Health Improvement Specialist (INTERNAL)

Are you passionate about preventing ill health and addressing health inequalities in our communities? If you thrive when working in collaboration with others, then we want you to be a part of our dynamic team in Public Health!

An exciting 15-month secondment opportunity (maternity cover) has arisen within Public Health (Adult Social Care and Health) to work as a Health Improvement Specialist within the Risks to Health Team.

As part of this secondment opportunity, you will provide specialist health improvement expertise – focused on the NHS Health Checks programme and Alcohol – to enable improved health outcomes across East Sussex.

Working closely with primary care and our Integrated Health and Wellbeing Service, you'll provide leadership to and support the delivery of the NHS Health Checks Programme with the aim of increasing invites and uptake, reducing inequalities and improving the quality of checks.

You’ll also co-ordinate a range of workstreams that support the implementation of the East Sussex alcohol harm reduction strategy 2021-2026, as well as lead on a refresh of the strategy, working in collaboration with key partners. Finally, you will chair both the East Sussex CVD Prevention Group and the East Sussex Alcohol Alliance and facilitate coordinated action to improve CVD prevention and alcohol-related health outcomes.

We are looking for candidates who

• Have a strong interest in the following Public Health areas: NHS Health Checks programme and Alcohol.
• Have experience of developing, delivering and evaluating health improvement initiatives (including plans and strategies) across multi-agency environments
• Have a track record of effective partnership working and engagement across organisations and sectors
• Can effectively use influencing, negotiation and persuasion skills to motivate and change the behaviour of individuals, groups, and organisations to achieve health improvement outcomes.
• Can think creatively, work to deadlines and manage a diverse workload.

Please download the job description and person specification for more information.

Whilst experience of working in Public Health/NHS Health Checks/Alcohol would be advantageous, we are open to people with less experience of these topic areas, as long as they are driven, passionate, hard-working and quick learners. 

A hybrid working style has been assigned to this role, which allows work to be undertaken at home, as well as on site. The role will require in-person meetings at County Hall (Lewes) and occasional travel across East Sussex.

If you have any questions about the building accessibility for the building this role is based in, please contact the hiring manager.

This is a secondment opportunity which is only available to existing ESCC employees. Please review the Secondment Policy (Secondments and Acting Up arrangements | ESCC Intranet) for more information.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and an expression of interest. When writing your expression of interest, be sure to address how you meet all the essential criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests and why you are interested in the role.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page  and our statement on the use of AI.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 25 October 2026. Please ensure you have agreement from your line manager before applying for the post.

Interviews will take place in-person at County Hall, Lewes on Monday 2nd November 2026. If you are unavailable on this date let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in improving cardiovascular health and reducing alcohol-related harm across East Sussex. Working with partners across the local health and care system, you will support the delivery and development of NHS Health Checks and alcohol prevention initiatives that help residents live healthier lives. You will also be part of a supportive and ambitious Public Health team, gaining experience in partnership working, service development and public health commissioning while contributing to efforts to improve health outcomes and tackle inequalities across the county.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Nicola Blake, (Health Improvement Principal) to request a MS teams call or phone call.

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex.