Job summary
- Main area
- Communications
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8B
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term/Secondment)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 432-HR2281-24
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Colchester/Ipswich Hospital
- Town
- Colchester/Ipswich
- Salary
- £62,215 - £72,293 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/03/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Communications
NHS AfC: Band 8B
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.Ìý The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Ìý
Job overview
We are seeking to appoint an Head of Communications who Ìýwill lead the development and execution of dynamic, creative campaigns and strategic communications plans that support the delivery of ESNEFT’s objectives.
This role focuses on mid to long-term planning to enhance the Trust's reputation, engage stakeholders effectively, and ensure clear, consistent messaging both internally and externally.
You will oversee proactive and reactive media relations, ensuring positive media coverage and effective crisis communication.ÌýManage the communications team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
This role is Fixed Term/Secondment until 31st March 2026.
Main duties of the job
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing expert advice on communication best practices.
- Ensure effective engagement with each clinical division and corporate services.
- Ensure effective internal communications to engage and inform staff across the Trust.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications activities, using insights to refine strategies.
- Manage the Trust’s digital content over social media channels.
- Develop key messages and briefings for senior leaders and Board members.
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.Ìý
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.Ìý
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.Ìý
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.Ìý
Our philosophy is thatÌýÌýto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.ÌýÌýÌý
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.Ìý
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.ÌýÌýÌý
Find out about living and working here -ÌýÌý
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.Ìý
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role
- Experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams
- Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance/services
- Leading complex projects
- Responsible for a significant budget and budget setting
- Identifying and interpreting national policy and implementing required changes
- Business case development
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to masters level or equivalent experience
- Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Further relevant training
Desirable criteria
- Project Management Qualification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Financial procedures including budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
- Business planning /annual planning/long term planning
- In depth understanding of change management
- Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office
- In depth understanding of the current NHS agenda and healthcare policy including transformation and workforce
- Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations
- Demonstrable knowledge of service improvements and project management
- Risk management and governance
Desirable criteria
- NHS IT systems
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Anna Turner
- Job title
- Associate Director of Engagement
- Email address
- [email protected]
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