Group Director of Communications & Engagement

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital; Norwich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Group Director of Communications and Engagement. This senior-level role entails leading communications initiatives across multiple hospital sites, shaping the organization's strategic direction, and ensuring effective engagement with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should have significant experience in strategic communications, crisis management, and leadership within the healthcare sector. This position offers the chance to make a transformative impact on the organization's visibility and reputation.

Qualifications

• Experienced senior communications leader with a strong track record at Board or Executive level.
• Significant experience advising Boards in complex organizations.
• Strong political awareness and judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications and engagement strategy across the three hospital sites.
• Build and lead a high-performing communications team.
• Drive inclusive communications and staff engagement.

Skills

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Media relations

Digital communications

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Public affairs

Education

Degree level education

Specialist communications qualification

Job description

Group Director of Communications & Engagement

Join us as our Group Director of Communications and Engagement

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group is seeking an exceptional Group Director of Communications and Engagement to lead a modern, inclusive communications and engagement function across our three acute hospital sites.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the reputation, voice and influence of a newly formed University Hospitals Group. As a member of the Group Executive Team and a non-voting attendee at the Board, you will play a central role in strategic leadership and decision-making.

About the role

You will:

• Lead a Group-wide communications and engagement strategy covering internal and external communications, stakeholders, brand and reputation.
• Provide senior media, public affairs and crisis communications leadership.
• Strengthen internal communications, workforce engagement and organisational pride.
• Oversee brand and identity development.
• Build and lead a high-performing communications team.
• Ensure communications reflect our commitment to inclusion, accessibility and community impact.

Main duties of the job

About You

You will be an experienced senior communications leader with a strong track record at Board or Executive level in the NHS, public sector or a complex private-sector environment. You will bring:

• Significant experience in strategic communications, engagement, crisis handling and media relations.
• Extensive understanding of digital communications, social media and emerging communication technologies.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to convey complex and sensitive messages to diverse audiences.
• Experience leading complex teams, managing multiple programmes and working across organisational boundaries.
• A proactive, inclusive leadership style that inspires trust, confidence and collaboration.
• A deep commitment to the NHS, our values, and improving the experience of patients, staff and communities.

Why Join Us?

This is a transformative moment for the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape the strategic communications and engagement direction of a newly forming Group structure.
• Build a modern, innovative and influential communications function from the ground up.
• Work alongside executive colleagues to improve services, strengthen staff engagement and enhance the Group's visibility locally, regionally and nationally.
• Play a key role in establishing a university hospitals system that supports excellence in research, education and clinical care.

About us

Our Group structure is aligning strategic ambitions and decision making and combining this with locally-focused delivery of care to enhance experience and outcomes for all our patients.

Job responsibilities

• Set and deliver our Group-wide communications and engagement strategies
• Support all our acute hospitals with proactive, efficient, effective and responsive communications services.
• Lead media relations, crisis communications and public affairs
• Drive inclusive internal communications and staff engagement
• Strengthen relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders
• Shape and evolve our Group and Trust brands and digital presence
• Promote Group values and actively seek opportunities to enhance its reputation
• Establish an evidence-based approach to communications, with clear performance measures and regular reporting.
• Establish a robust stakeholder engagement and management function to increase targeted involvement and build and sustain support for Group aims and objectives.
• With partners, develop an agreed strategy for engaging local communities, supporting co-production of policies and plans and ensuring patients can influence and shape service direction and delivery
• Manage the Groups brand and design identity, promoting a unified system approach while respecting local site identities.
• Ensure all communications are high-quality, accessible, and inclusive, leveraging social media and emerging technologies.
• Build and develop a high performing, supportive and responsive communications and engagement function

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level and with equivalent senior level experience.
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent professional knowledge

Experience

• Significant experience advising Boards in large, complex organisations (NHS, public sector or equivalent).
• Extensive experience developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies.
• Strong background in crisis communications and media handling.
• Experience working across organisations and systems.

Skills

• Expertise in high profile media issues, public/patient engagement and formal consultations.
• Politically astute with strong judgement.
• Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Positive, confident and collaborative approach.
• Commitment to the NHS and Group values.

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.

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group