Job summary
Please note, this vacancy is only open to applications from those employed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System. These include:
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust(formerly Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust),
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust,
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust,
- South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust,
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
Employer:Isle of Wight NHS Trust & Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Department:Communications and Engagement Single Corporate Services
Location:Multi-site (Isle of Wight & Portsmouth)
Salary:Band 8a £55,690- £62,682 per annum pro rata
Job Type:Permanent
Working Pattern:Full-time 37.5 hours per week
Closing Date:Monday 24th November 2025
Interview Date:Wednesday 10th December 2025
Main duties of the job
We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Heads of Communications to join our Single Corporate Services Communications and Engagement Team, supporting both the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
These are pivotal roles within a fast-paced, creative and collaborative team, where you will lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement programmes that support organisational priorities, enhance reputation, and connect meaningfully with our staff, patients and communities.
About us
Working as a partnership, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this.
The vision for our single corporate services is to:
- Be an employer of choice for corporate talent, attracting and retaining people who share our values for excellence in care and welcome the opportunity to benefit from the broad range of flexible career and development opportunities we can offer.
- Improve efficiency through simplified and standardised policies, processes, and systems, drawing on the best from both Trusts.
- Do things once and reduce any duplication on transactional tasks giving corporate staff the ability to focus on higher value and more diverse activities.
- Co-invest in the latest digital solutions and standardise our approach, meaning we do things once for both organisations.
- Improve learning and development opportunities and sharing best practice, upskilling both Trusts.
- Build resilience for individuals and our teams.
The single corporate service is delivered across both organisation. You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead and implement proactive communications strategies across both Trusts.
- Manage complex campaigns, media relations, and reputation management.
- Provide expert advice on internal and external communications, including crisis response.
- Collaborate with senior leaders, clinicians and stakeholders to promote services and initiatives.
- Champion inclusive communications that reflect the diversity of our population.
- Line manage communications staff and contribute to the creative direction of the team.
- Support consultation and engagement activities, ensuring meaningful involvement of staff, patients and the public.
- Deputise for the Associate Director of Communications as required.
About You
Were looking for individuals who are:
- Educated to degree level in communications, journalism, PR or a related field (postgraduate qualification desirable).
- Experienced in leading communications in a complex organisation, ideally within healthcare.
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement, media handling, and strategic messaging.
- Confident in managing sensitive issues and high-profile campaigns.
- Strong leaders and team players with excellent communication and project management skills.
- Able to work flexibly across sites and as part of an on-call rota.
Working for Our Organisation
These roles are part of a Single Corporate Service supporting both Trusts. Youll be working across two vibrant NHS organisations, contributing to meaningful change and innovation in healthcare communications. Travel between sites may be required, with arrangements discussed individually.
We value diversity, inclusion and creativity, and offer a supportive environment where your ideas and leadership will make a real difference.
Apply Now
If youre ready to lead impactful communications in roles that span two forward-thinking NHS Trusts, wed love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Carol Deans, Group Director of Communications via Anna Benford, Executive Assistant on 01983 822099 ext 4204, or Jenny Renyard, Associate Director of Communications via email -jenny.renyard1@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead and implement proactive communications strategies across both Trusts.
- Manage complex campaigns, media relations, and reputation management.
- Provide expert advice on internal and external communications, including crisis response.
- Collaborate with senior leaders, clinicians and stakeholders to promote services and initiatives.
- Champion inclusive communications that reflect the diversity of our population.
- Line manage communications staff and contribute to the creative direction of the team.
- Support consultation and engagement activities, ensuring meaningful involvement of staff, patients and the public.
- Deputise for the Associate Director of Communications as required.
About You
Were looking for individuals who are:
- Educated to degree level in communications, journalism, PR or a related field (postgraduate qualification desirable).
- Experienced in leading communications in a complex organisation, ideally within healthcare.
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement, media handling, and strategic messaging.
- Confident in managing sensitive issues and high-profile campaigns.
- Strong leaders and team players with excellent communication and project management skills.
- Able to work flexibly across sites and as part of an on-call rota.
Working for Our Organisation
These roles are part of a Single Corporate Service supporting both Trusts. Youll be working across two vibrant NHS organisations, contributing to meaningful change and innovation in healthcare communications. Travel between sites may be required, with arrangements discussed individually.
