Director of Communications and Engagement

One Care (BNSSG) C.I.C.; Whitchurch; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A health and care organization in Whitchurch is seeking a Director of Communications and Engagement. This leadership role involves shaping and delivering a strategic communications strategy, managing stakeholder relationships, and leading a high-performing team. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in communications within complex organizations, preferably within the health sector. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Flexible working

Home or remote working

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading strategic communications at a senior level.
• Extensive experience in developing integrated communications strategies.
• Familiarity with the health and care system, especially NHS.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead the strategic communications and engagement strategy.
• Manage relationships with media, elected officials, and key stakeholders.
• Oversee a high-performing communications team.

Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Proficiency in digital communications

Strong leadership and people management skills

High emotional intelligence

Strong organizational skills

Education

Degree-level education in communication-related field

Postgraduate qualification in communications or related field

Job description

Overview

This role offers an opportunity to lead strategic communications and engagement within a complex and evolving health and care system. It requires a confident and experienced leader who can bring clarity, influence, and creativity to a senior role, working across organisational boundaries to deliver meaningful impact.

This is a pivotal leadership position responsible for shaping and delivering a bold, integrated communications and engagement strategy that strengthens member relationships and amplifies the voice of general practice across BNSSG.

You will lead the development of a modern, responsive communications service that reflects the needs of general practice and supports the organisations strategic priorities. This includes driving a cohesive framework across communications, marketing, public affairs, and membership engagement.

The role involves building strong relationships with practices, PCNs and locality teams to ensure communications are grounded in the realities of frontline practice, and that member voices are heard, valued, and reflected in everything we do.

Main duties of the job

• Set and lead the strategic communications, marketing, and public affairs agenda
• Provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders
• Lead the membership engagement strategy
• Develop and oversee a unified communications framework
• Represent the organisation in system-level communications forums and strategic groups
• Manage relationships with media, elected officials, regulators, and key stakeholders
• Enhance our visibility and influence locally, regionally, and beyond
• Lead and develop a high-performing communications team

About us

Mission and vision

Our mission is simple: to empower general practice. This is not a partisan position. It is an evidenced approach that has demonstrated that investing in primary care produces better health outcomes at lower cost, higher efficiency, and greater fairness than any other model of healthcare provision. If general practice thrives, we save more lives and the NHS thrives too, so we are passionate about supporting general practice.

General practice is a success with patients because it provides a local, personal responsive service to the diverse populations the practices serve. Our member practices partnerships serve those diverse populations by providing core services at practice level but also with collaborative services at PCN (primary care network) level. Our PCNs proved how effective they could be through their central part in BNSSGs award winning Covid-19 vaccination program, which was catalysed and enabled by One Care.

Our Integrated Care Board and large provider partners need general practice to function at scale, to help general practice get the right things done consistently and equitably. General practice, in turn, needs the resources to get the right things done. This is where One Care sits, enabling general practice to be big and small at the same time, giving a voice to general practice in BNSSG, and providing the infrastructure to enable general practice to function at optimum capacity, at any scale.

Job responsibilities

Role title

Director of Communications and Engagement

Location(s)

The post will be based at Osprey Court in South Bristol but there may be a requirement to work across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area.

Job purpose

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Communications and Engagement is responsible for setting the strategic direction of One Care's communications, marketing, public affairs, and membership engagement functions. This role provides expert strategic advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Executive Leadership Team, ensuring communications are aligned with organisational priorities and responsive to the wider system context.

Leading the development of a cohesive and integrated communications strategy and framework that advances One Care's external reputation, strengthens member engagement, and amplifies the voice of general practice across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). They will oversee a modern, professional, and responsive communications service that is aligned with the communication needs of general practice and One Care.

The Director of Communications and Engagement will work at a system level to enhance primary care's reputation, advocate for general practice, and raise One Care's profile locally, regionally, and nationally where opportunities arise. Building strong relationships with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and locality teams to ensure communications reflect the needs and priorities of practices on the ground.

Job profile

Set and lead the organisation's strategic communications, marketing, and public affairs agenda

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organisational goals, values, and priorities.

Shape and oversee campaigns that enhance brand awareness, promote services, and support strategic initiatives.

Lead relationship-building with external influencers and decision-makers.

