Advanced Public Health Practitioner

We’re looking for an experienced and professionally competent Advanced Public Health Practitioner to join our forward-thinking Public Health Team within Adult Social Care. Are you passionate about reducing health inequalities and improving population health? Do you have the leadership, expertise, and drive to shape and deliver impactful public health programmes across Reading?

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About The Role:
As an Advanced Public Health Practitioner, you will take a lead role in the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based public health programmes with a focus on Public Mental Health. You will provide professional expertise and advice to support the Council’s public health priorities, working closely with colleagues, partners, and communities to address the wider determinants of health.

As a line manager you will lead on the Public Mental Health area within the team’s portfolio, using data, intelligence, and research to inform strategies and ensure interventions deliver effective prevention and measurable improvements to population health. You’ll also contribute to the development of key policies, partnerships, and commissioning decisions that shape the future of the public’s health in Reading.

About You:
As an experienced Public Health professional you will bring sound public health knowledge, analytical skills, and experience in developing and implementing programmes that lead to change. You will be confident working across organisational boundaries, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including NHS partners, voluntary sector organisations, and community groups.

We’re looking for someone who can combine technical expertise with strong communication and influencing skills — someone who can translate evidence into action and inspire others to play their part in removing the barriers to good health and wellbeing for everyone who lives and works in Reading.

You’ll also bring:

• A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Public Health, Health Promotion, or similar) and/or significant professional experience in a public health role
• A thorough understanding of public health principles, frameworks, and the current policy context
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to interpret and present complex data
• Experience of project management and partnership working
• The ability to work autonomously while contributing to team priorities

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our Offer:
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery – at the Civic Offices) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Zoe Campbell – Public Health Principal (Children) - zoe.campbell@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th November 2025
Interview Date: Provisional interview date Thursday 18th and Friday 19th December 2025
Interviews Setup: Interviews to be held at the Civic Offices in Reading.