Head of Communication & Engagement

Southern Hospice Group; Chichester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

NHS pension

35 days leave

Education support

Bupa access

Free parking

Meal subsidies

Gym discounts

Employee assistance

Death in service

Job summary

Southern Hospice Group is seeking a Head of Communications to set the direction for our communications and engagement across three hospices. You will lead external and internal communications, media relations, reputation and strategic storytelling, working closely with senior leaders to turn priorities into an insight-led strategy that strengthens our reputation.

You will advise senior leaders, manage risk, and champion an open, collaborative culture while developing the Communications and

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience across communications, engagement or public relations with strategy delivery.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and steer sensitive messaging.
• Experience leading internal and external comms across multiple audiences.
• Strong writing, storytelling and verbal communication skills with inclusivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead an integrated communications and engagement function across three hospices.
• Develop an insight-led strategy aligning with organisational priorities.
• Advise senior leaders and shape messaging for major decisions.
• Develop and lead the Communications and Engagement team and priorities.
• Strengthen reputation, engagement and trust with staff, volunteers and the public.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Digital, Fundraising, Clinical Services and People teams.

Skills

Senior communications leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder advisory

Team leadership

Audience insight

Storytelling

Inclusive communication

Job description

At Southern Hospice Group, good communication is not simply about visibility, it helps people understand our care, trust our organisation, support our work and stay connected through change. This role will set the direction for how we communicate and engage across three hospices, strengthening our reputation and ensuring our voice is clear, credible and relevant. You will lead an integrated communications and engagement function spanning external communications, media, reputation, internal communications and strategic storytelling. Working closely with senior leaders, you will turn organisational priorities into a focused, insight-led strategy and make sure communications is considered early in major decisions, transformation and service development. You will be a trusted adviser to senior leaders, able to anticipate risk, shape complex or sensitive messages and build confidence in how we communicate. You will also lead and develop the Communications and Engagement team, creating clear priorities and effective ways of working across Marketing, Digital, Fundraising, Retail, Clinical Services, the People Team and Corporate Partnerships. Success will mean stronger awareness and trust, a more informed and connected workforce, clearer organisational narrative and communications activity that can demonstrate its impact. You'll be Working closely with senior leaders, the postholder will develop and deliver a comprehensive, insight-led communications and engagement strategy that strengthens reputation, supports organisational priorities and enables long-term sustainability. As a member of the wider leadership community, the Head of Communications plays a critical role in shaping organisational narrative, supporting transformation and championing a culture of openness, collaboration and impact.

• You do not need to come from a hospice or charity background. What matters is that you can bring relevant expertise, understand the responsibility attached to our work and use your skills to deliver meaningful, measurable impact.
• Senior-level experience across communications, engagement or public relations, with evidence of delivering strategy against organisational priorities.
• Sound judgement in media relations, reputation management, issues preparedness and sensitive or crisis communications.
• The credibility to advise and influence senior stakeholders, including when the message or decision is difficult.
• Experience leading internal and external communications across multiple audiences and channels, including organisational change or transformation.
• A strong track record of leading and developing teams, establishing priorities and improving delivery.
• The ability to use audience insight, feedback and performance measures to make choices and improve impact.
• Excellent writing, storytelling and verbal communication, with a clear commitment to inclusive and accessible communication.
• A collaborative, commercially aware approach, We warmly welcome applications from all sections of our community. We also invite applications from suitably experienced people for all industry sectors who can demonstrate the skills, ability and enthusiasm to work with a people-centric organisation like ours. Southern Hospice Group is the largest group of hospices in Sussex and one of the largest in the UK. We are committed to providing exceptional and compassionate care to adults, children and their families across Sussex. Bringing our teams and resources together as one organisation means we can focus on new and exciting visions and plans for our people and patients and provide even greater opportunities for our workforce. St Barnabas House provides specialist palliative care to adults in the Worthing, Adur, Arun and Henfield areas through a range of services, including in-patient care and community living well services. Chestnut Tree House is the children's hospice for East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire, providing specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Martlets provides essential care to people affected by terminal illness in Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas. Our expert teams provide the very best care and support, helping patients and their loved ones to live life to the full during the precious time they have together.
• Company pension scheme or NHS pension scheme for eligible employees
• Up to 35 days' annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• On-site education support and study leave opportunities
• Option to access Bupa and cover your everyday cost of healthcare for less
• Free parking, subsidised meals and various social activities
• Corporate rate gym membership, discounts with local complementary therapies and Blue Light Card
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service