Head of Communications

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Croydon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Head of Communications to lead the team, shape the organisation’s reputation and drive the communications strategy across internal and external audiences.

The role involves advising senior leaders, leading media relations and digital engagement, and ensuring alignment with operational priorities and patient-centred care. You will manage a team, develop campaigns and oversee major communications initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic communications, media management and stakeholder engagement.
• Significant experience in a senior communications role.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver integrated communications strategies.
• Strong knowledge of media relations, reputation management and crisis communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders and working with executive teams.
• Experience managing and developing communications teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong understanding of digital communications including websites and social media.
• Experience in healthcare, public sector or complex organisations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communications plans aligned with Trust priorities.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, executives and Board members.
• Manage and develop a high-performing communications team.
• Lead media relations, including proactive opportunities and crisis responses.
• Provide communications leadership during major incidents and sensitive issues.
• Develop campaigns to build public confidence and highlight staff/patient achievements.
• Build relationships with media across local to national levels.
• Support spokespeople with media training and interview prep.
• Oversee digital communications and social media channels.
• Oversee production of publications, briefings and corporate materials.
• Support public and patient engagement activities and events.
• Foster relationships with healthcare partners and external agencies.
• Provide communications support for high-profile visits by MPs/ministers.
• Monitor effectiveness through evaluation and reporting.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media management

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Team leadership

Digital communications

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Communications to join an healthcare Trusts communications team and play a key role in shaping the organisation’s reputation, engagement and communications strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished communications professional to lead a talented team, provide strategic advice to senior leaders and deliver impactful communications that support the Trust’s operational priorities, transformation programmes and commitment to patients, service users and communities.

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Fundraising, the successful candidate will provide leadership across corporate communications, media relations, internal communications, digital engagement, public affairs and reputation management.

About the Role

As Head of Communications, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of the Communications Team, ensuring effective communications activity across internal and external audiences. You will provide expert advice to senior stakeholders, including the Trust Board, and support the delivery of the organisation’s communications strategy.

You will be responsible for managing a team of communications professionals, developing campaigns, strengthening stakeholder relationships and ensuring the Trust maintains a positive public profile.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communications plans aligned with Trust priorities and objectives.
• Provide expert communications advice to senior leaders, executives and Board members.
• Manage and develop a high-performing communications team, supporting staff development, performance and professional growth.
• Lead media relations activity, including proactive opportunities, reactive responses and crisis communications.
• Provide communications leadership during major incidents and sensitive issues.
• Develop campaigns that build public confidence, promote services and highlight the achievements of staff and patients.
• Build strong relationships with local, regional, national and specialist media.
• Support senior spokespeople through media training and interview preparation.
• Lead digital communications activity, including website, intranet and social media channels.
• Oversee the production of key publications, briefings and corporate communications materials.
• Support public and patient engagement activities, events and stakeholder communications.
• Develop effective relationships with healthcare partners, community organisations, political stakeholders and external agencies.
• Provide communications support for high-profile visits, including MPs, ministers and other stakeholders.
• Monitor communications effectiveness through evaluation, reporting and insight.

About You

• You will be an experienced communications professional with a strong background in strategic communications, media management and stakeholder engagement.
• Significant experience working in a senior communications role.
• Proven experience developing and delivering integrated communications strategies.
• Strong knowledge of media relations, reputation management and crisis communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders and working with executive teams.
• Experience managing and developing communications teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive communications issues.
• Strong understanding of digital communications, including websites and social media.
• Experience working within healthcare, public sector or a similarly complex organisation would be advantageous.

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation where communications plays a vital role in improving confidence, engagement and understanding across patients, staff and communities.

You will have the opportunity to influence communications strategy, lead a talented team and make a meaningful contribution to the Trust’s future success.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust