Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced communications professional to join The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust as a Senior Communications and Engagement Manager.
This role will lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement activity for the Trust’s Chelsea Development Programme, a high-profile and complex transformation initiative.
At The Royal Marsden, our vision is to deliver world-leading research, diagnosis, treatment, and care while improving outcomes for everyone affected by cancer locally, nationally, and internationally. To achieve this and create a hospital fit for the future, we are proposing to expand capacity in Chelsea which will allow us to support world-leading research and offer state-of-the-art technologies that better serves both patients and staff.
The postholder will provide expert advice to senior leaders and ensure that staff, patients, partners and local communities are effectively informed, engaged and involved throughout the programme.
Main duties of the job
The Senior Communications and Engagement Manager will:
- Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy for the Chelsea Development Programme
- Provide expert advice and guidance on complex, sensitive and potentially contentious communications issues
- Plan and deliver internal communications activity, including staff engagement initiatives and senior leadership events
- Support staff through organisational change by developing targeted engagement approaches
- Produce and oversee high-quality communications outputs, including briefings, FAQs, presentations and digital content
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Manage reputational risk and escalate issues appropriately to senior communications colleagues
- Use data, insight and evaluation methods to measure impact and improve communications activity
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience delivering communications and engagement strategies and plans for complex programmes/change environments within a complex organisation (NHS/healthcare or similarly high-profile setting)
- Demonstrable experience of designing and delivering internal communications and staff engagement plans that effectively engage and inform staff working in non-desk based environments
- Experience of handling reputation/issues management, including sensitive/contentious matters and advising senior leaders of the appropriate action to take, working autonomously
Desirable
- Experience of working in a dynamic, high-profile organisation that is a leader in its filed with a strong brand
- Understanding of the NHS/healthcare
Otherr Requirements
Essential
- Ability to flexibly work across Trust sites in line with service requirements
- Demonstrates a proactive, solution-focused approach to problem solving
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing competing priorities and adapting to changing circumstances
- Demonstrates the ability to contribute to wider Directorate and organisational objectives, supporting cross-functional initiatives where required
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree in communications or equivalent experience, highly specialist knowledge of strategic communications and engagement, underpinned by postgraduate-level study or equivalent experiential learning
Desirable
- Other professional qualifications e.g. CIPR or IoIC
- Evidence of continued professional development in strategic communications
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including copywriting, editing, briefing and presenting complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences
- Highly specialist knowledge in communications and engagement strategies and approaches - ability to distil complex and sensitive information into accessible communications for varied audiences
- Strong stakeholder management skills with ability to command confidence of the Executive Team, senior managers, senior Charity Leadership Team and clinical staff
- Demonstrable experience of working with and managing external agencies and partners, ensuring delivery to agreed objectives, quality standards and timescales
- Expert knowledge of communications methodologies within complex, high-profile transformation programmes (e.g., service change, estates redevelopment, organisational change) with strong planning and organisational skills
- Exceptional team player - demonstrating strong leadership and team management skills, able to offeer guidance and support and train others in specialist communication techniques as required
Desirable
- Digital communications and engagement capability, including using digital channels to enable participation and mitigate digital exclusion
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Communications and Engagement Manager with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £58,133 - £65,261 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 22 Jun 2026.
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