Public health manager or director - requirements

As a public health manager or director, sometimes called a health improvement practitioner or public health adviser, you’ll use your research and communication skills to help people adopt healthier lifestyles or improve health policies. Read on to find out what working in this role is like.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be a public health manager or director?

Useful subjects for aspiring public health managers and directors include:

You could start working in this field without a higher degree, but you’ll probably need to have an HND along with relevant work experience or professional qualifications. If you have a degree in a related area you could choose to do a top-up course, or relevant postgraduate degree.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a public health manager or director?

Having a postgraduate degree is useful when applying to competitive graduate positions or senior roles.

Relevant master’s courses and postgraduate degrees may include:

  • Global health and development
  • Global healthcare management
  • Health, economic and decision science
  • Public health
  • Dental public health
  • Public health nutrition
  • Applied infectious epidemiology
  • Biotech and pharmaceutical management

What skills do you need to be a public health manager or director?

You’ll benefit from having strong communication skills, both written and verbal, along with a strong understanding of health issues and your target community.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Public health issues
  • Healthcare systems and services
  • Health and safety
  • Research skills
  • Relevant scientific knowledge
Soft skills include:
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Proactivity
  • Self-management
  • Networking

Do you need work experience to be a public health manager or director?

Employers in this field will normally expect applicants to have work experience in public health or a related health, science or social science field. A placement or internship in a relevant organisation or the NHS is useful. Being able to show your passion for improving health and wellbeing through voluntary work is also valuable.

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