Behaviour Science SpecialistCouncil

North Yorkshire is England’s 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.

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.

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.

Who are we looking for?

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

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.

For any enquiries or to have an informal conversation about the role please contact Public Health Consultant, Katie Needham [email protected]

Key documents

Job Description Behaviour Science Specialist Grade N.docx

Total Rewards

Key dates

Closing date: 15th November 2026

Interview date: 26th November 2026

Venue for interview: County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AN

NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions, we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

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Position type: 37 hours per week