Senior Public Health Programme Manager

Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.

Communities & Skills

Collaborative, open, inclusive and fair - we work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives. Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Civil Society & Sport, Communities & Social Policy, Group Public Health Unit, Skills and Employment and Health, Children and Young Londoners.

About the team

London has the potential to become the world’s healthiest global city. The Mayor wants all Londoners to have the best opportunities to live a long life in good health. If we are to achieve this, we all need to play our part in tackling the causes of poor health, and we all need to commit to making London a healthier, fairer city, where nobody’s health suffers because of who they are, or where they live.

The GLA Group Public Health Unit is a shared service, established to ensure the GLA Group plays its part in keeping Londoners safe from threats to heath, preventing ill health, and reducing health inequalities.  The Unit is hosted by the GLA and serves the Mayor, Assembly and GLA, TfL, MOPAC and VRU, LFC and OPDC.  It works closely with the Health, children and young Londoners Unit to support the Mayor’s voice on health, underpinned by the Mayor’s statutory duty to develop a health inequalities strategy for London.  The Units supports health in all policies across the Mayor’s strategies, mandates and delivery plans for the capital.  

About the role

We are looking for an outstanding public health programme manager to lead a portfolio of work that improves the health and wellbeing of Londoners, working closely with the GLA Group Director of Public Health and wider team, the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Mayors, as well as senior leaders and managers over the next year.

The role will lead the development and coordination of the GLA Group public health work programme, delivering the Group’s agreed priorities, including the GLA Group ‘Health in All Policies’ (HiAP) programme and relevant Mayoral commitments.   You will provide high-level professional advice, maintaining close working relationships with the GLA policy teams and with the Mayor’s Health Advisors, the Mayor’s Office, Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) of any relevant boards, committees or groups and other key stakeholders. A high level of intellectual rigour, political awareness, negotiation and motivation skills as well as flexibility and sensitivity are required. 

This role will:

1. Provide senior leadership for the programme management of the GLA group public health function, including reporting to the GLA Group Public Health Forum, individual GLA Group organisations (as required), and to the Mayor’s Advisers, ensuring effective delivery in accordance with Mayoral current and future commitments and agreed GLA Group priorities. 

2. Lead development of the team business plan and work programme, including the GLA Group Health in All Policies (HiAP) programme and manifesto commitments.  Ensuring appropriate coordination and alignment with the work of the GLA health and wellbeing team. 

3. To lead on high-profile projects with a range of partners, identifying opportunities for further projects and funding that could further contribute to delivering the Mayor’s or Group’s public health priorities. 

4. Provide oversight of delivery of the work plan, working collaboratively with members of the public health team, and officers in GLA Group organisations. 

5. Identify, build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver the work programme and promote the Mayor’s public health approach.  This will include gaining buy-in for the work programme and related policy and projects to ensure that opportunities for integration and inter-disciplinary working are realised and ensuring that delivery is co-ordinated with the delivery of related work programmes elsewhere in the GLA Group and by our key external partners. 

6. Problem solve at a senior leadership level to manage the dynamics between different parts of the programme that are critical to delivery. 

8. Incorporate the optimum participation of Londoners into the development of the programmes and projects of the team. 
   
   
9. Effectively lead, motivate, manage and develop a small team, including matrix working across the function, to deliver key health programmes of work to ensure personal development, successful performance and cost-effective allocation of resources in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards. 
   
   
10. As a senior manager, actively contribute to corporate management processes. This will include participating in budget planning, managing other GLA Group Public Health Team’s GLA and GLA Group corporate requirements e.g. budgets, procurement, performance monitoring and reporting, requests for briefings and advice and leading initiatives that fulfil the aims and objectives of the GLA and GLA Group.
    
    
11. Adhere, where required, to the appropriate GLA/ GLA Group procurement processes and financial systems, including proactive management and recording of: 

a: outcomes performance, maintaining value for money  

b: quality assurance and compliance through regular monitoring and audit of delivery partners and sub-contractors 

c: the claims process, milestones and risks and delivery partner negotiations including the transparent allocation of grant and service contracts.  

11. Manage projects within tight timescales and constrained funding, effectively meeting deadlines to satisfy requirements set by any internal and external funders. Establish and maintain systems and processes for ensuring effective delivery, including monitoring outcomes.  

12. Manage project and programme staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards. 

13. Engage across the GLA and GLA Group to ensure a joined-up and cross-cutting approach to health; and provide authoritative and evidence-based guidance, working closely with public health consultants and others. 

14. Work where required with the GLA’s statistical experts and economists and other external experts, so that the GLA's efforts to improve the health of Londoners, reduce health inequalities and support London’s recovery is underpinned by sound assumptions and analysis.  

15. Take overall responsibility for the team’s written and oral advice (providing high-level oversight, quality assurance and coordination) to the Mayor and his staff, senior managers, Members of the Assembly, Functional Bodies and other key partners, GLA staff, government departments, relevant London-based and national organisations, making recommendations on policy, strategy and project options and answering questions. 

16. Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities. 

17. Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.  

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of key public health approaches, wider determinants of health, public health policy areas and the operational delivery context. Understanding of the public health system is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of working at a senior level in the delivery of complex programmes to improve health and reduce health inequalities, together with an understanding of the issues associated with working in a complex political environment and the ability to negotiate and broker consensus.  
  
  
• Critical thinking, analytical and written skills, experience of analysing data/evidence from multiple sources and demonstrable ability to utilise these to assess, interpret, and present ideas, data, and information.
  
  
• Senior procurement and programme development expertise including experience of co-ordinating work across a number of senior stakeholders and building and managing relationships in a partnership environment. 
  
  
• Experience of managing, appraising, supporting and developing staff and leading staff teams is desirable. 
  
  
• Relevant degree or equivalent programme management qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to hear more about the role, the hiring manager Emma de Zoete, Deputy Director GLA Group Public Health Unit, will be holding information sessions on Monday 7th July 2025 from 1pm – 2pm and Monday 14th July 2025 from 12.20pm – 1.30pm. Kindly contact alyse.carney@london.gov.uk to attend.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: Interviews are week commencing 11 August 2025. Candidates will be asked to give a short 5 minute presentation at the start of the interview. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be sent the question for the presentation. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. 

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying 

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA 

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment.  For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.