Job summary
This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer to the pay point at the top of Band 8B
At NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT), we are an organisation that works with both donors and patients to save and improve lives every day. We are passionate about the work we do and passionate about our people that make it happen.
We are looking for a Head of Internal Communications to join us in our Communications and Engagement Directorate who will lead the way in our internal engagement. You will empower our Internal Communications team to creatively engage with our people delivering impactful internal communications that inform colleagues with purpose and priorities of the organisation through campaigns and engagement built on colleague insight and internal communications best practice..
Main duties of the job
- To engage staff with the role, purpose and priorities of NHSBT, motivating them to consistently improve performance and provide caring, expert quality support. Showing that NHSBT is a great place to work using campaigns and engagement built on staff insight.
- To work with the Assistant Director of Communications to develop and oversee the implementation of NHSBTs communications strategy
- Devise and deliver an overarching long-term internal communications strategy to support delivery of the organisations aims and objectives.
- To work as NHSBTs lead internal comms specialist, acting as a trusted professional advisor to the Executive and Board.
- Provide professional leadership for all aspects of internal communications.
About us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements because NHSBT works nationally, were able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options we promote flexible working where the role allows. Were happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - weve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. Its open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endevour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website.
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking Apply if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 12 April 2026.
The assessment process for this role will likely include a presentation task and an Interview.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements because NHSBT works nationally, were able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options we promote flexible working where the role allows. Were happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - weve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. Its open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endevour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website.
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking Apply if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 12 April 2026.
The assessment process for this role will likely include a presentation task and an Interview.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters or equivalent professional experience.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD).
Experience
Essential
- Experience and Knowledge
- Specialist change management knowledge and experience gained in an internal communications management role in a large complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering strategic internal communications .
- Experience of varied organisational infrastructure (tools, channels and processes) to deliver high-quality and creative internal communication to a diverse workforce that is spread across the UK working in a variety of roles.
- Significant experience of giving strategic advice to senior leaders based on judgement and analysis.
- Knowledge and experience of developing techniques and systems for evaluating the effectiveness of internal communications.
- Demonstrable experience in drawing on organisational insight to advise leaders on targeted employee communication strategies and actions to improve employee engagement, as well as the overall internal communications approach.
- Demonstrable track record of leading, managing, motivating and developing teams.
- Understanding of and respect for donor/patient confidentiality.
- Understanding of health policy, the NHS and health stakeholders.
- Experience of Emergency Planning.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters or equivalent professional experience.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD).
Experience
Essential
- Experience and Knowledge
- Specialist change management knowledge and experience gained in an internal communications management role in a large complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering strategic internal communications .
- Experience of varied organisational infrastructure (tools, channels and processes) to deliver high-quality and creative internal communication to a diverse workforce that is spread across the UK working in a variety of roles.
- Significant experience of giving strategic advice to senior leaders based on judgement and analysis.
- Knowledge and experience of developing techniques and systems for evaluating the effectiveness of internal communications.
- Demonstrable experience in drawing on organisational insight to advise leaders on targeted employee communication strategies and actions to improve employee engagement, as well as the overall internal communications approach.
- Demonstrable track record of leading, managing, motivating and developing teams.
- Understanding of and respect for donor/patient confidentiality.
- Understanding of health policy, the NHS and health stakeholders.
- Experience of Emergency Planning.
