Job summary
We
are looking for an International Communications Lead to join the NIHR Global
Health team.
NIHR
is the health and social care research arm of the nation. Funded by the
public, for the public, we target cutting edge research where it can make the
biggest difference to peoples health and happiness. On any day, our research
could discover a new vaccine that saves thousands of lives, and brings
billions into our economy. It could make a revolutionary new treatment
available and affordable for everyone. Or help people get their independence
back. Together, we drive life-changing research for the health and wealth of
the nation.
We'd
love you to be part of the next chapter of our story. We are searching for a
first-class communications expert to lead the development of an NIHR
International Communications Plan.
The
NIHR Academy Executive (where this role sits) have adopted a hybrid working
model whereby staff are able to split their working time between home and an
NIHR office.
We
encourage individuals who are considering applying to contact the office and
have a conversation with the hiring manager.
Expected Shortlisting
Date
11/08/2025
Planned Interview
Date
20/08/2025
Main duties of the job
Working
closely with DHSC and across the NIHR, you'll lead on the creating clear and
engaging communications to showcase our international remit and demonstrate
its impact - from press releases, to content for web, social media,
newsletters and other channels, to reach a diverse range of audiences. You'll
lead and coordinate a small international communications delivery team,
responsible for delivering an impactful international communications work
plan.
About us
The
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to
improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays
a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers
and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research
facilities and a skilled research workforce.
This
role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the
work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of
academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and
the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategy,
planning and coordination:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the development and implementation of long-term international communication
strategies across the organisation, in collaboration with DHSC.
- Lead
and coordinate a cross-NIHR working group responsible for delivering an
impactful international communications workplan.
- Lead
on horizon scanning and identifying NIHR international communications
opportunities, such as events and conferences
- Develop
policies and procedures for NIHR International communications activities, and
ensure relevant activities are embedded within wider policies and procedures
across the organisation
- Monitor
and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities across NIHRs
international portfolio, interpreting and summarising complex communications
data
- Serve
on the NIHR Communications Programme Board (CPB) and work with members across
organisations to integrate international health research activity into
relevant work streams.
Global
Health Communications:
The
post holder will:
- Lead,
oversee and manage the promotion of global health funding and career
opportunities and communicate the value and impact of the global health
programme
- Ensure
that global health content for web, social media, newsletters and other
channels is clear and engaging for both UK and LMIC audiences
- Develop
strategies to expand the reach of NIHR communications, with a focus on LMIC
institutions and researchers,
- Develop
and provide advice on communications strategies to reach researchers globally
International
Partnerships Communications:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the effective communication and dissemination of international research
partnerships opportunities across various channels, working in close
partnership with international partners communication teams.
- Ensure
the International partnership portfolio is effectively represented on the
NIHR website
- Act
as a single point of contact for DHSC international policy leads for
international communications issues, liaising with NIHR Communications teams.
- Lead
on drafting news articles for the NIHR website on international partnership
opportunities, working closely with the DHSC policy team, domestic
communication and programme managers.
Stakeholder
Engagement:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the development and refinement of an international stakeholder engagement
strategy, in collaboration and consultation with DHSC
- Identify
and prioritise International research stakeholders
- Identify
strategic stakeholder engagement opportunities to increase the reach and
impact of NIHR funding across the organisation
Working
relationships and wider engagement:
The
post holder will:
- Develop
team objectives and ways of working across the NIHR cross-centre
international communications group
- Develop
and oversee team KPIs and objectives
- Lead
and manage a team of cross-NIHR communications specialists, through a matrix
management approach
- Ensure
the implementation of communications activities according to standard
operating procedures
- Lead
the adoption of processes by providing training and coaching to the
international communications group
- Lead
the development of reports and papers for strategic and policy meetings and
publications, ensuring highly complex information is accessible
- Oversee
international communications budgets, in collaboration with the NIHR Director
of Communications
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategy,
planning and coordination:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the development and implementation of long-term international communication
strategies across the organisation, in collaboration with DHSC.
- Lead
and coordinate a cross-NIHR working group responsible for delivering an
impactful international communications workplan.
- Lead
on horizon scanning and identifying NIHR international communications
opportunities, such as events and conferences
- Develop
policies and procedures for NIHR International communications activities, and
ensure relevant activities are embedded within wider policies and procedures
across the organisation
- Monitor
and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities across NIHRs
international portfolio, interpreting and summarising complex communications
data
- Serve
on the NIHR Communications Programme Board (CPB) and work with members across
organisations to integrate international health research activity into
relevant work streams.