We value diversity, inclusion and creativity, and offer a supportive environment where your ideas and leadership will make a real difference.
Apply Now
If youre ready to lead impactful communications in roles that span two forward-thinking NHS Trusts, wed love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Carol Deans, Group Director of Communications via Anna Benford, Executive Assistant on 01983 822099 ext 4204, or Jenny Renyard, Associate Director of Communications via email -jenny.renyard1@nhs.net
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of communications, journalism and marketing techniques and approaches.
- Extensive experience of working within a senior communications role, preferably within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating communication and engagement plans tailored to a range of audiences including patients, communities, staff and other key stakeholders.
- Experienced in delivering communications and engagement activity to support large scale change.
- Confidence and ability to lead and deliver communication campaigns, ensuring alignment with the wider organisational strategy.
- Understanding and experience of stakeholder management and engagement and evidence of application of approach.
- Experience of handling complex/sensitive issues or scenarios i.e. legal, investigation, confidentiality, controversy.
- Demonstrable experience of utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve desired outcomes, i.e. when working with directors, senior leaders/managers, clinicians
Desirable
- Experience/understanding of healthcare communications.
- Experience of crisis management.
- High level of political awareness and sensitivity - ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS structures, processes and current issues.
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to influence strategic decision making for the benefit of the Trusts and their stakeholders.
- Proactive and highly motivated with a flexible approach and receptive to change.
- Proven track record of leading, project managing and delivering communications campaigns and events.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing and conflicting interests in challenging situations with a range of factors to consider.
- Strong team player demonstrable evidence of supporting, motivating and guiding colleagues at all levels.
- Excellent people management and leadership skills, motivating people to live up to our values and succeed.
- Excellent time and project management skills
- Excellent communication skills, including editing, copywriting and interview techniques.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Confidence to work independently and advise senior colleagues, utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes.
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and a good working knowledge of online content management systems.
- Sound news judgement and sound working knowledge of journalism and the media.
- Understanding of multimedia campaigns, digital communications and social media
- Multi-disciplinary working encompassing PR, communications, online and offline media, events, etc
- Experience of making formal presentation on complex or contentious topics, using appropriate approaches
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level public relations, journalism, digital communications or another relevant field (or equivalent experience).
- Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject area or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of continued professional development and national best practice within the communications sector.
Desirable
- Specialist communication post graduate qualification in the field of healthcare (or working towards)
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of communications, journalism and marketing techniques and approaches.
- Extensive experience of working within a senior communications role, preferably within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating communication and engagement plans tailored to a range of audiences including patients, communities, staff and other key stakeholders.
- Experienced in delivering communications and engagement activity to support large scale change.
- Confidence and ability to lead and deliver communication campaigns, ensuring alignment with the wider organisational strategy.
- Understanding and experience of stakeholder management and engagement and evidence of application of approach.
- Experience of handling complex/sensitive issues or scenarios i.e. legal, investigation, confidentiality, controversy.
- Demonstrable experience of utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve desired outcomes, i.e. when working with directors, senior leaders/managers, clinicians
Desirable
- Experience/understanding of healthcare communications.
- Experience of crisis management.
- High level of political awareness and sensitivity - ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS structures, processes and current issues.
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to influence strategic decision making for the benefit of the Trusts and their stakeholders.
- Proactive and highly motivated with a flexible approach and receptive to change.
- Proven track record of leading, project managing and delivering communications campaigns and events.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing and conflicting interests in challenging situations with a range of factors to consider.
- Strong team player demonstrable evidence of supporting, motivating and guiding colleagues at all levels.
- Excellent people management and leadership skills, motivating people to live up to our values and succeed.
- Excellent time and project management skills
- Excellent communication skills, including editing, copywriting and interview techniques.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Confidence to work independently and advise senior colleagues, utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes.
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and a good working knowledge of online content management systems.
- Sound news judgement and sound working knowledge of journalism and the media.
- Understanding of multimedia campaigns, digital communications and social media
- Multi-disciplinary working encompassing PR, communications, online and offline media, events, etc
- Experience of making formal presentation on complex or contentious topics, using appropriate approaches
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level public relations, journalism, digital communications or another relevant field (or equivalent experience).
- Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject area or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of continued professional development and national best practice within the communications sector.
Desirable
- Specialist communication post graduate qualification in the field of healthcare (or working towards)
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.