Monitor emerging trends, risks, and opportunities in the communications landscape to ensure proactive and adaptive strategies.

Provide expert advice and counsel

Serve as a trusted advisor on all matters related to communications, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.

Prepare strategic briefings, messaging, and media responses for senior leaders.

Support leadership in navigating complex communications challenges, including sensitive or high-profile issues.

Facilitate alignment between executive messaging and organisational values and priorities.

Design and deliver an engagement framework that promotes active participation, feedback, and collaboration with member practices.

Develop tailored communications and engagement plans that reflect the diversity of member needs and contexts.

Establish regular channels for dialogue, including forums, newsletters, digital platforms, and in-person events.

Monitor engagement metrics and feedback to continuously improve member experience and satisfaction.

Develop and oversee a cohesive communications framework

Create a unified communications framework that ensures consistency across all touchpoints - internal, external, digital, and print.

Align brand messaging with strategic objectives and stakeholder expectations.

Integrate member engagement into broader reputation-building efforts, ensuring that communications reflect the voice and value of the membership.

Ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and clarity in all communications outputs.

Act as One Care's senior representative in system-level communications forums and strategic groups

Represent the organisation in regional communications networks, partnerships, and working groups.

Advocate for the organisation's interests and perspectives in system-wide initiatives and collaborative efforts.

Build strategic alliances with communications leads across BNSSG and beyond to support shared goals and coordinated messaging.

Direct and manage relationships with media, elected officials, regulators, and key stakeholders

Manage stakeholder communications with One Care's partners to support transparency and influence.

Ensure timely and strategic responses to media inquiries and public statements.

Elevate the organisation's voice and visibility across BNSSG and beyond, positioning the organisation as a trusted and influential system partner

Champion the organisation's role and impact through strategic storytelling, thought leadership, and public engagement.

Identify and leverage opportunities to showcase innovation, success, and leadership in primary care.

Build One Care's profile through events, publications and digital presence.

Ensure the organisation is recognised as a credible, collaborative, and forward-thinking partner in the health and care system.

Oversee the communications team, ensuring high performance, strategic alignment, and professional development

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing communications team with clear goals and accountability.

Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Ensure team activities are aligned with organisational strategy and deliver measurable impact.

Support professional development through coaching, training, and career progression opportunities

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree-level education in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field or demonstrable equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development in strategic communications and leadership.
• Proven track record of leading strategic communications and engagement at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• Extensive experience in developing and delivering integrated communications strategies, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, and brand management.
• Experience advising senior executives and boards on communications and public affairs.
• Strong background in stakeholder management, including working with media, elected officials, regulators, and system partners.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing communications teams.
• Familiarity with the health and care system, particularly primary care or NHS structures.
• Postgraduate qualification in communications, public affairs, marketing, or leadership.
• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Experience working within or alongside NHS organisations, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), or primary care networks.
• Track record of delivering communications in a politically sensitive or regulated environment.

PERSONAL QUALITIES, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and influence diverse audiences.

Proficiency in digital communications, social media, and analytics tools.

Strategic thinking and political acumen, with the ability to navigate complex environments and drive organisational impact.

Strong leadership and people management skills, including coaching and team development.

High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and foster collaboration.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Capable of working autonomously with minimal supervision

Ability to present concise and considered information

Demonstrable strong influencing and negotiating skills, displayed with confidence and resilience

Ability to use judgement to solve complex problems

Strong organisational skills and confident in delegating effectively

Ability to coach and challenge others in a supportive and constructive way

Capability to build, develop and maintain constructive working relationships both internally and externally

Demonstrable understanding and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Experience

• Evidence of continued professional development in strategic communications and leadership.
• Proven track record of leading strategic communications and engagement at a senior level within a complex organisation.
• Extensive experience in developing and delivering integrated communications strategies, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, and brand management.
• Experience advising senior executives and boards on communications and public affairs.
• Strong background in stakeholder management, including working with media, elected officials, regulators, and system partners.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing communications teams.
• Familiarity with the health and care system, particularly primary care or NHS structures.
• Postgraduate qualification in communications, public affairs, marketing, or leadership.
• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Experience working within or alongside NHS organisations, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), or primary care networks.
• Track record of delivering communications in a politically sensitive or regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field or demonstrable equivalent professional experience.

Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working