Group Chief Communications & Engagement Officer

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Wollaton; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an accomplished Group Chief Communications & Engagement Officer to act as the CEO's principal adviser on reputational risk, governance, and messaging in routine and high-pressure situations.

The role provides expert strategic advice to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership on communications, reputation, and public affairs, safeguarding the Trust's reputation and managing media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement across

Qualifications

• Masters level or equivalent experience in communications.
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience advising the Board in communications/media within an NHS setting.
• Senior level experience leading engagement within an NHS setting.
• Experience of devising and implementing effective communications and engagement strategies including social media.
• Knowledge and experience of managing formal public consultation on service change.
• Knowledge and experience of high-profile media issues management.
• Deep knowledge of media handling, public affairs/stakeholder management, and communications governance (FOI, data protection, media law, consultation).
• Strong strategic judgement; able to handle complex, sensitive and contentious issues with influential stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and oversight of a comprehensive Group communications and engagement strategy aligned to objectives and values.
• Act as strategic lead for crisis and serious incident communications, advising CEO/ELT on strategy and messaging.
• Develop external communications plans to manage the Trust's reputation and support the Group Strategy.
• Set the approach for two-way staff communications with People/OD and clinical leadership.
• Own governance for public engagement and formal consultation on service change, ensuring inclusivity and defensibility within legal framework.
• Lead relationships with national/local media, maximise positive coverage and balance overall media coverage.
• Provide visible, values-based leadership to the communications and engagement function.

Skills

Board-level communication

Media handling

Public affairs

Stakeholder management

Strategic judgement

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Specialist communications qualification

CPD evidence

Job description

Group Chief Communications & Engagement Officer

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.

The post holder will provide expert, strategic advice to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership on communications, reputation, and public affairs.

They will act as the principal communication advisor, safeguarding the Group's reputation, managing media relations, and handling crisis communications.

The postholder will strengthen relationships with internal/external partners, including staff, patients, local communities, MPs, and regulatory bodies (e.g., NHS England). For the right individual, this role presents an exciting opportunity to influence and shape the future of our Group through outstanding communications, engagement and stakeholder leadership.

Main duties of the job

• 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.

About us

Lincoln Hospital is a thriving university city and with the opening of the medical school, it provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted teaching hospital status, after demonstrating evidence to significant teaching commitment. From now on it will be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Pilgrim Hospital is situated in beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

Grantham and District Hospital serves the communities of Grantham and the local area. It provides ambulatory paediatric and accident and emergency services.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county.

This will not constitute a formal merger of the two organisations, but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team, with the goal of improving the care that is provided to patients both in the community and in hospitals across Lincolnshire. Both Trusts will retain their separate statutory names and legal obligations.

The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).

Job responsibilities

Please review the Welcome Pack attached.

The detailed job description and main responsibilities can be found in the attached welcome pack.

Education & Qualifications

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

Experience

• Experience at Board level/advising the Board in communications/media in an NHS setting
• Experience of devising and implementing effective communications and engagement strategies including social media.
• Experience at a senior level of leading engagement within an NHS setting.

Skills, Ability & Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of managing formal public consultation on service change.
• Knowledge and experience of high-profile media issues management.
• Deep knowledge of media handling, public affairs/stakeholder management, and communications governance (including FOI, data protection, media law, consultation).
• Strong strategic judgement; able to handle complex, sensitive and contentious issues and operate credibly with influential stakeholders.

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.