Director of Public Health & Community Wellbeing

Build a Healthier, Fairer Merton

There couldn’t be a more exciting time to work at Merton Council. We are a borough on the rise, led by a fresh and ambitious new leadership, and armed with some of the boldest transformation plans in London. 

Merton encompasses the towns of Colliers Wood, Mitcham, Morden and Wimbledon, and is home to a vibrant, growing population of more than 220,000. We are proud custodians of some of the best sporting heritage in the world. 

Merton’s connectivity is unbeatable in south London. We are at the start of both the Northern and District Tube lines, which offer direct access into central London in just 20 minutes. 

And, we’re a borough going places. We have a brand-new blueprint for the future that will see us unlock the full potential of our borough and build a better Merton together, putting the needs of our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, influential and forward thinking public health leader to work at the heart of Merton Council and across the wider health and care system. The Director of Public Health & Community Wellbeing will have the opportunity to shape policy, strategy and investment across the Council, influencing areas such as housing, education, regeneration, transport, employment, environment and community safety. Working closely with NHS partners, primary care, the voluntary and community sector and local communities, the postholder will ensure that improving health, preventing ill health and reducing inequalities are central to decisions across Merton.

The role offers significant scope to lead change across organisational boundaries, shape Merton’s emerging neighbourhood model, build strong partnerships and develop innovative approaches to prevention and population health. We are looking for someone with the ambition, credibility and energy to influence the whole system, challenge existing ways of working and help deliver lasting improvements for Merton’s residents.

As our statutory Director of Public Health, you will be suitably qualified in line with legislation and be included in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a licence to practice. 

Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 20th September 2026

For a confidential discussion, please contact our recruitment partner, Tile Hill: Anita Denton on 07725 554802 or Chris Barrow on 07437 839048

For further Information please visit: www.merton.gov.uk/jobs/leaders

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact Rebecca.keen@tile-hill.co.uk

Applications must include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk.

If the organisation we’re representing is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you’d like to apply under the scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement. If there are any adjustments that would support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.