Job summary
Salary: From £100k
The NHS touches all of our lives, delivering care and treatment to more than a million and a half people across England every working day.
NHS England is the operationally independent arms length body that leads the health service and directly commissions highly specialised services.
We are looking for a highly motivated strategic communicator to head our Public Accountability, Engagement and Communications function.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing public and Parliamentary accountability through our Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information teams; delivering award-winning campaigns that include NHS recruitment and tackling the fear of cancer; ensuring effective internal and corporate communications and stakeholder engagement; and leading one of the busiest media teams in the country.
They will have an excellent understanding of Westminster and Whitehall and print, broadcast and social media, enabling them to deliver senior counsel to the chief executive, chair and senior leadership team and manage the reputation of the organisation and the wider NHS.
The ability to build, motivate and inspire high performing teams, and provide professional leadership of communications and engagement activity across the wider NHS, is also a key requirement for one of the most demanding, exciting and rewarding communications roles in the country.
Main duties of the job
They will be responsible for sophisticated and rapid handling of a wide range of communications issues, providing strategic counsel to NHSE's senior leadership and frequent liaison with senior members of the media and communications leads across Whitehall including the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and No 10.
The successful candidate will have an extensive network of relevant senior contacts and be able to successfully engage and work with senior stakeholders across Government, Royal Colleges, Trade Unions and patient organisations.
The role will be accountable to the Chief Strategy Officer and will be a member of the Strategy Directorate Senior Management Team.
The postholder will provide professional leadership for all communications and engagement colleagues working across the organisation. Subject to completion of the current consultation exercise on the future structure of the function, the Director will have line management responsibility for the following national teams:
- Corporate Affairs;
- Public Accountability and External affairs;
- Campaigns and Social Media;
- Strategic Communications; and
- NHS Operational Communications.
They will also line manage the Director of Regional and Directorate Engagement who will, in turn, line manage the embedded regional and directorate teams.
The postholder will need to be frequently present in NHS England's headquarters in London (Waterloo).
See also the attached job description for additional information.
About us
NHS England's Public Accountability, Engagement and Communications function sits within the Strategy Directorate. It is one of the busiest communications teams in the country, operating within a fast moving environment and managing a wide range of high profile issues affecting the NHS each day, with those issues commanding significant public attention and scrutiny.
Activities delivered by the team include:
- answering Freedom of Information (FoI) requests and parliamentary questions;
- managing communications for major incidents such as COVID-19 and industrial action;
- delivering public facing campaigns including recruiting future NHS staff and supporting appropriate access to health services
- marketing NHS products such as the NHS App and other digital services and supporting take up and usage of NHS education and training services;
- planning and co-ordinating events such as ministerial visits
- internal communications and engagement, working with our HR team
- managing strategic relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders including Royal Colleges and health and care sector representative organisations; and
- handling incoming media queries and proactively pitching and communicating stories that deepen public understanding of the NHS and its activities through all media channels.
- The team works on a business partner model, combining national communications teams and embedded regional and Directorate communications teams into a single function.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Director of Public Accountability, Engagement and Communications will lead the overall function. They will be responsible for sophisticated and rapid handling of a wide range of communications issues, providing strategic counsel to NHSEs senior leadership and frequent liaison with senior members of the media and communications leads across Whitehall including the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and No 10.
The role will be accountable to the Chief Strategy Officer and will be a member of the Strategy Directorate Senior Management Team.
The postholder will provide professional leadership for all communications and engagement colleagues working across the organisation. Subject to completion of the current consultation exercise on the future structure of the function, the Director will have line management responsibility for the following national teams:
- Corporate Affairs;
- Public Accountability and External affairs;
- Campaigns and Social Media;
- Strategic Communications; and
- NHS Operational Communications.
They will also line manage the Director of Regional and Directorate Engagement who will, in turn, line manage the embedded regional and directorate teams.
The role(s) will be accountable to the Chief Strategy Officer who has Executive Group responsibility for communications, policy, strategy, health inequalities and greener NHS but will work closely with other NHS England senior leaders including the Chief Executive and Chair.
Please see job description for additional information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Director of Public Accountability, Engagement and Communications will lead the overall function. They will be responsible for sophisticated and rapid handling of a wide range of communications issues, providing strategic counsel to NHSEs senior leadership and frequent liaison with senior members of the media and communications leads across Whitehall including the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and No 10.
The role will be accountable to the Chief Strategy Officer and will be a member of the Strategy Directorate Senior Management Team.
The postholder will provide professional leadership for all communications and engagement colleagues working across the organisation. Subject to completion of the current consultation exercise on the future structure of the function, the Director will have line management responsibility for the following national teams:
- Corporate Affairs;
- Public Accountability and External affairs;
- Campaigns and Social Media;
- Strategic Communications; and
- NHS Operational Communications.
They will also line manage the Director of Regional and Directorate Engagement who will, in turn, line manage the embedded regional and directorate teams.
The role(s) will be accountable to the Chief Strategy Officer who has Executive Group responsibility for communications, policy, strategy, health inequalities and greener NHS but will work closely with other NHS England senior leaders including the Chief Executive and Chair.
Please see job description for additional information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Significant relevant leadership experience in the field of communications and engagement with, ideally, an apppropriate post graduate degree qualification.
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- This role requires the ability to provide senor counsel to the chief executive, chair and other senior NHSE figures on the reputational risks facing the NHS along with excellent interpersonal and influencing skills and evidence of building effective relationships with senior leaders.
- Evidence of the ability to horizon-scan, grip issues and drive delivery in a dynamic, fast-paced and uncertain environment.
- Political acumen and judgement to anticipate how issues will develop and prepare an effective communications response.
- A deep passion for the NHS and huge respect for everyone who works in it. If you are not already part of it, you'll be truly excited about the opportunity to work in the NHS.
- Demonstrable knowledge in identifying, analysing, promoting or responding to issues of strategic importance, including influencing outside organisations where required.
- Recognition, internally and externally, as an expert in the field of communications appropriate gravitas, skills and knowledge to lead professional communications and engagement colleagues effectively. and engagement with the
- Ability to provide advice, support and counsel to very senior colleagues including Chairs, Chief Executives, Executive Directors, Executive Teams and Boards.
- Experienced in managing a wide range of issues simultaneously with the ability to prioritise focus and delegate effectively across senior leadership colleagues.
- The ability to exercise judgement and innovative thinking to analyse, rationalise, evaluate and arrive at evidence-based conclusions.
- The ability to be both strategic and operational in delivering their responsibilities on behalf of the organisation.
- Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in understanding how to translate policy and delivery outcomes into communications activity.
- Comfortable and expert in acting with appropriate autonomy and accountability for managing resources, risks, activity and obstacles to achieve agreed corporate outcomes.
Desirable
- Experience of leading multi-disciplinary communications and engagement teams in complex organisations at a national level utilising successful people management, peer collaboration and functional senior leadership and management skills.
- Significant expertise across the broad range of communications and engagement disciplines.
- Ability to identify which channels, methods and approaches are the most appropriate communications and engagement mix of professional disciplines to manage given situations effectively. As a result, they will be expert in providing operational direction and advice to their team(s).
- Experience and demonstrable knowledge in planning, preparing and executing communications and engagement activity to support delivery of corporaobjectives, with the skills and management ability to lead and inspire significant resources in meeting these objectives.te
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- The ability to build, develop and lead highly effective teams that inform and deliver NHSE's organisational priorities while protecting and enhancing the reputation of the organisation and the wider health service.
- Drive cultural change, develop solutions in a collegiate manner and focus on delivering to time, quality and cost.
- Strong influencing, negotiating and stakeholder engagement skills. The ability to manage difficult conversations and conflicts.
- In line with other communications and engagement professional, the postholder will be expected to: oUse insight to inform communications activity oContinuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans. oEmbrace, and encourage others to embrace, new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders. oLead and work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSE's policies, priorities and processes. oLead and work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability. oDemonstrate behaviours that support, value and respect each other's work, perspectives and needs. oLead and work flexibly and at pace across priorities. oProvide ad hoc out of hours communications support. oHave high quality writing and presenting skills. oUphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement
Other
Essential
- The postholder must be able to lead their team and work with colleagues and peers at all levels by living, demonstrating and promoting the values of NHS England, the NHS Constitution and the broader expectations placed upon senior public sector leaders.
- We aim to create a healthy and high performing organisation, underpinned by the NHS Constitution values: oWorking together for patients oRespect and dignity oCommitment to quality of care oCompassion oImproving lives oEveryone counts.
- Our people all have a part to play in helping to shape and develop our culture and in embedding and living these values. Leading by example we: oprioritise patients in every decision. olisten and learn. oare evidence-based. oare open and transparent. oare inclusive. ostrive for improvement
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Significant relevant leadership experience in the field of communications and engagement with, ideally, an apppropriate post graduate degree qualification.
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- This role requires the ability to provide senor counsel to the chief executive, chair and other senior NHSE figures on the reputational risks facing the NHS along with excellent interpersonal and influencing skills and evidence of building effective relationships with senior leaders.
- Evidence of the ability to horizon-scan, grip issues and drive delivery in a dynamic, fast-paced and uncertain environment.
- Political acumen and judgement to anticipate how issues will develop and prepare an effective communications response.
- A deep passion for the NHS and huge respect for everyone who works in it. If you are not already part of it, you'll be truly excited about the opportunity to work in the NHS.
- Demonstrable knowledge in identifying, analysing, promoting or responding to issues of strategic importance, including influencing outside organisations where required.
- Recognition, internally and externally, as an expert in the field of communications appropriate gravitas, skills and knowledge to lead professional communications and engagement colleagues effectively. and engagement with the
- Ability to provide advice, support and counsel to very senior colleagues including Chairs, Chief Executives, Executive Directors, Executive Teams and Boards.
- Experienced in managing a wide range of issues simultaneously with the ability to prioritise focus and delegate effectively across senior leadership colleagues.
- The ability to exercise judgement and innovative thinking to analyse, rationalise, evaluate and arrive at evidence-based conclusions.
- The ability to be both strategic and operational in delivering their responsibilities on behalf of the organisation.
- Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in understanding how to translate policy and delivery outcomes into communications activity.
- Comfortable and expert in acting with appropriate autonomy and accountability for managing resources, risks, activity and obstacles to achieve agreed corporate outcomes.
Desirable
- Experience of leading multi-disciplinary communications and engagement teams in complex organisations at a national level utilising successful people management, peer collaboration and functional senior leadership and management skills.
- Significant expertise across the broad range of communications and engagement disciplines.
- Ability to identify which channels, methods and approaches are the most appropriate communications and engagement mix of professional disciplines to manage given situations effectively. As a result, they will be expert in providing operational direction and advice to their team(s).
- Experience and demonstrable knowledge in planning, preparing and executing communications and engagement activity to support delivery of corporaobjectives, with the skills and management ability to lead and inspire significant resources in meeting these objectives.te
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- The ability to build, develop and lead highly effective teams that inform and deliver NHSE's organisational priorities while protecting and enhancing the reputation of the organisation and the wider health service.
- Drive cultural change, develop solutions in a collegiate manner and focus on delivering to time, quality and cost.
- Strong influencing, negotiating and stakeholder engagement skills. The ability to manage difficult conversations and conflicts.
- In line with other communications and engagement professional, the postholder will be expected to: oUse insight to inform communications activity oContinuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans. oEmbrace, and encourage others to embrace, new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders. oLead and work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSE's policies, priorities and processes. oLead and work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability. oDemonstrate behaviours that support, value and respect each other's work, perspectives and needs. oLead and work flexibly and at pace across priorities. oProvide ad hoc out of hours communications support. oHave high quality writing and presenting skills. oUphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement
Other
Essential
- The postholder must be able to lead their team and work with colleagues and peers at all levels by living, demonstrating and promoting the values of NHS England, the NHS Constitution and the broader expectations placed upon senior public sector leaders.
- We aim to create a healthy and high performing organisation, underpinned by the NHS Constitution values: oWorking together for patients oRespect and dignity oCommitment to quality of care oCompassion oImproving lives oEveryone counts.
- Our people all have a part to play in helping to shape and develop our culture and in embedding and living these values. Leading by example we: oprioritise patients in every decision. olisten and learn. oare evidence-based. oare open and transparent. oare inclusive. ostrive for improvement
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).
