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Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Director of Communications and Engagement

The closing date is 19 January 2026

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Job summary

Shape the future of communications and engagement at one of the UK's leading NHS trusts.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, with five hospitals in central and west London and a growing portfolio of community and digital services. We care for 1.5 million patients a year and have a global reputation for research, innovation and education.

Our longstanding vision - better health, for life - puts us in a great position to help drive the government's three shifts in healthcare, from hospital to community, treatment to prevention and analogue to digital. We are working with our communities and partners - including the other acute trusts in our group - to co-design integrated care pathways and tackle health inequalities.

We are seeking an exceptional individual who embodies our values - to be kind, aspirational, expert and collaborative - to shape our communications and engagement.

Main duties of the job

In this influential, senior role, you will:

  • Lead our communications and engagement directorate, covering media and research, digital, internal, strategic and GP communications. You will also work closely with our new insight and experience directorate.
  • Develop and deliver a communications and engagement strategy that builds understanding, trust and support for our goals.
  • Play a key role in major programmes, including the redevelopment of three of our hospitals and the transformation of our models of care, as well as ensuring we respond to issues and incidents with sensitivity and transparency.
  • Drive innovation in engagement, strengthening two-way relationships with staff, stakeholders and communities.

We are looking for a highly experienced strategic communications leader with a proven track record in complex organisations, exceptional influencing skills and an innovative and inclusive approach.

Why join us?

You'll be part of a diverse, ambitious team in an organisation that genuinely lives its values. We offer outstanding development opportunities, flexible working, and the chance to make a real impact on health and care, locally and nationally.

Apply now and help us shape the future of healthcare communications by visiting www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe127866

Please do not apply via Trac or NHS Jobs.

About us

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Details

Date posted

12 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£117,645 to £134,103 a year pa inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

290-CR-999

Job locations

Trust Wide

London

W2 1NY


Job description

Job responsibilities

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 overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Master's level or equivalent experience
  • Post-graduate diploma or specialist qualification in relevant area
  • Evidence of CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

Experience

Essential

  • Leading and developing a large communications and engagement function
  • Working with executive management teams to set and deliver strategic, operational, and financial goals
  • Developing complex, multi-audience communications strategies (media relations, social media, internal comms)
  • Delivering campaigns to time and budget with clear evaluation
  • Managing communications for complex issues/incidents
  • Handling political and stakeholder relationships in fast-moving environments
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Master's level or equivalent experience
  • Post-graduate diploma or specialist qualification in relevant area
  • Evidence of CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

Experience

Essential

  • Leading and developing a large communications and engagement function
  • Working with executive management teams to set and deliver strategic, operational, and financial goals
  • Developing complex, multi-audience communications strategies (media relations, social media, internal comms)
  • Delivering campaigns to time and budget with clear evaluation
  • Managing communications for complex issues/incidents
  • Handling political and stakeholder relationships in fast-moving environments

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

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Trust Wide

London

W2 1NY


Employer's website

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Trust Wide

London

W2 1NY


Employer's website

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Researcher

Will McAlpine

will.mcalpine@gatenbysanderson.com

07554050236

Details

Date posted

12 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£117,645 to £134,103 a year pa inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

290-CR-999

Job locations

Trust Wide

London

W2 1NY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)