Global
Health Communications:
The
post holder will:
- Lead,
oversee and manage the promotion of global health funding and career
opportunities and communicate the value and impact of the global health
programme
- Ensure
that global health content for web, social media, newsletters and other
channels is clear and engaging for both UK and LMIC audiences
- Develop
strategies to expand the reach of NIHR communications, with a focus on LMIC
institutions and researchers,
- Develop
and provide advice on communications strategies to reach researchers globally
International
Partnerships Communications:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the effective communication and dissemination of international research
partnerships opportunities across various channels, working in close
partnership with international partners communication teams.
- Ensure
the International partnership portfolio is effectively represented on the
NIHR website
- Act
as a single point of contact for DHSC international policy leads for
international communications issues, liaising with NIHR Communications teams.
- Lead
on drafting news articles for the NIHR website on international partnership
opportunities, working closely with the DHSC policy team, domestic
communication and programme managers.
Stakeholder
Engagement:
The
post holder will:
- Lead
the development and refinement of an international stakeholder engagement
strategy, in collaboration and consultation with DHSC
- Identify
and prioritise International research stakeholders
- Identify
strategic stakeholder engagement opportunities to increase the reach and
impact of NIHR funding across the organisation
Working
relationships and wider engagement:
The
post holder will:
- Develop
team objectives and ways of working across the NIHR cross-centre
international communications group
- Develop
and oversee team KPIs and objectives
- Lead
and manage a team of cross-NIHR communications specialists, through a matrix
management approach
- Ensure
the implementation of communications activities according to standard
operating procedures
- Lead
the adoption of processes by providing training and coaching to the
international communications group
- Lead
the development of reports and papers for strategic and policy meetings and
publications, ensuring highly complex information is accessible
- Oversee
international communications budgets, in collaboration with the NIHR Director
of Communications
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience engaging audiences through digital platforms including social and web
- Excellent people skills and the ability to exercise influence without authority
- Excellent project management skills
- Excellent relationship skills, include the ability to develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders
- Leading by example
- Effective and inclusive leadership
- Thinking strategically
- Giving purpose and direction which includes involving people in deciding what needs to be done
- Getting the best from others
- Identifying opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results
Desirable
- Familiarity with customer relationship management tools, online engagement platforms and website content management systems
URL Link
Essential
Desirable
- https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm
Other Criteria
Essential
- Competence in Google and Microsoft Office applications or equivalent software
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and to travel internationally
Qualifications
Essential
- First degree (undergraduate)
- Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Specialist senior communications knowledge and experience, including experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies
- Experience of leading, developing and embedding stakeholder management processes
- Experience leading and managing individuals and teams
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of analysing and interpreting communications data, with the ability to make highly complex information engaging and accessible
- Experience of leading, developing and implementing communications policies and procedures across organisations
Desirable
- Experience in international development or global health
- Experience of building relationships with stakeholders in low and middle income countries (LMICs)
- Experience of working within health research funding environments
- An understanding of health research
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience engaging audiences through digital platforms including social and web
- Excellent people skills and the ability to exercise influence without authority
- Excellent project management skills
- Excellent relationship skills, include the ability to develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders
- Leading by example
- Effective and inclusive leadership
- Thinking strategically
- Giving purpose and direction which includes involving people in deciding what needs to be done
- Getting the best from others
- Identifying opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results
Desirable
- Familiarity with customer relationship management tools, online engagement platforms and website content management systems
URL Link
Essential
Desirable
- https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm
Other Criteria
Essential
- Competence in Google and Microsoft Office applications or equivalent software
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and to travel internationally
Qualifications
Essential
- First degree (undergraduate)
- Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Specialist senior communications knowledge and experience, including experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies
- Experience of leading, developing and embedding stakeholder management processes
- Experience leading and managing individuals and teams
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of analysing and interpreting communications data, with the ability to make highly complex information engaging and accessible
- Experience of leading, developing and implementing communications policies and procedures across organisations
Desirable
- Experience in international development or global health
- Experience of building relationships with stakeholders in low and middle income countries (LMICs)
- Experience of working within health research funding environments
- An understanding of health research
