Head of Communications and Engagement

Oxford Health NHS Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in Oxford is seeking a Head of Communications and Engagement to lead strategies that connect staff, patients, and the public. This senior leadership role requires strong media relations and crisis communication skills. The ideal candidate has a Master's degree and extensive experience in NHS communications. The position offers opportunities for career progression and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS Discounts

Competitive pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of the NHS landscape.
• Extensive experience at senior level in communications.
• Experience managing sensitive media issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver strategies for staff engagement.
• Oversee communication strategies for patients and service users.
• Implement crisis communication strategies.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strategic thinking

Media relations

Crisis communication

Education

Masters degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Are you ready to lead the voice of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust?

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Communications and Engagement to shape and deliver a modern, strategic approach to how we connect with staff, patients, partners, and the public. This is a unique opportunity to take a senior leadership role at the heart of our organisation, championing inclusivity, transparency, and meaningful engagement across all we do.

You'll set the direction for a dynamic communications function, strengthening our reputation and bringing our vision to life. Leading a talented team, you'll ensure our people feel informed, involved, and motivated, while also driving public confidence in our services. From internal staff engagement to media relations, you'll bring creativity, insight, and authority to every aspect of communications. You'll be key in driving internal strategies that promote staff engagement, including overseeing staff surveys and pulse surveys, ensuring high participation and access for all Trust staff.

We're looking for an experienced, visionary leader with a solid understanding of the NHS landscape, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. If you're passionate about making a real difference for staff, patients, and communities, we'd love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

Internal Communications and Engagement

• Lead and deliver strategies to build an informed, motivated workforce. Oversee staff surveys, driving response rates and ensuring all staff can participate.
• Provide strategic advice to support Trust objectives by developing opportunities for feedback, involvement, and contribution to decision-making, including senior leadership events, listening sessions, staff networks, and inclusion activities.
• Promote staff engagement with surveys, ensuring all Trust staff have access and opportunity for participation, driving up response rate

Engagement and Media Relations

• Lead communication strategies for patients, service users, and carers, working with the Experience and Involvement team to enhance engagement and healthcare experiences.
• Develop and implement communications and engagement plans to support the Trust's vision and priorities, strengthening public and membership involvement.
• Create key messages to promote a positive Trust image while managing adverse publicity across all channels.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of media relations, events, corporate identity, and web-based communications procedures, ensuring consistency and quality.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent experience and knowledge

Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of staff engagement particularly in relation to staff surveys
• Ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS structures and current issues

Experience

• Extensive experience at senior level within a communications and/or engagement function
• Extensive experience of working with the media, including managing and responding to difficult/highly sensitive high profile media issues
• Experience of devising and implementing effective communications and engagement strategies
• Experience of crisis communications
• Experience of developing and promoting an organisation's brand/image

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.