Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid working
• Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours: 22.2 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only

At Suffolk County Council, we’re focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. As a Healthy Behaviours Project Lead in the Public Health and Communities – Healthy Behaviours Team, you’ll play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing across the county, with a particular focus on physical activity. Working collaboratively with colleagues and partners, you’ll help shape healthier people, healthier places and healthier futures.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

In this role, you’ll be a key member of the Healthy Behaviours Team, working flexibly across services while leading and supporting initiatives that improve health behaviours, particularly physical activity. Your work will contribute directly to reducing health inequalities and supporting people across Suffolk to live longer, healthier lives.

On a day‑to‑day basis, you might:

• Support the planning, development and delivery of strategies, programmes and interventions that improve health behaviours, including physical activity, workplace health and NHS Health Checks.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on healthy behaviours and physical activity to internal colleagues and external partners.
• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of partners across the Suffolk system, including health, care, local authorities and the voluntary sector.
• Support work that improves outcomes for older adults and those experiencing frailty by promoting the role of movement and physical activity in healthy ageing.
• Contribute to initiatives that support children and families, with a focus on early years, pre‑school children and physical activity during pregnancy.
• Analyse evidence and data to inform decision‑making, evaluate impact and support an evidence‑led, outcomes‑based approach.
• Prepare clear, well‑structured reports and briefings, translating complex information into accessible, plain‑English insights.

You’ll also represent the council in partnerships where required and help ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything you do.

You will need

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about improving health outcomes and motivated by making a real difference for communities.

We hope you’ll bring:

• A suitable professional qualification at degree level, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience of public health theory and practice, using evidence‑based approaches to inform policy and delivery.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and present it clearly to a range of audiences.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with confidence in influencing, negotiating and working in partnership.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations and systems to deliver shared priorities.
• A positive, self‑motivated and innovative approach, with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to living the council’s WE ASPIRE values.

You can view a full list of requirements in the  Job and Person Profile (Word) If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Public Health and Communities directorate works to improve outcomes for people across Suffolk by tackling health inequalities and supporting healthier lives at every age. The Healthy Behaviours Team is passionate about using evidence, partnership working and innovative approaches to create lasting impact.

We value collaboration, inclusivity and continuous learning, and we support flexible and hybrid ways of working. Our office days are usually agreed within the team, alongside home working, to support a healthy work‑life balance.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Adam Baker (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can reach him by calling 01473 260821 or emailing adam.baker@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should usethe  Supporting Statement template

1. Tell us about a time you led a multi partner project to improve a health behaviour, what you set out to achieve, how you influenced stakeholders, and the outcome you delivered.
2. Talk us through how you have promoted physical activity or movement within either older people and frailty pathways or early years and pregnancy, and what barriers you overcame.
3. Give an example of building effective relationships across a complex system (e.g., councils, NHS, voluntary sector) to take a place‑based approach that met local needs

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing  recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling  03456 014412 If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. 

Closing date: 11.30pm, 6 April 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI‑Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk)