Group Director of Communications & Engagement

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A university hospitals group in the UK is seeking a Group Director of Communications and Engagement to lead the communications strategy across multiple hospital sites. The role involves enhancing internal and external communications, crisis management, and driving stakeholder engagement. Candidates should have substantial experience at the executive level within the NHS or public sector, with strong abilities in strategic communication and team leadership. Join to help shape a modern, inclusive communications function and impact patient and community outcomes.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape strategic direction

Work alongside executive colleagues

Contribute to improving services and engagement

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic communications within NHS or public sector.
• Proven track record at Board or Executive level.
• Strong ability to convey complex messages to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead Group-wide communications and engagement strategy.
• Provide senior media and crisis communications leadership.
• Build and lead a high performing communications team.

Skills

Strategic communications

Crisis handling

Media relations

Leadership

Digital communications

Community engagement

Job description

A Vacancy at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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.

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.

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.

• 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 Group’s 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

This advert closes on Sunday 15 Feb 2026