Welcome

I am delighted that you are considering the opportunity to join us in Southampton as our Executive Director – Community Health, Wellbeing & Prevention. This is a role that offers the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, and I hope it excites you as much as it does us.

Southampton is a city rich in history and full of culture and community. It is a place where people care deeply about their neighbourhoods, and where partnerships between local organisations, volunteers, and residents create a strong foundation for positive change. At the same time, we face complex challenges across health, wellbeing, housing, education, and social care — and it is through collaboration, prevention, and innovation that we can make a lasting impact.

As Executive Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of adult social care, public health, and community wellbeing across the city. You will work closely with colleagues across the council — from housing and children’s services to communities and culture — to build on our existing strategies and strengthen our services, ensuring a focus on improving outcomes for all residents. Your leadership will be central to our prevention agenda, helping to bring health, social care, housing, and community services closer together in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives.

Southampton is a city of tremendous opportunities and our City Plan 2025-2035  and Corporate Plan set out our vision to create a more equal, healthier, safer, greener and growing Southampton. We are looking for an impressive leader who can lead change with purpose, values partnership working, inspires confidence and has significant experience of improving health, wellbeing and prevention outcomes.

We are ambitious about the difference we can make for our city and its residents, and we are looking for a leader who shares our commitment to creating a healthier Southampton. If you are motivated by improvement, guided by values, and committed to making a positive impact for the city, I very much hope you will consider joining us. Together, we will continue to build a Southampton where people live well, communities thrive, and everyone receives the support and opportunities they need.

If you’d like to have a conversation before applying, please contact Chris Barrow and Anita Denton at Tile Hill.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jillian Kay
Chief Executive
Southampton City Council