broad understanding of relationships between different operational areas, as well as significant experience at a management level.
You will be responsible for co-ordinating and integrating the work of other staff.
You will provide high level guidance and advice to internal and external colleagues (including elected members); work with senior managers to develop new approaches and support the development of strategy, policy, plans and resource allocation.
About us
Slough Borough Council is an ambitious, resident-focused local authority serving one of the UK’s most diverse and dynamic communities. Our purpose is to make a positive difference to the lives of local people by delivering services that support residents, strengthen communities and help create a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous Slough.
We are on an important journey of improvement and transformation, working to build trust, strengthen partnerships and deliver sustainable services that put residents first. Whatever your role, you will contribute to our shared mission of enabling people to live well, independently and safely, while helping Slough move forward together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Directorate: Public Health & Protection, Strategy, Engagement & Communities
- Pay Level: 9 , £54,556 - £60,085 (fully inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance)
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Working Hours: 37 hours per week
- Location: Observatory House/ Slough Hybrid (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
- DBS requirement: Enhanced
The closing date for applications is midnight on 13th September 2026
Interviews will be held week commencing 28th Septemebr 2026
What you’ll be doing:
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for health intelligence, public health data, and reducing health inequalities? Do you have significant leadership experience and the technical expertise to drive forward Slough’s public health intelligence agenda?
Slough Borough Council is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Public Health Lead - Health Intelligence and Insight to lead the delivery of insight-driven public health strategy, intelligence programmes (including the JSNA), and high-quality analytical outputs to inform local decision-making and improve health outcomes.
This senior post sits at the heart of our evidence-informed public health system, playing a key role in driving forward intelligence-led decision making, reducing health inequalities, and shaping strategic priorities across Slough and our wider partnerships.
With direct line management responsibility and influence across the health and care system, this is a critical leadership role that combines advanced analytical skills with cross-sector collaboration and public health expertise.
Our Council:
Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and environment. Every employee contributes to services for local people, directly or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and want residents to enjoy fulfilling, prosperous and healthy lives.
What we offer:
We offer a supportive place to grow your career, where your input is valued and heard. You will join a friendly, collaborative environment where ambition and innovation are encouraged.
We support flexible and hybrid working to help colleagues achieve a positive work-life balance. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, recruit on merit and value a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1 April, subject to six months’ service and satisfactory performance, until the maximum spinal column point is reached.
Alongside a competitive salary, we provide:
- 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 days after 2 years and 33 days after 5 years’ service.
- The Local Government Pension Scheme
- Wellbeing initiatives and employee networks that help us celebrate and promote equality.
- Tax-free childcare and childcare services
- Season ticket loan to help with rail or bus travel to and from work.
Accessibility and Support:
Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer. If you need support during the application process or reasonable adjustments for interview, please contact our Recruitment Team: Recruitment@slough.gov.uk.
Information shared will be treated confidentially and used only to provide appropriate support throughout recruitment and beyond.
Our staff networks represent diverse colleague groups and help make the Council a place where people feel included and can thrive.
Follow the link HERE to learn more.
Right to Work and Checks:
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship, please note that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.
We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.
How we recruit at Slough Borough Council
Our 8 Core Skills
At Slough Borough Council, we are moving Forward Together. Our core skills reflect what we value and will form part of your interview.
Click here to find out more - How we recruit | Slough Borough Council
How to Apply:
Please click on the Apply button below to submit your application.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Join Slough Borough Council and help accelerate our transformation and growth.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early should we receive a number of suitable applications.
Join Slough Borough Council – Move Forward Together!
Person Specification
Experience
- Demonstrable successful senior management experience in a large, complex, multi-service organisation, managing across technical or professional areas.
- Experience of managing significant organisational change with evidence of achieving tangible benefits, including supporting the implementation of new organisational structures, systems and / or new and flexible ways of working.
- Extensive knowledge of the strategic and financial challenges facing local government, Integrated Care Boards and the NHS
- Extensive knowledge of public health, epidemiology and services which support health and wellbeing
- Proven track record of embracing digital approaches and new ways of working to achieve efficiencies and improved ways of working.
- N/A
Skills and Abilities
- Advanced public health skills to analyse, complex public health issues, undertake needs assessment, research and critical appraisal to inform evidence-based public health interventions.
- Ability to meaningfully contribute to strategic decision-making, including making evidence-based decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong level of digital literacy, including office software suites and flexible ways of working (e.g. video conferencing, remote working).
- Ability to plan, commission and organise work to produce a high level of output to quality standards, and lead on longer term developments of the service.
- Ability to facilitate change and transformation, developing productive and collaborative ways of working with colleagues and stakeholders, leading and motivating others to achieve continuous improvement.
- Excellent written and oral communication, negotiating and influencing skills.
- Experience leading the delivery of large projects and/or programmes, demonstrating sound project management skills and experience, managing performance to achieve required outcomes.
- N/A
Knowledge and understanding
- Understanding of the workings of local government including cabinet, scrutiny and democratic structures.
- Good numeracy skills to interpret and analyse complex service data, performance and finance information.
- Awareness of the values and behaviours expected from Slough Borough Council to promote a positive working environment and culture.
- Understanding of Health and Safety legislation and good practice and how it relates to themselves and others in the workplace.
- N/A
Qualification
- Public health related qualification - anticipated to be degree level + Post Graduate qualification (e.g. MPH)
- Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development.
- Membership of a relevant Public Health chartered or professional body e.g. UKPHR or RSPH.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Slough Borough Council
Address
Observatory House, 25 Windsor Rd,
Slough
Berkshire
SL1 2EL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.slough.gov.uk/