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Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Group Director of Communications & Engagement

The closing date is 15 February 2026

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Job summary

Join us as our Group Director of Communications and Engagement

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group is seeking an exceptional Group Director of Communications and Engagement to lead a modern, inclusive communications and engagement function across our three acute hospital sites.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the reputation, voice and influence of a newly formed University Hospitals Group. As a member of the Group Executive Team and a non-voting attendee at the Board, you will play a central role in strategic leadership and decision-making.

About the role

You will:

  • Lead a Group-wide communications and engagement strategy covering internal and external communications, stakeholders, brand and reputation.
  • Provide senior media, public affairs and crisis communications leadership.
  • Strengthen internal communications, workforce engagement and organisational pride.
  • Oversee brand and identity development.
  • Build and lead a high-performing communications team.
  • Ensure communications reflect our commitment to inclusion, accessibility and community impact.

Main duties of the job

About You

You will be an experienced senior communications leader with a strong track record at Board or Executive level in the NHS, public sector or a complex private-sector environment. You will bring:

  • Significant experience in strategic communications, engagement, crisis handling and media relations.
  • Extensive understanding of digital communications, social media and emerging communication technologies.
  • Strong political awareness and the ability to convey complex and sensitive messages to diverse audiences.
  • Experience leading complex teams, managing multiple programmes and working across organisational boundaries.
  • A proactive, inclusive leadership style that inspires trust, confidence and collaboration.
  • A deep commitment to the NHS, our values, and improving the experience of patients, staff and communities.

Why Join Us?

This is a transformative moment for the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. You will have the opportunity to:

  • Shape the strategic communications and engagement direction of a newly forming Group structure.
  • Build a modern, innovative and influential communications function from the ground up.
  • Work alongside executive colleagues to improve services, strengthen staff engagement and enhance the Group's visibility locally, regionally and nationally.
  • Play a key role in establishing a university hospitals system that supports excellence in research, education and clinical care.

About us

Our Group structure is aligning strategic ambitions and decision making and combining this with locally-focused delivery of care to enhance experience and outcomes for all our patients.

Details

Date posted

28 January 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

234-25-GROUP-DCE

Job locations

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

The Centrum, Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7UG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Set and deliver our Group-wide communications and engagement strategies

Support all our acute hospitals with proactive, efficient, effective and responsive communications services.

Lead media relations, crisis communications and public affairs

Drive inclusive internal communications and staff engagement

Strengthen relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders

Shape and evolve our Group and Trust brands and digital presence

Promote Group values and actively seek opportunities to enhance its reputation

Establish an evidence-based approach to communications, with clear performance measures and regular reporting.

Establish a robust stakeholder engagement and management function to increase targeted involvement and build and sustain support for Group aims and objectives.

With partners, develop an agreed strategy for engaging local communities, supporting co-production of policies and plans and ensuring patients can influence and shape service direction and delivery

Manage the Groups brand and design identity, promoting a unified system approach while respecting local site identities.

Ensure all communications are high-quality, accessible, and inclusive, leveraging social media and emerging technologies.

Build and develop a high performing, supportive and responsive communications and engagement function

Job description

Job responsibilities

Set and deliver our Group-wide communications and engagement strategies

Support all our acute hospitals with proactive, efficient, effective and responsive communications services.

Lead media relations, crisis communications and public affairs

Drive inclusive internal communications and staff engagement

Strengthen relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders

Shape and evolve our Group and Trust brands and digital presence

Promote Group values and actively seek opportunities to enhance its reputation

Establish an evidence-based approach to communications, with clear performance measures and regular reporting.

Establish a robust stakeholder engagement and management function to increase targeted involvement and build and sustain support for Group aims and objectives.

With partners, develop an agreed strategy for engaging local communities, supporting co-production of policies and plans and ensuring patients can influence and shape service direction and delivery

Manage the Groups brand and design identity, promoting a unified system approach while respecting local site identities.

Ensure all communications are high-quality, accessible, and inclusive, leveraging social media and emerging technologies.

Build and develop a high performing, supportive and responsive communications and engagement function

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level and with equivalent senior level experience.
  • Specialist communications qualification or equivalent professional knowledge

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience advising Boards in large, complex organisations (NHS, public sector or equivalent).
  • Extensive experience developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies.
  • Strong background in crisis communications and media handling.
  • Experience working across organisations and systems.

Skills

Essential

  • Expertise in high profile media issues, public/patient engagement and formal consultations.
  • Politically astute with strong judgement.
  • Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Behaviours & Values

Essential

  • Positive, confident and collaborative approach.
  • Commitment to the NHS and Group values.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level and with equivalent senior level experience.
  • Specialist communications qualification or equivalent professional knowledge

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience advising Boards in large, complex organisations (NHS, public sector or equivalent).
  • Extensive experience developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies.
  • Strong background in crisis communications and media handling.
  • Experience working across organisations and systems.

Skills

Essential

  • Expertise in high profile media issues, public/patient engagement and formal consultations.
  • Politically astute with strong judgement.
  • Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Behaviours & Values

Essential

  • Positive, confident and collaborative approach.
  • Commitment to the NHS and Group values.

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.

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

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.

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

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

The Centrum, Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7UG


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

The Centrum, Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7UG


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Interim Communications Director

Jo Hannam

Joanna.hannam@nnuh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

28 January 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

234-25-GROUP-DCE

Job locations

Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group

The Centrum, Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7UG


Supporting documents

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