Our Public Health department has an exciting role to play in bringing this vision to life and we want your energy, passion, and specialist skills to help us.
We’re looking for people who care about making a positive impact on the everyday lives of those who live, work, and grow in England’s second city. People who champion inclusivity, curiosity, and creativity in everything they do. In return, we offer unrivaled opportunities for growth and development in a team that cares about you and your success.
Public Health in Birmingham is about having an impact. It’s about turning evidence into action and working in collaboration with our residents, communities, and partners to make lasting, positive change. We’re a team of diverse backgrounds, skills, and strengths. We all bring something new to the table with our unique experiences, and we all learn from each other as we grow.
Our vision
Our dynamic leadership team and outstanding Chief Executive share a clear vision for the city:
We aim to strengthen Birmingham’s position as a thriving, young, and diverse global city. We are the beating heart of the UK both commercially and culturally and strive to be a place where everyone is included in the opportunities that our city has to offer.
As a Public Health team, we confidently grasp any opportunities we find to deliver this vision. We’re tackling inequalities and helping to transform the city by continuing to innovate in public health. We are well positioned in the Council and highly regarded here. Over the last four years we’ve grown and evolved into the team.
Our ambition
We’re looking for public health specialists and practitioners who share our passion for helping Birmingham thrive, and can bring the leadership and skills that we need. If you’re up for the challenge, there are fantastic opportunities to lead public health thinking and be at the forefront of innovative practice; locally, nationally, and internationally.
If you’d like a flavour of our work, here are some of the projects we’re really proud of:
These are just a snapshot of the dynamic, citizen-focused public health work we do here in Birmingham to help deliver our ambition of a bolder, healthier Birmingham.
Supporting the Next Generation of Public Health
We invest in our people, and we want to be a pipeline for the next generation of public health specialists.
Our innovative public health graduate scheme provides entry level roles to people who’ve gained a degree in public health and want to start their career.
Our internships programme offers multiple project-based placements for students to gain real-world experience in public health.
We invest in our staff from business support to service lead, we want to help everyone reach their potential at work. This includes our new Public Health Portfolio Lead role which provides a pathway to the UKPHR for specialists.
We also share our skills and our consultants in public health, and service leads, regularly teach in our local universities and colleges.
We hope that you’re excited about the opportunity to join the team in Birmingham. We really are a forward-looking and bold city where public health comes to life and makes a tangible impact.
What our people say
Public Health Testimonials
Working at the council as a public health graduate has been a wonderful experience for me. From my very first day, I have felt very welcomed and at ease. It makes for a very conducive atmosphere to learn and gain different skills. Everyone has been very supportive and made the effort to make me feel included, it really does feel like a family. The program has been so educative, and it has been so inspiring to see how the little parts of this big engine that public health work together.
Pamela Okakpu, Public Health Graduate
I have been with Public Health Division for last 2 years and working in Business Support gives me an opportunity to work across all the teams. One common theme has been team working; colleagues are helpful and out comes focused. Additionally, the support to self-develop and training is second to none from the leadership and managers.
Syed Askari, Business Support Officer
I recently joined the Public Health team as a Public Health Graduate in Birmingham City Council earlier this year. I am relieved to have joined a team of passionate, supportive, and positive people who care about the work they do. As someone who is early in my career, it is important for me to have opportunities to learn new skills. Regular workshops, lunch and learn presentations, resource sharing and eLearning are available to me, and it gives me great job satisfaction to see the progress I am making. Colleagues are more than happy to have conversations with me to gain their advice on my learning and development such as when I wanted to improve my project management skills. I work with other teams within the Public Health division to gain experience and exposure to key skills that are required as a public health professional that aren’t currently available to me through my teams work plan. I thoroughly enjoy my work and am grateful for the privilege of working in Birmingham City Councils Public Health Division.
Simon Yates, Public Health Graduate
I came back recently to Birmingham City Council as an Interim Assistant Director in Public Health having worked here previously. I was amazed to see how much the Public Health Division has grown and matured and the into a great place to promote public health. Now as a permanent member of the team, I can highly recommend the council as an inclusive and visionary place to work. If you want to improve health and tackle health inequalities – here is the place to be. Birmingham is full of opportunities with a great leadership. Come and join us and make a difference.
Becky Pollard, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health (Adults and Older People)
I’ve worked for Public Health for 6 years now and I can honestly say there is nowhere quite like it. Birmingham is a great place to do public health work because of the diverse range of health issues. The work in Public Health is varied and interesting and you are always supported by a team of knowledgeable experts. I feel since working for Public Health, I have not only increased my employability through acquiring new skills and qualifications, but I have also learnt a great deal about tackling health inequalities.
Aruna Watson, Public Health Programme Senior Officer (Older People)
As a public health graduate who has recently joined the division, I have had the privilege of working as part of a division that truly values its employees and fosters an environment of autonomy, and personal growth. From the moment I stepped into the role, I was immediately entrusted with meaningful responsibilities that have allowed me to have a tangible impact. The level of trust placed in me by senior members of the division has been truly empowering, and it has fuelled my motivation to excel in my work. This early autonomy has not only boosted my confidence but has given me a unique platform to contribute my ideas and insights, knowing that my voice is valued and listened to.
