Band 8b - Head of Colleague Communications, Communications

NHS; Watford; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Watford is seeking a creative internal communications expert to enhance colleague engagement and communication strategies. The role involves developing high-quality internal communications, advising senior leaders, and fostering a sense of belonging within the Trust. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for staff wellbeing and development

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and delivering high impact campaigns.
• Extensive experience in internal communications strategies.
• Proven track record for leading high performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for internal communications and engagement strategy.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Lead the development of the new intranet.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Engagement

Education

Degree level education

Specialist communications qualification

Job description

Job summary

With nearly 6,000 staff members working across four sites, it's vital we keep our people informed, supported and engaged.That's not easy. Time is tight, clinical staff are busy treating patients and demand for services are higher than ever. In truth, few people are waiting for a newsletter to drop into their inbox.

And that's where you come in. We're looking for a creative, insights-led internal communications expert to help us not only improve how we communicate with our colleagues but also how we meaningful engage with them.

You will play a key role in helping foster a sense of belonging in the Trust, build an inclusive, community feel and champion the people who make this such a special place to work.

You will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of an effective, high quality internal communications and engagement strategy to support the objectives of the Trust.

You will provide both strategic and tactical advice to senior leaders relating to key issues and priorities, and sure we provide a highly effective operational communications service to the Trust.

It's an exciting time to join us - we're a small, friendly team with big ambitions to punch well above our weight. If you're ambitious, passionate about making a difference and know how you can help deliver real impact for our communities then we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of an effective, high quality internal communications and staff engagement strategy to support the objectives of the Trust in line with the communications strategy.

You will provide both strategic and tactical internal communications and engagement advice to the senior leaders relating to key issues and priorities, whilst ensuring we provide a highly effective operational communications service to the Trust.

Lead the development of measurement and evaluation approaches for internal and engagement communications enabling the Trust to develop an evidence base for its work.

Advise senior colleagues on strategic internal communications and engagement issues, writing briefs and reports for directors as required.

Support in improving and strengthening the overall communications team, sharing skills, knowledge and role modelling our behaviours.

Support in delivering key staff engagement events and 'thank yous', including the annual Star of Herts awards and finding ways to celebrate our colleagues' work.

Develop and drive an innovative approach to the development of internal communications and engagement, exploring best practice approaches from the public and private sectors to empower and motivate our diverse workforce.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,337 to £74,415 a year inc. HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-E-6967

Job locations

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB

Job description Job responsibilities

Broad leadership responsibilities for staff communications and engagement across the Trust.

Provide support, tools and guidance for colleagues relating to specific on-going projects and initiatives, such as the values and behaviours.

Audit internal communications and engagement channels on a regular basis and devise and implement action plans to make any required improvements.

Discover the most effective, simple and impactful way of communicating with staff and in what format.

Lead the development of our new intranet, and ensure we maximise its relevancy and effectiveness to our staff community.

Act as a creative lead for the development of first class internal content including copy writing, photography and film to tell our story online in way that excites and inspires.

Line management responsibility of the internal communications and engagement team, supporting their professional development and training.

Develop campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.

Provide on-going support for the Trusts redevelopment ambitions, ensuring staff are aware of the changes, benefits and timelines.

Job description Job responsibilities

Broad leadership responsibilities for staff communications and engagement across the Trust.

Provide support, tools and guidance for colleagues relating to specific on-going projects and initiatives, such as the values and behaviours.

Audit internal communications and engagement channels on a regular basis and devise and implement action plans to make any required improvements.

Discover the most effective, simple and impactful way of communicating with staff and in what format.

Lead the development of our new intranet, and ensure we maximise its relevancy and effectiveness to our staff community.

Act as a creative lead for the development of first class internal content including copy writing, photography and film to tell our story online in way that excites and inspires.

Line management responsibility of the internal communications and engagement team, supporting their professional development and training.

Develop campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.

Provide on-going support for the Trusts redevelopment ambitions, ensuring staff are aware of the changes, benefits and timelines.

Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of large organisation-wide projects involving operational and cultural change
• Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative methods for gaining audience insights.
• Understanding the latest developments in internal communications and engagement
• Understanding how to. identify and target specific audience groups
• Knowledge of integrated content approaches and delivery

Desirable

• Knowledge of brand management and marketing techniques and their application.
• Knowledge of internal communications and engagement approaches from across sectors

Experience Essential

• Developing and delivering high impact campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.
• Extensive experience of devising, writing and implementing effective internal communications and engagement strategies - including both traditional and digital communications - and evaluating outcomes
• Devising and delivering strategic content and engagement plans which inform, engage and connect with staff in a busy operational environment.
• Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and engagement and designing channels that target audiences precisely
• Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.
• Experience of guiding the internal response to major incidents and crisis communications.
• Experience in embedding values within an organisation and culture change communications.
• Experience in use of data to shape approach and guide comms strategies.
• Proven track record for leading and developing high performing teams
• In-depth experience of devising and delivering impactful, integrated staff campaigns across multiple channels
• Experience of devising and implementing internal communications guidance and policies within a complex organisation.
• Experience of a wide range of internal communications platforms and tactics, including videos, briefings, Teams, and in-person visits / listening sessions.
• Experience of advising leadership on internal communications best practice.
• Experience of devising business partner models of service delivery.
• Experience of building strong networks across an organisation.
• Experience of training and upskilling teams on internal communications best practice.
• Experience of writing excellent copy for a wide range of outlets and for a wide range of target audiences (op-eds; features, news, briefing).
• Experience of managing/supervising staff effectively, and growing skills and experience.
• Experience of successfully managing large scale stakeholder events, launches and campaigns
• Experience of planning and delivering engagement events and exercises, and targeting different staff audiences effectively.
• Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.

Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of large organisation-wide projects involving operational and cultural change
• Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative methods for gaining audience insights.
• Understanding the latest developments in internal communications and engagement
• Understanding how to. identify and target specific audience groups
• Knowledge of integrated content approaches and delivery

Desirable

• Knowledge of brand management and marketing techniques and their application.
• Knowledge of internal communications and engagement approaches from across sectors

Experience Essential

• Developing and delivering high impact campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.
• Extensive experience of devising, writing and implementing effective internal communications and engagement strategies - including both traditional and digital communications - and evaluating outcomes
• Devising and delivering strategic content and engagement plans which inform, engage and connect with staff in a busy operational environment.
• Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and engagement and designing channels that target audiences precisely
• Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.
• Experience of guiding the internal response to major incidents and crisis communications.
• Experience in embedding values within an organisation and culture change communications.
• Experience in use of data to shape approach and guide comms strategies.
• Proven track record for leading and developing high performing teams
• In-depth experience of devising and delivering impactful, integrated staff campaigns across multiple channels
• Experience of devising and implementing internal communications guidance and policies within a complex organisation.
• Experience of a wide range of internal communications platforms and tactics, including videos, briefings, Teams, and in-person visits / listening sessions.
• Experience of advising leadership on internal communications best practice.
• Experience of devising business partner models of service delivery.
• Experience of building strong networks across an organisation.
• Experience of training and upskilling teams on internal communications best practice.
• Experience of writing excellent copy for a wide range of outlets and for a wide range of target audiences (op-eds; features, news, briefing).
• Experience of managing/supervising staff effectively, and growing skills and experience.
• Experience of successfully managing large scale stakeholder events, launches and campaigns
• Experience of planning and delivering engagement events and exercises, and targeting different staff audiences effectively.
• Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)