Job summary
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is looking for a new Head of Communications. The Head of Communications is responsible for supporting the Assistant Director of Communications in the delivery of DHCW's communications strategy and leading a forward-thinking and ambitious programme of operational communications for DHCW.
The Head of Communications will lead and manage the operational aspects of the communications team to provide a wide range of communications services and resources required to under-pin the successful operation of DHCW.
The post holder will support the Assistant Director of Communications to develop, implement and evaluate a strong portfolio of communications services and activities in line with DHCW's communications strategy and organisational aims and objectives.
They will support DHCW to promote the corporate vision, values and objectives to internal and external audiences. The post holder will be required to plan, implement and evaluate a range of internal and external communications undertaken by DHCW, and make improvements to approaches where needed.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Communications will play a key role in building the organisation's impact and reputation and ensuring its future success through the effective operations of its communications functions and raising the organisation's profile and reputation amongst the internal workforce, service users, stakeholders, media and the general public.
They will provide strategic communications advice and reputational management support for internal and external communications to senior leaders and their divisions.
The post holder will support the Assistant Director of Communications to ensure DHCW's communications is fully effective and engaged in collaborative projects with its NHS Wales partners and stakeholders. They will provide line management, leadership and support to the wider communications team.
The post holder will be comfortable working at pace in a complex, fast-moving and demanding environment. They will be familiar with receiving, analysing and responding to contentious or highly sensitive information and communicating with large groups of people.
This role requires a strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to be hands-on and highly focused on achieving results. With proven leadership and successful management experience, the post holder will have the ability to manage and plan complex projects and develop strong and meaningful relationships with internal staff at all levels and external stakeholders.
About us
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is part of the NHS Wales family and has an important role in changing the way health and care services are delivered through technology and data. The organisation supports frontline staff with modern systems and access to important information about their patients, while empowering the people of Wales to manage their own health through digital NHS Wales services.
Working for DHCW offers lots of employee benefits, including flexible working, a competitive salary, 28 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays and opportunities for career development. We are committed to recognising and celebrating our staff as the most valuable part of our organisation.
Join our game changing, life-saving team and start making a real difference to health and care services in Wales.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Work with the Assistant Director of Communications to be responsible for the implementation of the DHCW communications strategy.
- Provide expert advice to the DHCW to senior leaders on communications issues, some of which will be contentious.
- Provide communications leadership, advice and support to DHCW and its projects.
- Manage a complex portfolio of communications activity across DHCW to ensure the needs of all stakeholders are being met.
- Review and refine communications systems, channels and messages that enable DHCW to have effective communication with its internal workforce, external partners, stakeholders, media and the wider public.
- Lead the communications team in the implementation of strategic developments to the DHCWs digital communications channels.
- Support and deputise for the Assistant Director of Communications in the management of communications during adverse issues/crises.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with vital groups across the NHS, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.
- Lead the day-to-day activities of the communications team to ensure the delivery of an effective and professional communications function.
- Challenge conventional approaches to drive forward ongoing change in communication approaches.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Work with the Assistant Director of Communications to be responsible for the implementation of the DHCW communications strategy.
- Provide expert advice to the DHCW to senior leaders on communications issues, some of which will be contentious.
- Provide communications leadership, advice and support to DHCW and its projects.
- Manage a complex portfolio of communications activity across DHCW to ensure the needs of all stakeholders are being met.
- Review and refine communications systems, channels and messages that enable DHCW to have effective communication with its internal workforce, external partners, stakeholders, media and the wider public.
- Lead the communications team in the implementation of strategic developments to the DHCWs digital communications channels.
- Support and deputise for the Assistant Director of Communications in the management of communications during adverse issues/crises.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with vital groups across the NHS, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.
- Lead the day-to-day activities of the communications team to ensure the delivery of an effective and professional communications function.
- Challenge conventional approaches to drive forward ongoing change in communication approaches.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Master's Degree Level in Communication, PR, Marketing or other relevant field, or demonstrable equivalent level of experience, skills, training and knowledge.
- Evidence of further higher-level development - education and/or training and CPD
- Proven knowledge and/or experience in developing the vision of an organisation and looking to the future to determine the direction for the organisation.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of communications, public relations, and social marketing communications techniques, approaches and procedures.
- Understanding of healthcare issues and current policy agenda for NHS Wales.
- Knowledge of the structure and operation of national and local media (traditional & new).
- Awareness and sensitivity to external political environment.