Moreover, the friendly and approachable nature of the team has made my transition into the job seamless and enjoyable. Colleagues have been welcoming, supportive, and ever willing to lend a helping hand. The collaboratives atmosphere has created a space where I can freely ask questions, seek guidance, and benefit from the collective expertise of my peers.
Arthur Steeds, Public Health Graduate
I joined the Public Health Division in Birmingham City Council 12 months ago. Since joining, the work has been fast paced, varied and interesting. This has provided challenges but also a great deal of reward in terms of what I’ve been able to achieve with the support of my team, colleagues, and the wider division based on the skills and experience I’ve had access to. I have previously worked in public health in 3 other Local Authorities in the West Midlands. To date, Birmingham has provided me with a wider range of experience, and the opportunity to work at scale in the UK’s second city. The divisional culture is supportive, creative, and focused on the development of staff to enable us to advance and implement quality health and wellbeing interventions and outcomes for the population of Birmingham.
Juliet Grainer, Public Health Service Lead (Adults)
Working at the council as a public health graduate has been a wonderful experience for me. From my very first day, I have felt very welcomed and at ease. It makes for a very conducive atmosphere to learn and gain different skills. Everyone has been very supportive and made the effort to make me feel included, it really does feel like a family. The program has been so educative, and it has been so inspiring to see how the little parts of this big engine that public health work together.
Pamela Okakpu, Public Health Graduate
I have been with Public Health Division for last 2 years and working in Business Support gives me an opportunity to work across all the teams. One common theme has been team working; colleagues are helpful and out comes focused. Additionally, the support to self-develop and training is second to none from the leadership and managers.
Syed Askari, Business Support Officer
I recently joined the Public Health team as a Public Health Graduate in Birmingham City Council earlier this year. I am relieved to have joined a team of passionate, supportive, and positive people who care about the work they do. As someone who is early in my career, it is important for me to have opportunities to learn new skills. Regular workshops, lunch and learn presentations, resource sharing and eLearning are available to me, and it gives me great job satisfaction to see the progress I am making. Colleagues are more than happy to have conversations with me to gain their advice on my learning and development such as when I wanted to improve my project management skills. I work with other teams within the Public Health division to gain experience and exposure to key skills that are required as a public health professional that aren’t currently available to me through my teams work plan. I thoroughly enjoy my work and am grateful for the privilege of working in Birmingham City Councils Public Health Division.
Simon Yates, Public Health Graduate
I came back recently to Birmingham City Council as an Interim Assistant Director in Public Health having worked here previously. I was amazed to see how much the Public Health Division has grown and matured and the into a great place to promote public health. Now as a permanent member of the team, I can highly recommend the council as an inclusive and visionary place to work. If you want to improve health and tackle health inequalities – here is the place to be. Birmingham is full of opportunities with a great leadership. Come and join us and make a difference.
Becky Pollard, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health (Adults and Older People)
I’ve worked for Public Health for 6 years now and I can honestly say there is nowhere quite like it. Birmingham is a great place to do public health work because of the diverse range of health issues. The work in Public Health is varied and interesting and you are always supported by a team of knowledgeable experts. I feel since working for Public Health, I have not only increased my employability through acquiring new skills and qualifications, but I have also learnt a great deal about tackling health inequalities.
Aruna Watson, Public Health Programme Senior Officer (Older People)
As a public health graduate who has recently joined the division, I have had the privilege of working as part of a division that truly values its employees and fosters an environment of autonomy, and personal growth. From the moment I stepped into the role, I was immediately entrusted with meaningful responsibilities that have allowed me to have a tangible impact. The level of trust placed in me by senior members of the division has been truly empowering, and it has fuelled my motivation to excel in my work. This early autonomy has not only boosted my confidence but has given me a unique platform to contribute my ideas and insights, knowing that my voice is valued and listened to.
Moreover, the friendly and approachable nature of the team has made my transition into the job seamless and enjoyable. Colleagues have been welcoming, supportive, and ever willing to lend a helping hand. The collaboratives atmosphere has created a space where I can freely ask questions, seek guidance, and benefit from the collective expertise of my peers.
Arthur Steeds, Public Health Graduate
I joined the Public Health Division in Birmingham City Council 12 months ago. Since joining, the work has been fast paced, varied and interesting. This has provided challenges but also a great deal of reward in terms of what I’ve been able to achieve with the support of my team, colleagues, and the wider division based on the skills and experience I’ve had access to. I have previously worked in public health in 3 other Local Authorities in the West Midlands. To date, Birmingham has provided me with a wider range of experience, and the opportunity to work at scale in the UK’s second city. The divisional culture is supportive, creative, and focused on the development of staff to enable us to advance and implement quality health and wellbeing interventions and outcomes for the population of Birmingham.
Juliet Grainer, Public Health Service Lead (Adults)
Working at the council as a public health graduate has been a wonderful experience for me. From my very first day, I have felt very welcomed and at ease. It makes for a very conducive atmosphere to learn and gain different skills. Everyone has been very supportive and made the effort to make me feel included, it really does feel like a family. The program has been so educative, and it has been so inspiring to see how the little parts of this big engine that public health work together.
