Job summary
Barts Health NHS Trust is building a state-of-the-art Clinical Research Facility (CRF) on the 15th floor of the Royal London Hospital, opening in 2026. Supported by a major NIHR infrastructure award and Barts Charity, the CRF will provide world-class facilities for early phase clinical trials. We are now looking for a dedicated Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)and Comms Lead to help ensure our CRF reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. This exciting role will shape strategy, support the Community Advisory Group, and deliver innovative engagement activities to strengthen the impact and inclusivity of research across Barts Health.
We are seeking someone with proven experience in developing and delivering public involvement or engagement activities, ideally in a healthcare or research setting. You will be an excellent communicator, able to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders, and passionate about equity and inclusivity in research. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects are essential, as is the confidence to represent the CRF and influence at both local and national levels
Main duties of the job
As part of this role, you will support the Communications Team by identifying impactful case studies for use across internal and external channels, including podcasts, filming opportunities, and news articles. You will be responsible for producing high-quality communications and presentations in accessible language, ensuring our work is clearly understood by non-specialist audiences. Acting as the main point of contact for CRF communications, you will manage content across the website, intranet, and social media platforms, and ensure CRF branding is consistent and compliant with Trust and funder principles.
You will also play a vital role in monitoring and evaluating the impact of PPIE activity. This will include maintaining accurate records of community involvement, tracking diversity of participants, and producing clear summaries, statistics, and reports. You will ensure feedback is captured, shared, and acted upon at the appropriate meetings, while also seeking opportunities to publicise insights and experiences from patients and the public. Preparing reports, case studies, and presentations for events such as annual reviews, training sessions, and open days will be an important part of demonstrating the reach and value of our work.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
If you wish to learn more about the role please contact Neeta Patel neeta.patel6@nhs.net Associate Director of Research Engagement or Jo Morgan jo.morgan7@nhs.net CRF Operations Director
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
If you wish to learn more about the role please contact Neeta Patel neeta.patel6@nhs.net Associate Director of Research Engagement or Jo Morgan jo.morgan7@nhs.net CRF Operations Director
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to graduate level or equivalent level of experience of working in an engagement role at a level suitable to facilitate credible, sustainable and positive relations with staff, patients, members of the public and communities
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Experience of working in the NHS, research, community or similar environment
Experience
Essential
- Experience of engaging with diverse patients, carers and communities in a professional capacity, and understanding of their dynamics, needs and challenges
- Experience in developing and implementing PPIE strategies and action plans
- Experience of developing and delivering PPIE training programmes
Desirable
- Translating technical information into lay language
- Experience in design and production of communication materials
- Experience of creating or editing audio, photographic or video content to support communication objectives
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the benefits, issues and initiatives related to PPIE and inclusive research practice
- Good knowledge of a range of communications and engagement approaches (both patients / public and professionals)
- Capability to quickly learn new IT systems/ databases/ packages
Desirable
- General knowledge of the NHS and issues affecting the service
- General awareness of corporate and information governance issues and processes
Skills
Essential
- Strong relationship building skills at both public and professional level, with the ability to interact in a manner that builds sustainable trust and confidence in the person and community engagement
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively in different settings with a broad range of community groups and colleagues.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise under pressure
- Ability to work with limited supervision
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel & Powerpoint
- Exceptional organisational and time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to create web and social media content
- Ability to create and manage social media channels
Other
Essential
- A strong and enthusiastic work ethic
- Maintaining confidentiality and a high level of discretion and sensitivity
- Taking the initiative & being proactive to find solutions to problems
- Able to work and communicate effectively with senior staff
- Ability to rapidly develop strong working relationships and gain confidence of others
- Willingness to work flexibly across sites and on occasion outside of normal office hours
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to graduate level or equivalent level of experience of working in an engagement role at a level suitable to facilitate credible, sustainable and positive relations with staff, patients, members of the public and communities
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Experience of working in the NHS, research, community or similar environment
Experience
Essential
- Experience of engaging with diverse patients, carers and communities in a professional capacity, and understanding of their dynamics, needs and challenges
- Experience in developing and implementing PPIE strategies and action plans
- Experience of developing and delivering PPIE training programmes
Desirable
- Translating technical information into lay language
- Experience in design and production of communication materials
- Experience of creating or editing audio, photographic or video content to support communication objectives
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the benefits, issues and initiatives related to PPIE and inclusive research practice
- Good knowledge of a range of communications and engagement approaches (both patients / public and professionals)
- Capability to quickly learn new IT systems/ databases/ packages
Desirable
- General knowledge of the NHS and issues affecting the service
- General awareness of corporate and information governance issues and processes
Skills
Essential
- Strong relationship building skills at both public and professional level, with the ability to interact in a manner that builds sustainable trust and confidence in the person and community engagement
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively in different settings with a broad range of community groups and colleagues.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise under pressure
- Ability to work with limited supervision
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel & Powerpoint
- Exceptional organisational and time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to create web and social media content
- Ability to create and manage social media channels
Other
Essential
- A strong and enthusiastic work ethic
- Maintaining confidentiality and a high level of discretion and sensitivity
- Taking the initiative & being proactive to find solutions to problems
- Able to work and communicate effectively with senior staff
- Ability to rapidly develop strong working relationships and gain confidence of others
- Willingness to work flexibly across sites and on occasion outside of normal office hours
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.
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.
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).
