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.
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 Strategy Planning & Evaluation Lead to join our Communications and Engagement Directorate to work with the Assistant Director of Communications to develop and oversee the implementation of NHSBTs communications strategy. You will lead the Strategy, Planning and Evaluation team to ensure communications and milestones across NHSBT are coordinated and evaluated and ensure senior leaders are kept up to date with plans and results. A particular focus of the role will be developing communications strategies to promote and engage external audiences in NHSBTs world leading research and development and scientific programmes.
Main duties of the job
- To work as NHSBTs lead planning and evaluation comms specialist, acting as a trusted professional advisor and linking in with Government, other Arms Length Bodies and stakeholders and partners as necessary.
- Identifying long term communication requirements, threats and opportunities by long-term horizon scanning.
- Understand the functions across the communications mix to provide strategic communications advice to the Executive Team and senior colleagues.
- To lead on cross cutting communications issues - particularly focused on science, R&D and health inequalities - acting as a pivotal role in work activity planning and objective delivery for the communications function to support organisational objectives.
- To take the lead on owning and developing cross NHSBT position papers on key issues and working with other directorates on the comms handling for NHSBT strategies.
- Provide professional leadership for all aspects of planning and evaluation.
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, we’re 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. We’re 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 - we’ve 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. It’s 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.
Interviews are anticipated to be held week commencing 20 April 2026– subject to confirmation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re 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. We’re 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 - we’ve 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. It’s 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.
Interviews are anticipated to be held week commencing 20 April 2026– subject to confirmation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable relevant professional experience in a communications related area
- Relevant postgraduate degree/professional qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Availability to travel within the UK, including overnight stays, where necessary.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in a communications management role
- Experience of strategic communications and/or a variety of comms roles to show understanding of different channels to meet the needs of different audiences.
- Experience of working in communications in the science / R&D / innovation sector
- Experience of evaluating communications campaigns using a wide range of channels and media.
- Understanding of and respect for donor/patient confidentiality.
- Demonstrable track record of managing, motivating and developing teams.
- Experience of budget planning and management.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable relevant professional experience in a communications related area
- Relevant postgraduate degree/professional qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Availability to travel within the UK, including overnight stays, where necessary.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in a communications management role
- Experience of strategic communications and/or a variety of comms roles to show understanding of different channels to meet the needs of different audiences.
- Experience of working in communications in the science / R&D / innovation sector
- Experience of evaluating communications campaigns using a wide range of channels and media.
- Understanding of and respect for donor/patient confidentiality.
- Demonstrable track record of managing, motivating and developing teams.
- Experience of budget planning and management.
