Job requirements
Essential
10 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Significant senior experience delivering communications and engagement in a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation.
- Experience
Demonstrable experience leading and owning complex, multi-channel communications and engagement campaigns or programmes, with accountability for outcomes.
- Experience
Demonstrated experience contributing to crisis or issues management communications, including drafting holding positions and managing fast-moving situations.
- Experience
Experience managing and developing others, with evidence of building team capability and professional standards.
- Experience
Experience using data and audience insight to inform planning and evaluate impact.
- Qualifications
Post-graduate qualification or professional diploma in communications, public relations, engagement or a related discipline.
- Skills & Knowledge
Strong practitioner skills across the core communications disciplines: writing, media relations, stakeholder engagement and campaign planning.
- Skills & Knowledge
Confident user of data and insight to set objectives, track performance and make evidence-based decisions.
- Skills & Knowledge
Sound understanding of digital communications channels, content formats and audience behaviour.
- Skills & Knowledge
Experience with social media management, digital content production or channel analytics.
Desirable
6 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
NHS, public sector or similarly regulated communications environment experience.
- Experience
Experience commissioning and managing external communications or creative support.
- Experience
Experience delivering communications to support organisational change, staff engagement or culture development.
- Qualifications
Professional body membership and/or accreditation (e.g. CIPR, PRCA or equivalent).
- Skills & Knowledge
Understanding of behaviour change methodologies and their application in communications planning.
- Skills & Knowledge
Familiarity with NHS communications frameworks, regulatory environment or public sector accountability structures.
Job overview
Lead Communications That Make a Difference
Are you an experienced communications leader looking for an opportunity to shape the reputation, voice and engagement of one of the NHS's largest and most ambitious organisations?
We are seeking an outstanding Head of Communications and Engagement to lead high-impact communications and engagement programmes that help deliver our strategic objectives, strengthen our reputation and connect our staff, patients and communities with the work we do every day.
This is a senior leadership role within our integrated Communications and Engagement function. You will lead a dedicated team, providing expert counsel to senior leaders while delivering impactful campaigns that inform, engage and inspire.
If you're an experienced communications leader with the vision, credibility and passion to drive meaningful engagement and help shape the future of one of the NHS's most exciting organisations, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us tell the Frimley Health story.
Main duties of the job
You will play a pivotal role in:
- Leading complex, multi-channel communications and engagement campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
- Providing trusted strategic communications advice to divisional and programme leaders.
- Supporting the Trust's response to high-profile issues, significant incidents and reputational challenges.
- Driving evidence-based communications through insight, measurement and audience understanding.
- Developing communications professionals and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration.
- Helping shape the future direction of communications and engagement across the organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role please refer to the job description/person specification.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Digital Communications and Engagement with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Frimley, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £59,798 - £67,020 per annum incl HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 29 Oct 2026.
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