A leading London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Public Health Substance Misuse & Mental Health Lead to provide strategic leadership across two key Public Health priorities.

Location: London (x1-2 days on site)
Rate: £450–£500 per day Umbrella 
Contract: Initial 3 Months (Likely Extension)
Start: ASAP

This senior interim position offers the opportunity to lead borough-wide programmes, influence commissioning decisions, drive service transformation and improve outcomes for vulnerable communities through prevention-focused, evidence-based public health initiatives.

Working closely with senior leaders across Public Health, Adult Social Care, the NHS and partner organisations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping local mental health and substance misuse strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic programmes across Mental Health and Substance Misuse.
• Deliver evidence-based commissioning and service transformation programmes.
• Lead Mental Health Needs Assessments and strategic reviews.
• Manage commissioning activity, contract performance and grant funding.
• Develop innovative prevention and early intervention programmes.
• Lead partnership working across Local Authority, NHS, ICBs, Housing, Criminal Justice and voluntary sector organisations.
• Drive service redesign and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead governance, programme reporting and performance management.
• Support Suicide Prevention Strategy development and implementation.
• Influence providers and stakeholders to improve treatment pathways and resident outcomes.

We're looking for an experienced senior Public Health professional with substantial experience within Mental Health and Substance Misuse.

You'll demonstrate experience in:

• Public Health, Substance Misuse, Mental Health, Commissioning, Programme Management, Service Transformation, Contract Management, Performance Management, Partnership Working, Health Improvement, Health Inequalities, Needs Assessments, Service Redesign, Prevention, Strategy Development, Stakeholder Engagement

Candidates may currently be working as:

• Public Health Programme Manager
• Public Health Commissioning Manager
• Substance Misuse Lead
• Drug & Alcohol Lead
• Mental Health Programme Manager
• Mental Health Commissioning Manager
• Strategic Commissioning Manager
• Public Health Specialist
• Health Improvement Manager
• Commissioning Lead
• Service Development Manager
• Programme Lead

Experience within one or more of the following is highly desirable:

• Local Authority Public Health
• NHS
• Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
• Mental Health Trusts
• Commissioning
• Public Health England / OHID
• Drug & Alcohol Services
• Health Improvement
• Third Sector / Charities

Apply Now If you have extensive experience leading strategic Public Health programmes across Mental Health and Substance Misuse and are looking for your next interim opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.