Chief Reputation & Engagement Strategist

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Nhs Trust; Swineshead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Group Chief Communications & Engagement Officer will act as the CEO's principal adviser on reputational risk, ensuring high-quality governance, clarity of accountability, and timely, accurate messaging in routine and high-pressure situations.

They will provide expert, strategic advice to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership on communications, reputation, and public affairs, safeguarding the Group's reputation, managing media relations, and handling crisis communications.

Qualifications

• Experience guiding communications strategy at executive level.
• Proven crisis and incident communications leadership.
• Strong media relations and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work with CEO, Board and ELT.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and oversight of a comprehensive Group communications and engagement strategy aligned to organisational objectives and values.
• Act as Gold (Strategic) lead for crisis and serious incident communications, advising CEO/ELT on strategy, messaging, escalation and stakeholder handling.
• Lead the development and implementation of an external communications strategic delivery plan to manage the Trust reputation and support the delivery of the Group Strategy.
• Set the approach for two-way staff communications that strengthens engagement, clarity and trust, working closely with People/OD and clinical leadership.
• Own the strategy and governance for public engagement and formal consultation activity on service change, ensuring activity is inclusive, evidence-based and defensible and within legal framework.
• Lead the development and sustain positive relationships with the national and local media, maximise positive coverage and ensure balance in all media coverage, in order to improve public perceptions of, and promote public confidence.
• Provide visible, values-based leadership to the communications and engagement function.
• Overview of Trust status, teaching hospital designation and group integration.

Skills

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Public affairs

Job description

The Group Chief Communications & Engagement Officer will act as the CEO's principal adviser on reputational risk, ensuring high-quality governance, clarity of accountability, and timely, accurate messaging in routine and high-pressure situations.

They will provide expert, strategic advice to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership on communications, reputation, and public affairs, safeguarding the Group's reputation, managing media relations, and handling crisis communications.