Job requirements
Essential
9 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Significant experience of leading patient, public and community involvement (PPCI) or stakeholder engagement programmes within a complex healthcare, public sector or regulated environment.
- Experience
Experience of developing and implementing engagement strategies and governance frameworks.
- Experience
Experience of leading large-scale public consultation and engagement activities, including ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Experience
Experience of commissioning, managing and evaluating external providers, consultants or research partners.
- Qualifications
Post-graduate qualification or professional diploma in communications, public relations, engagement or a related discipline.
- Skills & Knowledge
Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills.
- Skills & Knowledge
Strong project management, organisational and planning skills.
- Skills & Knowledge
Ability to develop governance processes, policies and assurance frameworks.
- Skills & Knowledge
Ability to analyse feedback, interpret findings and use insights to inform strategic decision-making.
Desirable
5 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience of working within an NHS Foundation Trust and supporting Council of Governors and membership engagement.
- Experience
Experience of leading engagement activities associated with major capital developments, service transformation programmes or New Hospital Programmes.
- Qualifications
Professional body membership and/or accreditation (e.g. CIPR, PRCA or equivalent).
- Skills & Knowledge
Facilitation and consultation skills, including managing challenging discussions and competing interests.
- Skills & Knowledge
Ability to design innovative approaches to community and public engagement, particularly with seldom-heard groups.
Job overview
Shape the Future of Healthcare Through Meaningful Engagement
Are you passionate about ensuring the voices of patients, communities and the public influence healthcare decisions at the highest level?
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Involvement to lead our patient, public and community involvement agenda. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking Communications and Engagement Directorate and play a pivotal role in shaping how we engage with the people who use, support and influence our services.
As our Head of Involvement, you will provide strategic leadership across the Trust's involvement programmes, ensuring engagement activity is meaningful, inclusive, legally robust and delivers real impact. You will work closely with senior leaders, governors, community partners and stakeholders to strengthen relationships, amplify patient voices and support the delivery of our organisational priorities.
This role will be central to delivering the Trust's ambitions for patient and public involvement, including leading engagement activity linked to major transformation programmes such as the New Hospital Programme.
Main duties of the job
As a senior member of the Communications and Engagement team, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of the Trust's patient, public and community involvement strategy.
- Provide strategic leadership for engagement activity associated with the New Hospital Programme, ensuring activities meet governance requirements and recognised involvement principles.
- Build and maintain influential relationships with key partners, including Healthwatch organisations, voluntary and community groups, independent research partners and seldom-heard communities.
- Lead the governance framework for Foundation Trust member and governor engagement, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while fostering meaningful and proactive involvement.
- Commission and oversee specialist engagement, research and evaluation activity, ensuring value for money and effective governance.
- Work with senior executives, governors and external stakeholders to embed a culture where patient and community insight informs decision-making and service improvement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Involvement with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Frimley, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Head of service 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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