Communications and Engagement Manager (Public Partnerships)

BMJ; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK healthcare organization is seeking a Communications and Engagement Manager to lead communications for NIHR’s Public Partnerships. The role involves strategic engagement, content creation for various channels, and promoting public involvement in research. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree, strong communication skills, and experience in stakeholder relationship management. The position offers a hybrid work model and generous benefits including substantial pension contributions and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous employer pension contribution

Discounted dental and travel insurance

Twenty-five days holiday plus bank holidays

Concierge service Seniorcare by Lottie

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in communications and marketing activities.
• Understanding of patient and public involvement in health research.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications for NIHR’s Public Partnerships.
• Develop strategic engagement approaches.
• Create multimedia content for various channels.
• Support cross-NIHR communications strategy.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Stakeholder relationship building

Planning and organizational skills

Negotiation and influencing skills

IT literacy

Education

Undergraduate degree in health, biomedical sciences or social sciences

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Overview

Job Title: Communications and Engagement Manager (Public Partnerships)

Contract: Permanent

Location: London - Hybrid

Salary: £42,050 - £46,723

Application Closing Date: Sunday 21st December 2025

Job Purpose

Lead the communications for NIHR’s Public Partnerships coordinating function which aims to improve how we involve patients, public, carers, service users and communities in our research. Work closely with the Deputy Director for Public Partnerships, other colleagues in the Maximising Impact and Public Partnerships (MIPP) team and others involved in patient public involvement and engagement at the NIHR and partner organisations.

Develop and maintain productive and rewarding relationships with diverse groups including NIHR colleagues, patients and the public, patient public involvement and engagement (PPIE) professionals, researchers, regulators, charities and research organisations.

Contribute to the broader work of the MIPP team as necessary - in particular flagship activities proposed in the BMJ bid- in the interests of integrating the public partnerships and maximising impact strands

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic approaches to engage public involvement and engagement professionals across NIHR and its supporting infrastructure e.g via a regular newsletter, compiling content from across NIHR.
• Create engaging written, visual and multimedia content for NIHR channels (e.g. web, social media, blog, e-newsletters) and third party / earned channels. In particular develop engaging content for the @NIHRInvolvement X channel and contribute to the channels development
• Develop and deliver effective multi-channel communications and engagement plans for new guidance and resources for improving public involvement, including sharing on the Learning for Involvement website
• Develop and implement communications and engagement approaches for large public partnerships improvement programmes eg NIHR Strategic Commitments for Public Partnerships.
• Support communications and marketing for key websites Learning for Involvement, People in Research and the UK Standards for Public Involvement and contribute to their future development.
• Promote a range of engagement activities aimed at public involvement professionals, researchers and public contributors within the context of the MIPP business plan
• Build an understanding of the Public Partnerships ambition and work plans, and ensure key stakeholders are engaged effectively as part of these.
• Work closely with the team’s other Communications and Engagement specialists to plan, prioritise and deliver communications activities.
• Develop and maintain processes for tracking stakeholder engagement, aligning with similar activity across NIHR.
• Contribute fully to the MIPP matrix management arrangements for key contractual projects, leading and contributing to cross MIPP work packages as necessary.
• Work collaboratively to support integrated team working across MIPP
• Note : Up to 50% of communications colleagues’ time is spent supporting the cross-NIHR communications strategy. You will contribute to one or more communications working groups (e.g website, social media, press, internal communications, campaigns or content team) leading and / or supporting NIHR communications projects.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

You must be a proactive, self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic team player who can work independently and as part of a team and contribute to the development of a positive, can-do culture. You need :

• Undergraduate degree, ideally in health, biomedical sciences or social sciences or equivalent experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex ideas using plain language
• Skills and experience in a range of communications and marketing activities such as digital, publications, press and campaigns and in developing and delivering communications plans
• Understanding of the importance of patient and public involvement in health and care research
• Demonstrable experience of developing fruitful internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Ability to work within complex organisations and collaboratively across teams to plan and achieve outcomes
• Excellent interpersonal skills, confidence and diplomacy in dealing with complex stakeholder relationships involving patients, public contributors and senior staff in national and international organisations
• Planning, organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Self-motivated with an adaptable, flexible approach, commitment to improving processes and services and ability to work on own initiative
• Negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to secure buy-in and achieve consensus
• Highly IT literate with the ability to competently employ the various functions of Microsoft / Google including PowerPoint / Slides, Word / Docs, Excel / Sheets and Outlook / Gmail
• Knowledge of the UK health and care system and research landscape
• Commitment to the values of the NIHR, MIPP and the BMJ Group, including a commitment to patient and public involvement, to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to building cultural competence.
• Either : the mindset, understanding and interpersonal skills necessary to undertake effective collaborative working with patients and members of the public - Or : the commitment to acquire these qualities.
• Commitment to maximising the impact of health and care research to improve the health and wealth of the nation.

Why work for us

Flexible Work and Workplace Perks

We’re committed to flexible working that supports both your needs and the requirements of the role.

Generous benefits

Generous double-matching employer pension contribution, up to 12%

Discounted dental and travel insurance

Seven x salary life assurance cover and a generous income protection package

Discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work and season ticket loan

Discounts for retail and leisure products through yourReward

Work-life balance and wellbeing

Twenty-five days holiday + bank holidays + a BMJ Day off.

Additional holiday through long service; buy up to 5 additional days

Leave for moving house, volunteering or getting married

Concierge service Seniorcare by Lottie

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are not buzzwords to us, but fundamental company priorities.

We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique strengths and insights, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive positive change in our industry.

If you are from an under-represented or historically marginalised community, we are particularly interested in hearing from you.

Join our employee-led networks focusing on Gender, Race and Cultural Diversity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health and Well-being, Parents and Carers and Age.

Disability Confident Committed employer

Learning & Development

Personal development plan

Mentoring scheme

Career Coaching

Opportunities to pursue professional development

Strengths-based development