Desirable
- Relevant Public Relations or Marketing qualification (CIPR, CIM) or membership of a relevant professional body.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience at management level in a similar role
- Experience of managing a professional media-handling service
- Experience of dealing with highly complex and sensitive information and communicating to a wide range of stakeholders across organisational boundaries
- Sound judgement and decision making involving highly complex facts or situations
- Excellent organisational skills. Able to manage complex workloads, multi task in complex, sensitive and highly-demanding environments
- Demonstrably managed and motivated successful teams
- Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise workload and meet deadlines
- Experience of handling communications during times of organisational/service change, difficulty or crisis
- Experience of budget management and financial reporting
- Familiarity with and ability to exploit new information technology including digital media channels.
Desirable
- Previous NHS / public sector communications experience
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate a high degree of motivation
- Good at problem solving and able to pursue organisational goals with persistence and tenacity
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to develop and deliver communications policies and plans for individual services and the whole organisation
- Able to manage people by providing direction, reviewing performance, motivating others, and promoting equality and diversity
- Able to communicate the organisation's vision and motivates others to work towards achieving it
- Able to continuously look to develop the communications strategy and plan by engaging with staff at all levels and stakeholders
- Able to implement the communications strategy by organising, managing and assuming the risks of the organisation
- Excellent planning, prioritising and project management skills with experience in developing systems and processes for organisations
- Able to act credibly with Executive Board members and their divisions, senior managers and clinical staff at all levels, and offer advice over processes and desired outcomes
- Able to adapt and respond to a rapidly changing agenda and to work under pressure while managing competing priorities
- Able to use own initiative, organise own work, set targets, prioritise, make decisions, delegate appropriately and ensure deadlines are met
- Able to present highly complex and sometimes contentious and sensitive information to a variety of audiences including Executive Directors, journalists, staff and partners, using a variety of media
- Able to analyse highly complex facts and situations, e.g. in relation to press interest, and able to provide expert advice.
- Able to interpret and understand complex policy, decisions and identify appropriate communication solutions
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Master's Degree Level in Communication, PR, Marketing or other relevant field, or demonstrable equivalent level of experience, skills, training and knowledge.
- Evidence of further higher-level development - education and/or training and CPD
- Proven knowledge and/or experience in developing the vision of an organisation and looking to the future to determine the direction for the organisation.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of communications, public relations, and social marketing communications techniques, approaches and procedures.
- Understanding of healthcare issues and current policy agenda for NHS Wales.
- Knowledge of the structure and operation of national and local media (traditional & new).
- Awareness and sensitivity to external political environment.
Desirable
- Relevant Public Relations or Marketing qualification (CIPR, CIM) or membership of a relevant professional body.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience at management level in a similar role
- Experience of managing a professional media-handling service
- Experience of dealing with highly complex and sensitive information and communicating to a wide range of stakeholders across organisational boundaries
- Sound judgement and decision making involving highly complex facts or situations
- Excellent organisational skills. Able to manage complex workloads, multi task in complex, sensitive and highly-demanding environments
- Demonstrably managed and motivated successful teams
- Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise workload and meet deadlines
- Experience of handling communications during times of organisational/service change, difficulty or crisis
- Experience of budget management and financial reporting
- Familiarity with and ability to exploit new information technology including digital media channels.
Desirable
- Previous NHS / public sector communications experience
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate a high degree of motivation
- Good at problem solving and able to pursue organisational goals with persistence and tenacity
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to develop and deliver communications policies and plans for individual services and the whole organisation
- Able to manage people by providing direction, reviewing performance, motivating others, and promoting equality and diversity
- Able to communicate the organisation's vision and motivates others to work towards achieving it
- Able to continuously look to develop the communications strategy and plan by engaging with staff at all levels and stakeholders
- Able to implement the communications strategy by organising, managing and assuming the risks of the organisation
- Excellent planning, prioritising and project management skills with experience in developing systems and processes for organisations
- Able to act credibly with Executive Board members and their divisions, senior managers and clinical staff at all levels, and offer advice over processes and desired outcomes
- Able to adapt and respond to a rapidly changing agenda and to work under pressure while managing competing priorities
- Able to use own initiative, organise own work, set targets, prioritise, make decisions, delegate appropriately and ensure deadlines are met
- Able to present highly complex and sometimes contentious and sensitive information to a variety of audiences including Executive Directors, journalists, staff and partners, using a variety of media
- Able to analyse highly complex facts and situations, e.g. in relation to press interest, and able to provide expert advice.
- Able to interpret and understand complex policy, decisions and identify appropriate communication solutions
Desirable
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.
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.
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).
