Head of Communications

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Portsmouth seeks dynamic Heads of Communications to lead strategic communications initiatives. You will develop and deliver impactful programs promoting diverse stakeholder engagement. This role requires a degree in communications and extensive experience in leading communications within healthcare. Excellent leadership and project management skills are essential along with the ability to manage media relations effectively. Join a collaborative environment making meaningful changes in healthcare communications.

Benefits

On-site Wellness Centre

Access to free Beach Hut

On-site Nursery

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in communications, journalism, PR or a related field.
• Evidence of continued professional development in communications.
• Experience leading communications in a large, complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement proactive communications strategies.
• Manage complex campaigns and media relations.
• Support consultation and engagement activities.

Skills

Crisis Management

Public Relations

Stakeholder Engagement

Media Relations

Strategic Planning

Education

Degree in Communications, Journalism or PR

Postgraduate qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint)

Online content management systems

Job description

Please note this vacancy is only open to applications from those employed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System. These include :

• Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust(formerly Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust)
• Isle of Wight NHS Trust
• Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
• South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

Employer : Isle of Wight NHS Trust & Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Department : Communications and Engagement Single Corporate Services

Location : Multi-site (Isle of Wight & Portsmouth)

Salary : Band 8a55690- 62682 per annum pro rata

Job Type : Permanent

Working Pattern : Full-time 37.5 hours per week

Closing Date : Monday 24th November 2025

Interview Date : Wednesday 10th December 2025

We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Heads of Communications to join our Single Corporate Services Communications and Engagement Team supporting both the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

These are pivotal roles within a fast‑paced creative and collaborative team where you will lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement programmes that support organisational priorities, enhance reputation and connect meaningfully with our staff, patients and communities.

Main Duties of the Job

• Lead and implement proactive communications strategies across both Trusts.
• Manage complex campaigns, media relations and reputation management.
• Provide expert advice on internal and external communications, including crisis response.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, clinicians and stakeholders to promote services and initiatives.
• Champion inclusive communications that reflect the diversity of our population.
• Line‑manage communications staff and contribute to the creative direction of the team.
• Support consultation and engagement activities ensuring meaningful involvement of staff, patients and the public.
• Deputise for the Associate Director of Communications as required.

About You

Were looking for individuals who are :

• Educated to degree level in communications, journalism, PR or a related field (postgraduate qualification desirable).
• Experienced in leading communications in a complex organisation, ideally within healthcare.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, media handling and strategic messaging.
• Confident in managing sensitive issues and high‑profile campaigns.
• Strong leaders and team players with excellent communication and project‑management skills.
• Able to work flexibly across sites and as part of an on‑call rota.

Working for Our Organisation

These roles are part of a Single Corporate Service supporting both Trusts. You’ll be working across two vibrant NHS organisations contributing to meaningful change and innovation in healthcare communications. Travel between sites may be required with arrangements discussed individually.

We value diversity, inclusion and creativity and offer a supportive environment where your ideas and leadership will make a real difference.

Apply Now

If you’re ready to lead impactful communications in roles that span two forward‑thinking NHS Trusts, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion please contact: Carol Deans, Group Director of Communications via Anna Benford Executive Assistant on ext 4204 or Jenny Renyard, Associate Director of Communications via email –

Job Description

Qualifications : Essential

• Educated to degree level in public relations, journalism, digital communications or another relevant field (or equivalent experience).
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject area or equivalent relevant experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development and national best practice within the communications sector.

Desirable

• Specialist communication postgraduate qualification in the field of healthcare (or working towards).

Experience

• Extensive experience of communications journalism and marketing techniques and approaches.
• Extensive experience of working within a senior communications role, preferably within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating communication and engagement plans tailored to a range of audiences including patients, communities, staff and other key stakeholders.
• Experienced in delivering communications and engagement activity to support large‑scale change.
• Confidence and ability to lead and deliver communication campaigns ensuring alignment with the wider organisational strategy.
• Understanding and experience of stakeholder management and engagement and evidence of application of approach.
• Experience of handling complex/sensitive issues or scenarios (e.g. legal investigation, confidentiality, controversy).
• Demonstrable experience of utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve desired outcomes (e.g. when working with directors, senior leaders, managers, clinicians).

Desirable

• Experience / understanding of healthcare communications.
• Experience of crisis management.
• High level of political awareness and sensitivity – ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS structures, processes and current issues.

Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to influence strategic decision making for the benefit of the Trusts and their stakeholders.
• Proactive and highly motivated with a flexible approach and receptive to change.
• Proven track record of leading, project‑managing and delivering communications campaigns and events.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with changing and conflicting interests in challenging situations with a range of factors to consider.
• Strong team player, demonstrable evidence of supporting, motivating and guiding colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent people‑management and leadership skills, motivating people to live up to our values and succeed.
• Excellent time and project‑management skills.
• Excellent communication skills including editing, copy‑writing and interview techniques.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confidence to work independently and advise senior colleagues utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and good working knowledge of online content management systems.
• Sound news judgement and sound working knowledge of journalism and the media.
• Understanding of multimedia campaigns, digital communications and social media.
• Multi‑disciplinary working encompassing PR, communications, online and offline media, events, etc.
• Experience of making formal presentations on complex or contentious topics using appropriate approaches.

Additional Information

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on‑site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on‑site Wellness Centre (including a gym and a swimming pool) and access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality, and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Remote Work : No

Employment Type : Full‑time

Key Skills

Crisis Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising, Media Relations, Constant Contact, Strategic Planning, Social Media Management, Team Management, Public Speaking, Wordpress, Writing Skills

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1