Full time Contract Temporary

Public Health Substance Misuse & Mental Health Lead

Pertemps London

London, EC4R 0BR

£450 - £500 per day

Posted: 03 August 2026 (3 weeks ago)

Closing date: 02 September 2026

Ref: 60567648

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About the Role

The Public Health Substance Misuse & Mental Health Lead is a senior interim contract based in London, offering £450–£500 per day umbrella. This full-time, temporary role runs initially for three months with likely extension, requiring one to two days on site weekly. You will provide strategic leadership across two core public health priorities, guiding borough-wide programmes, shaping commissioning choices, and driving service transformation. Collaboration with senior figures in Public Health, Adult Social Care, the NHS, and partner bodies is central, focusing on prevention-led, evidence-based initiatives that improve outcomes for vulnerable groups. This position demands substantial expertise in strategy development and partnership working, with an immediate start available.

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.

Apply