Executive Director of Strategy, Finance and Planning, Public Health Wales

Public Health Wales

Delivering Value, Innovation and Excellence through Partnership

Public Health Wales is one of the 11 organisations which makes up NHS Wales. We are the national public health agency in Wales.

We work to protect and improve health and well-being and reduce health inequalities for the people of Wales.

Welcome Letter from Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive, and Pippa Britton, Chair, of Public Health Wales
Dear potential colleague…..
Thank you for your interest in joining Public Health Wales as our next Executive Director of Strategy, Finance and Performance. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of public health in Wales.
Public Health Wales is a unique organisation with a clear and compelling purpose: to protect and improve health and well-being and reduce health inequalities for the people of Wales. We do this through working in partnership with the public and across all sectors and at all levels — local, national, and international — and by being a trusted voice for evidence-informed public health policy and practice.
Our long-term strategy, Working to Achieve a Healthier Future for Wales 2023–2035, sets out a bold ambition to create a healthy and sustainable Wales. Central to achieving this vision is the effective and strategic use of our resources, people, partnerships, and influence, and that is where this role comes in.
In the role, you will lead a wide-ranging and high-impact portfolio. This includes finance, strategy and planning, performance and delivery, communications and programme management - functions that are at the core of delivering our vision and ensuring that everything we do is grounded in value, impact and sustainability. You will also play a key leadership role as a statutory Board member, working closely with me, our Executive Team and our Chair to shape the strategic direction and culture of Public Health Wales.
In addition, and supported by your Executive colleagues, you will also have an exciting opportunity to provide system leadership to the strategy and planning and finance communities across the NHS in Wales, in order to support effective prevention-based and allocative value, resource allocation and planning contributions to improve population health in Wales.
We are seeking an experienced, collaborative and values-driven leader, already working at Board level, with the strategic insight, financial acumen and interpersonal skills to lead with purpose, values and compassion. This is an opportunity to influence not only the future of Public Health Wales, but also the future health and wellbeing of a nation.
Finally, Public Health Wales is deeply committed to the growth and development of our people. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to work at the heart of national strategy and system leadership, while also benefiting from a culture that values learning, reflection and innovation. You will have the chance to grow both professionally and personally, contributing to work that truly matters, while being supported to develop your own leadership and influence across Wales and beyond.
If you share our commitment to creating a fairer, healthier Wales and have the leadership qualities to help us get there, we would be delighted to hear from you.
With best wishes
Dr Tracey Cooper
Chief Executive
&
Pippa Britton
Chair
Executive Director of Strategy, Finance and Performance
Public Health Wales
Public Health Wales is the national agency responsible for protecting and improving health and well-being across Wales. We are seeking a dynamic and collaborative leader to join our Executive Team as Executive Director of Strategy, Finance and Performance. This is a critical Board-level role, pivotal to delivering our Long-Term Strategy 2023–2035 and transforming public health outcomes across the nation. You will play a central role in driving financial sustainability, system-wide planning, and fostering an enabling culture that supports prevention-led population health.
The Role
As a member of the Executive Team and Board, you will lead a wide-ranging portfolio that includes the full breadth of Chief Finance Officer responsibilities. You will also be leading our strategy development, planning and strategic change programmes, performance and delivery and our innovative communications activities across the organisation. Supported by your Executive colleagues, you will also have an exciting opportunity to provide system leadership to the strategy and planning and finance communities across the NHS in Wales, in order to support effective prevention-based and allocative value, resource allocation and planning contributions to improve population health in Wales.
The Person
We are seeking an experienced accountant with significant senior-level leadership experience at Board level, in complex and regulated environments, ideally within or alongside the NHS or wider public services.
You will be an enabling and values-driven strong leader with a track record in delivering strategic finance and planning, and transformation programmes in an inclusive and enabling way. You will possess deep knowledge of financial governance, performance frameworks, and the ability to build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
You will be skilled at building trusted relationships with stakeholders at national and local levels and demonstrate a clear commitment to improving population health and reducing inequalities. Experience in managing complex budgets, leading strategic investment, and aligning finance with organisational priorities will be essential.
This is a rare, exciting and rewarding opportunity to contribute at the highest level to the future of public health in Wales. If you share our passion for delivering a healthy and sustainable nation, and want to make a lasting impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Click here to read a role description - English
Click here to read a role description - Welsh
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the role reference number: A040791
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and Public Health Wales that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
• Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
• A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and PHW's objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director or David Heaton, Principal Researcherwhose details can be found at the bottom of this microsite.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Key milestones:
Closing Date: 19th September 2025
Final Interview: 16th October 2025 (In person)