Advert details
Salary: Band 7 (£52,845 - £61,466)
Job closing date: 25/11/2026
Job Type: Personal and Social Care
Location: Various across Argyll and Bute
Employment type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 36
Employer (NHS Board): NHS Highland
Department: Argyll and Bute

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Public Health Team within NHS Highland as a Health Improvement Lead. This senior leadership role offers the chance to influence strategic priorities, shape innovative programmes and work collaboratively across organisations to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people across Argyll and Bute and NHS Highland.

As a Health Improvement Lead, you will provide operational management and professional leadership to a team of Health Improvement staff, leading a diverse portfolio of health improvement and health inequalities work. You will work across the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Highland to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based programmes that improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

The postholder will:

• Lead strategic and operational health improvement programmes.
• Provide leadership and support to a multidisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with NHS colleagues, local authority partners, community planning partners, third sector organisations and local communities.
• Influence policy development and implementation to improve population health and wellbeing.
• Manage staff, budgets and resources to ensure effective delivery of programmes and services.
• Analyse and interpret population health data to inform planning and decision making.
• Develop reports, recommendations and business cases for senior leaders and partnership structures.
• Secure and manage funding opportunities that support health improvement priorities.
• Represent Public Health and NHS Highland at local and national forums.

You will be an experienced public health or health improvement professional with a strong track record of partnership working, programme leadership and service development.
You will have:

• Degree-level qualification.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in public health, health improvement, health promotion or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in health improvement or public health practice.
• Experience of strategic planning and partnership working.
• Experience of managing staff and resources.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Experience of project and programme management.
• Knowledge of health inequalities, public health policy and evidence-based practice.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering public health priorities across urban, rural and island communities, working within a supportive and ambitious team committed to prevention, reducing inequalities and improving health outcomes for all. A thorough knowledge of Argyll and Bute is an advantage. Regular in-person working throughout Argyll and Bute approximately two times per month.

A full driving licence is essential as the post covers a large geographical area and requires travel throughout Argyll and Bute and NHS Highland. The base is negotiable within Argyll and Bute.

Informal enquiries
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact:
Samantha Campbell
Health Improvement Principal
Email: samantha.campbell3@nhs.scot
Tel: 07792 406558

Job Ref: 264571
Closing date: Midnight Wednesday 25th November 2026

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Additional information for candidates
Flexible Working
Flexible working options may be available, depending on the role and service needs. If this is important to you, please discuss it at interview.

How to apply
Apply online through Jobtrain.
Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a high number of applications are received. Early application is therefore advised.
Please ensure the address on your application form reflects your current place of residence for your present workplace and can be verified through your identification documents.
Do not upload a CV – CVs are not used for shortlisting.
Applications close at midnight on the stated closing date.
Once submitted, applications cannot be changed.

Keeping in Touch
We will contact you by email.
Please check your email (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account regularly.

Support and Accessibility
Help with applying: Apply via the company portal.
Jobtrain technical support: Apply via the company portal.
Jobtrain accessibility statement: Apply via the company portal.
If you need adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please tell us.

Internal candidates
Some posts are internal only.
If you work for NHS Highland, make sure your Jobtrain profile shows this.

What is it like to work for NHS Highland?
Visit the company portal to find out more about living and working in our area.

Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers.
Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.

Care and compassion
Dignity and respect
Openness, honesty and responsibility
Quality and teamwork