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Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Public Affairs

The closing date is 20 October 2025

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Job summary

The post holder will lead the development and implementation of the Trust's communications plan and activities for external stakeholder engagement, managing relationships with local politicians and MPs.

Main duties of the job

  • To lead the development and implementation of the Trust's communications plan and activities for managing the relationship with local politicians and MPs. This will frequently include materials of a highly complex and sensitive content and will require a high level of analytical skills and judgement.
  • To devise plans for and lead on external stakeholder engagement on behalf of the Trust's Chair, Chief Executive and Board of Directors/Governors.
  • To be responsible for the production and distribution of the Trust's messaging to MPs and other key stakeholders, both written and verbal. This will require excellent written skills in order to develop effective articles and other collateral, exercising high levels of judgement in assessing the appropriate tone and content of material.
  • Working closely with the Chief Executive's office in the handling of MP contact and questions.
  • To be the lead communications contact for the for local MPs, politicians and stakeholders, ensuring that requests for information are dealt with accurately and promptly, exercising high levels of judgement in assessing the appropriate tone and content of material.
  • To lead on the production of stakeholder briefings in conjunction with Communications Director, Chief Executive's Office and the Trust's wider Executive and leadership team, including out of hours support, which will involve dealing with highly sensitive and contentious matters.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

17 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9457

Job locations

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell, Wickford

SS11 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To draft text for the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Communications Director as required for presentations/ publications including MP and ministerial briefings.
  • Working with the Communications Director to lead on the production of communications for Ministers, MPs and other stakeholders including event organisation, arranging presentations and media liaison. This requires highly complex negotiation and judgement regarding political sensitivities and /or conflicts.
  • To provide advice to the Board of Directors in management of stakeholder communications in potentially challenging circumstances.
  • To be responsible for ensuring that all material posted on the Trusts website is suitably pitched to the target audience and with regard to the complexities and sensitivities of the field in which we operate.
  • To continue to develop positive communication channels for Governors and constituent members.
  • To offer advice to the Board of Directors in management of complex, contentious or potentially antagonistic stakeholder relationships and to coordinate the management of such circumstances.
  • Responsible for providing leadership to all team members, providing assistance for delivery of work as necessary
  • Responsible for agreeing communication related payments for stakeholder engagement
  • The Communication team is corporately responsible for highly complex, timely, clear efficient strategic and operational communications to internal and external audiences, to be conducted using a range of recognised channels and communications methods suited to the target audience.
  • To maintain an awareness of current issues within the Trust ensuring that key personnel receive appropriate and timely communication.
  • To share information with staff within the Trust and other organisations, observing data protection guidelines
  • To collate and analyse information as required and regularly write and present reports to relevant committees of the Trust.

Additional duties:

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

o Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

o To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

o To provide management supervision where appropriate

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To draft text for the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Communications Director as required for presentations/ publications including MP and ministerial briefings.
  • Working with the Communications Director to lead on the production of communications for Ministers, MPs and other stakeholders including event organisation, arranging presentations and media liaison. This requires highly complex negotiation and judgement regarding political sensitivities and /or conflicts.
  • To provide advice to the Board of Directors in management of stakeholder communications in potentially challenging circumstances.
  • To be responsible for ensuring that all material posted on the Trusts website is suitably pitched to the target audience and with regard to the complexities and sensitivities of the field in which we operate.
  • To continue to develop positive communication channels for Governors and constituent members.
  • To offer advice to the Board of Directors in management of complex, contentious or potentially antagonistic stakeholder relationships and to coordinate the management of such circumstances.
  • Responsible for providing leadership to all team members, providing assistance for delivery of work as necessary
  • Responsible for agreeing communication related payments for stakeholder engagement
  • The Communication team is corporately responsible for highly complex, timely, clear efficient strategic and operational communications to internal and external audiences, to be conducted using a range of recognised channels and communications methods suited to the target audience.
  • To maintain an awareness of current issues within the Trust ensuring that key personnel receive appropriate and timely communication.
  • To share information with staff within the Trust and other organisations, observing data protection guidelines
  • To collate and analyse information as required and regularly write and present reports to relevant committees of the Trust.

Additional duties:

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

o Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

o To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

o To provide management supervision where appropriate

Person Specification

Corporate

Desirable

  • Current driving licence

Job planning

Essential

  • Devising and executing successful engagement strategies and plans

Managerial experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of national policies and initiatives affecting the NHS which may require interpretation and communicating to the workforce

Job planning

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of public affairs and effective methods
Person Specification

Corporate

Desirable

  • Current driving licence

Job planning

Essential

  • Devising and executing successful engagement strategies and plans

Managerial experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of national policies and initiatives affecting the NHS which may require interpretation and communicating to the workforce

Job planning

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of public affairs and effective methods

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell, Wickford

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell, Wickford

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director of Communications

Martine Munby

martine.munby@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

17 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9457

Job locations

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell, Wickford

SS11 7XX


Supporting documents

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