Head of Obesity Action Scotland

Head of Obesity Action Scotland
Glasgow
Salary grade 7 - £56,980 FTE 
35 hours per week
 

The role

To lead a health-focussed unit and convene an alliance hosted in a Medical Royal College that aims to change the way Scotland tackles obesity prevention and healthy food policy.

To challenge the understanding of a healthy diet, obesity (and what a healthy weight looks like) and associated risks with key groups, decision makers and individuals in public policy, media, health and beyond.

To identify and challenge the public and private sector interests that directly shape the obesogenic environment to identify and influence action required.

To shape the political and policy agenda through direct engagement with senior decision-takers to enable the change needed to deliver population health measures.

To convene and facilitate the Scottish Obesity Alliance, working with its membership to influence policy on overweight and obesity.

To develop and inspire a successful, engaged team that can deliver agreed aspirations, influence networks and alliances effectively.

In conjunction with and as directed by the Steering Group, to lead, develop and monitor programmes of work, overseeing delivery and ensuring that programmes are evidence-based, outcome-focussed, fully aligned with strategic priorities, seeking to promote a healthy diet and thus change the prevalence and profile of overweight and obesity in Scotland.

The post-holder will require the following:

Essential 
•    Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline or subject;
•    Successful leadership experience in a specific subject of public interest, influencing policy makers;
•    Excellent networking, communication, problem-solving, influencing and stakeholder management skills;
•    Understanding of the relationship between determinants of health, food and drink, nutrition and commercial factors; 
•    Excellent written communications and experience of report writing;
•    Confident, strategic thinker and problem solver with the ability to shape priorities, analyse complex issues and offer a choice of solutions;
•    Excellent organisational skills including highly developed time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and manage a range of competing demands;
•    Demonstrable experience of managing, motivating and leading a team, partnerships and alliances;
•    Ability to operate at a strategic level, able to articulate the organisation’s and Alliance’s vision and direction as well as giving support at operational level to achieve objectives and outcomes;
•    Ability to manage the interface between the external environment and internal operation, to gather critical intelligence and be accountable for outcomes;
•    Ability to develop, manage and execute effective public affairs and communications strategies;
•    Ability to undertake financial planning and identify and respond to income generating opportunities;
•    Strong ethical sense in conducting relationships between stakeholders in the health sector and food industry; 
•    High level understanding of the use of research, evidence and alliances in shaping, influencing and developing policy and practice;
•    Demonstrable experience in overseeing the development and delivery of programmes that influence policy, and communication strategies; relationship building and ability to articulate key messages and outcomes;
•    Knowledge of how people learn and ability to design and facilitate dynamic learning opportunities;

Desirable 
•    Previous work in a public health field;
•    Previous experience in food policy or nutrition related subject area;
•    Previous work in engaging with alliances, media and communications;
•    Awareness of human rights, equality and inclusion issues and stigma as they affect people who experience disadvantage;
•    Knowledge of the healthy food, obesity prevention and health weight environment policy context in Scotland and awareness of the UK, European and international context;

Terms of employment

The postholder will report to the CEO of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow on the following matters – finance, people and corporate governance. The post-holder will report to the Obesity Action Scotland Steering Group on matters related to strategy, policy and programmes, agreeing and reviewing objectives with the Chair of the Steering Group; the Group will be made up of representatives from the Scottish Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, the NHS, policy and other subject matter experts.  

Obesity Action Scotland is co-located at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.  The postholder will be an employee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.  

Benefits    

•    40 days holiday 
•    Pension 
•    Life Assurance Benefit 
•    Enhanced Sick Pay, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay
•    Wellbeing Benefit
•    Cycle to Work Scheme

Successful candidates will have the requisite ability and experience to meet the specific requirements of the post.   If you believe you have the skills to be part of our team then apply by submitting your CV, with a covering letter and Equal Opportunities Monitoring form below. 

The closing date is Thursday 3 September 2025 at 17.00 BST. We anticipate interviews will be held week beginning 14 or 21 September 2025.   If you have any queries please contact recruitment@rcpsg.ac.uk   

An informal discussion with the Chair and Interim Head of the Obesity Action Scotland Steering Group can be arranged before the closing date with Robin.Ireland@obesityactionscotland.org.
 

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is a Scottish Charity, SC000847, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).