East London NHS Foundation Trust

Director of Communications and Engagement

The closing date is 07 September 2025

Job summary

Director of Communications and Engagement

This director-level post offers the opportunity to lead on communications and engagement for East London NHS Foundation Trust - an organisation that provides mental health and community health to a population of 1.8million people in Bedfordshire, Luton and East London.

The post holder will provide strategic communications leadership for East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and lead the communications and engagement team at the Trust.Please note we are open to people who might be willing to work less than full-time.There will be an assessment centre on 16 Sept all day, and interviews on 23 Sept.

Main duties of the job

Accountable for high quality, insight-led communications and engagement that is measurable, impactful and helps the organisation to succeed. The post holder will own the direction and strategy for ELFT communications and engagement, advising the Chief Executive, Chair, Board and the Trust's senior leadership. The post holder will play a critical role in managing the reputation of the Trust with internal and external stakeholders.

1.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£117,645 to £134,103 a year per annum Inc HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

363-CP7329661

Job locations

Robert Dolan House

9 Alie Street

London

E1 8DE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Hold accountability and responsibility for the strategic and operational development of the communications and engagement team and the effective management of the team budget. Services to be delivered include:

a. Internal communications and engagement

b. Media management

c. Publications and design

d. Digital communications and engagement (including website and social media)

e. Stakeholder communications and engagement

f. Brand and reputation management

Job description

Job responsibilities

Hold accountability and responsibility for the strategic and operational development of the communications and engagement team and the effective management of the team budget. Services to be delivered include:

a. Internal communications and engagement

b. Media management

c. Publications and design

d. Digital communications and engagement (including website and social media)

e. Stakeholder communications and engagement

f. Brand and reputation management

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Masters Degree or equivalent or commensurate experience at a senior level
  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Substantial experience of working in a fast-paced environment, delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.
  • Detailed understanding of varied communication channels, their impact, limitations, risks and opportunities, and detailed experience in their use
  • Experience of playing an active and leading corporate role in an organisation, either as a member of a senior management and/or executive team
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results
  • Experience of planning and managing budgets within agreed limits
  • Expert 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
  • An excellent and proven knowledge of current public affairs, policy and operational issues within the NHS
  • An excellent knowledge of best practice in communications, drawn from personal experience and awareness
  • Expert experience of working simultaneously on multiple communications and engagement activities, with excellent project management, planning and coordination across a range of communications and engagement disciplines and channels
  • Expert experience and knowledge of insight and audience research to develop communications and engagement activities and evaluate outcomes

Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in a related area
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued professional development

Experience

Essential

  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Masters Degree or equivalent or commensurate experience at a senior level
  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Substantial experience of working in a fast-paced environment, delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.
  • Detailed understanding of varied communication channels, their impact, limitations, risks and opportunities, and detailed experience in their use
  • Experience of playing an active and leading corporate role in an organisation, either as a member of a senior management and/or executive team
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results
  • Experience of planning and managing budgets within agreed limits
  • Expert 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
  • An excellent and proven knowledge of current public affairs, policy and operational issues within the NHS
  • An excellent knowledge of best practice in communications, drawn from personal experience and awareness
  • Expert experience of working simultaneously on multiple communications and engagement activities, with excellent project management, planning and coordination across a range of communications and engagement disciplines and channels
  • Expert experience and knowledge of insight and audience research to develop communications and engagement activities and evaluate outcomes

Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in a related area
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued professional development

Experience

Essential

  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)

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

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Robert Dolan House

9 Alie Street

London

E1 8DE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Robert Dolan House

9 Alie Street

London

E1 8DE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Quality Officer

Dr Amar Shah

amarshah@nhs.net

07961043513

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£117,645 to £134,103 a year per annum Inc HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

363-CP7329661

Job locations

Robert Dolan House

9 Alie Street

London

E1 8DE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

East London NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)