Job Summary

Expert communicator. Values-led. Engagement whizz. Business brain. Team player. Priority juggler. Relationship cultivator. Storyteller. Long term strategist. Short term magician.

We're looking for two exceptional professionals.

Working in the Transformation Directorate (TD) communications and engagement team you'll provide strategic leadership to a key priority area - for example, Citizen Products, Data for Research and Development or Digital Infrastructure.

You'll work directly with your assigned area's senior management team, developing and driving the communications and engagement strategy across a myriad of fascinating, challenging and complex national programmes, linking them together through coherent, insight-led narratives.

Our team provide expertise to TD (a directorate of over 4000 people) ensuring communications is at the heart of planning and decision-making, alongside delivering corporate comms and events.

As a senior comms pro you know how to quickly establish yourself as a trusted advisor. You're a gifted negotiator, a confidant and ally; able to manage expectations, guide delivery and balance ever-shifting priorities. You're politically savvy, know when to challenge and when to concede and you skilfully create the right culture for talent to flourish.

If you believe in improving lives through digital, data, innovation and technology and match what we need, then we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to support the business needs of the Transformation Directorate. You can be reassigned to different directorates as the business priorities for NHS England change and develop.

The post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across their assigned directorate role. They will lead high quality, insight-led communications and engagement for their assigned area(s) that is measurable, impactful and helps policy, products and services to succeed. The role will set communications and engagement direction and strategy for their assigned area(s), advising senior leaders.

About Us

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:

Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
Delivering value for money.

If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

NHS England hold a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.

Date posted

21 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

990-STR-6704684-E

Job locations

NHS England Office in London/Leeds

London/Leeds

SE1 8UG

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Leading the development of compelling, integrated, content to best achieve the aims and objectives in their assigned area(s) contributing to forward planning and gridding processes
Leading the delivery of communications and engagement objectives for assigned area(s), aligning them to the communications objectives for NHSE and the overall strategy and business plan of NHSE,
Lead strategic collaboration and coordination with national, regional and other directorate communications functions in delivering against the directorate, national communications and organisational strategic objectives.
Lead and manage their comms and engagement team and evaluate performance

Please see the attached Job Description for further details on the role, responsibilities and person specification.

Please note this job vacancy is based in either Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP, Wellington House, London SE1 8UG.

Responsibilities

Job description Job responsibilities

Leading the development of compelling, integrated, content to best achieve the aims and objectives in their assigned area(s) contributing to forward planning and gridding processes
Leading the delivery of communications and engagement objectives for assigned area(s), aligning them to the communications objectives for NHSE and the overall strategy and business plan of NHSE,
Lead strategic collaboration and coordination with national, regional and other directorate communications functions in delivering against the directorate, national communications and organisational strategic objectives.
Lead and manage their comms and engagement team and evaluate performance

Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area

Knowledge and experience Essential

Substantial understanding, knowledge and skill in a range of communications disciplines from the following: strategic communications, internal communications, media relations, events, behaviour change, campaigns, marketing, reputation management, change management, stakeholder engagement, project management and public affairs.
Substantial experience of working in matrix environment where you are part of a comms and engagement team but are working directly with other policy/product/service teams, their senior leaders and stakeholders.
Excellent knowledge of communications planning in an agile way to enable a fast response to changing circumstances that may include new operating environments, the rapid introduction of new policies, products or services, and political and business uncertainty.
Substantial experience of working in a fast-paced environment, delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.

Skills Capabilities & Attributes Essential

Demonstrate excellent levels of written and verbal communication, with the ability explain complicated issues fluently and persuasively.
Analyse complex situations and provide advice to senior managers.
Recognise when business or communications activity is likely to create risk and consult with senior colleagues, contributing to resolving the problemwith the ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
Demonstrable experience developing, managing and motivating teams/individuals to ensure success

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area

Knowledge and experience Essential

Substantial understanding, knowledge and skill in a range of communications disciplines from the following: strategic communications, internal communications, media relations, events, behaviour change, campaigns, marketing, reputation management, change management, stakeholder engagement, project management and public affairs.
Substantial experience of working in matrix environment where you are part of a comms and engagement team but are working directly with other policy/product/service teams, their senior leaders and stakeholders.
Excellent knowledge of communications planning in an agile way to enable a fast response to changing circumstances that may include new operating environments, the rapid introduction of new policies, products or services, and political and business uncertainty.
Substantial experience of working in a fast-paced environment, delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.

Skills Capabilities & Attributes Essential

Demonstrate excellent levels of written and verbal communication, with the ability explain complicated issues fluently and persuasively.
Analyse complex situations and provide advice to senior managers.
Recognise when business or communications activity is likely to create risk and consult with senior colleagues, contributing to resolving the problemwith the ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
Demonstrable experience developing, managing and motivating teams/individuals to ensure success

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

NHS England Office in London/Leeds

London/Leeds

SE1 8UG

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

NHS England jobs

Lead Senior Communications and Engagement Manager