Behaviour Science Specialist
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North Yorkshire Council Behaviour Science Specialist
The closing date is 15 November 2026
Job summary
North Yorkshire is Englands largest Council and is a great place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture. An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our established Behavioural Science Unit (BSU). Based in Public Health, the BSU works across the Council to embed behavioural science and behaviour change approaches to improve health outcomes and address health inequalities across North Yorkshire.
We are seeking a Behavioural Science Specialist to lead the Unit, with line management responsibility for one permanent full-time Behaviour Change Officer and two BCOs who are currently on fixed term contracts till March 2027. You will ensure effective, evidence-informed and innovative responses to local behavioural challenges. This permanent, full-time role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the ongoing development and application of behavioural science across the Council and with our partners.interventions through to evaluating their effectiveness.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
Based in our Public Health, Involvement and Governance team you will report to a Public Health Consultant. As well as managing your own team you will work closely with the Senior Manager of the NY Health Determinants Research Collaboration to provide professional advice, guidance and supervision to the NY HDRC Behaviour Science Researcher.
Established in August 2022, the Behavioural Science Unit delivers a varied programme of behavioural science research and advisory projects. The successful candidate will lead and also deliver this programme, providing specialist advice and technical expertise on the application of behavioural science to real-world challenges, from understanding behavioural influences and developing interventions through to evaluating their effectiveness.
About us
Benefits of Working for NYC
- Flexible working practices including working from other locations and from home where appropriate
- A market-leading pension scheme
- Generous leave entitlement
- Retail, travel and leisure discounts and salary sacrifice discount schemes through our Everybody Benefits offer.
- Commitment to staff development and continuous learning
- Progression and career-enhancement opportunities
- Access to modern technologies to aid flexible working practices.
- As a Mindful Employer, we are committed to promoting and protecting your mental health and wellbeing at work, find out more on the Mindful Employer website.
- Green travel loan scheme which offers interest-free loan towards an annual season ticket to get you from home to work.
- In addition to in-house occupational health services, preferential rates on a private health scheme are available through payroll deductions.
- Staff who use a computer as a regular part of their job are entitled to a free eye test.
Details
Date posted
27 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£53,051 to £57,372 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
F0025-26-0051
Job locations
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AE
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide leadership across the following key areas:
- Leadership: Providing strategic leadership and operational management of the BSU.
- Programme management and delivery: Ensuring effective delivery of the annual BSU programme of work.
- Collaboration: Strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for behavioural science application, including partnership working with the Humber North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, North Yorkshire Health Determinants Research Collaborative and YNY Mayoral Combined Authority.
- Evaluation and monitoring: Demonstrating the impact of BSU activity through case studies, reflective feedback workshops and individualised project success measures.
- Training: Ensuring effective delivery of our staff behavioural science training package, helping to embed the routine application of behavioural science at a level relevant to different roles and needs.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide leadership across the following key areas:
- Leadership: Providing strategic leadership and operational management of the BSU.
- Programme management and delivery: Ensuring effective delivery of the annual BSU programme of work.
- Collaboration: Strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for behavioural science application, including partnership working with the Humber North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, North Yorkshire Health Determinants Research Collaborative and YNY Mayoral Combined Authority.
- Evaluation and monitoring: Demonstrating the impact of BSU activity through case studies, reflective feedback workshops and individualised project success measures.
- Training: Ensuring effective delivery of our staff behavioural science training package, helping to embed the routine application of behavioural science at a level relevant to different roles and needs.
Person Specification
Who are we looking for?
Essential
- Our ideal candidate will have:
- Specialist knowledge of theoretical concepts in behavioural science
- Significant experience of designing and delivering impactful behavioural programmes
- Significant experience of conducting behavioural analysis
- Experience of collaborative working
- Highly developed communication skills
- Line management experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in health psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society or Masters in Behaviour Change or other behavioural science related discipline or equivalent behavioural science experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
- Postgraduate doctoral degree in a behavioural science related subject or stage 2 health psychology training resulting in HCPC registration or demonstrable equivalent learning and experience in applying behavioural science.
Who are we looking for?
Essential
- Our ideal candidate will have:
- Specialist knowledge of theoretical concepts in behavioural science
- Significant experience of designing and delivering impactful behavioural programmes
- Significant experience of conducting behavioural analysis
- Experience of collaborative working
- Highly developed communication skills
- Line management experience
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in health psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society or Masters in Behaviour Change or other behavioural science related discipline or equivalent behavioural science experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
- Postgraduate doctoral degree in a behavioural science related subject or stage 2 health psychology training resulting in HCPC registration or demonstrable equivalent learning and experience in applying behavioural science.
Employer details
Employer name
North Yorkshire Council
Address
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
North Yorkshire Council
Address
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Public Health Consultant
Katie Needham
Details
Date posted
27 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£53,051 to £57,372 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
F0025-26-0051
Job locations
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AE
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
North Yorkshire Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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