Head of Communications & Engagement (External Communications)

Overview

Job summary: As head of external communications for UHN, you will develop and implement UHN''s strategy for communicating and engaging with external audiences, including patients, the public, the media, partners, and stakeholders. You will lead the external communications function and help build trust in the services provided through proactive media, stakeholder, and community engagement. You will mentor and manage the external communications team to ensure people understand what UHN is trying to achieve and feel involved.You will report to the Director of Communications and be a member of the communications senior leadership team. You will be passionate about making a real difference and will build meaningful working relationships with internal and external audiences. You will be part of the out-of-hours on-call rota for the communications team, for which there is an additional payment.Main duties

The postholder will be the external communications lead overseeing day-to-day operational communications activity, drawing on support from other team members as needed.Provide strategic direction and leadership on the development and implementation of a UHN external communications strategy, translating activity into messages and activities relevant to audiences.Support the wider Communications Strategy by developing specific External/Internal communications and engagement strategies to support the hospitals\'' overall strategy and objectives where needed.About us

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applicationsKettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update and modernise. We have entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). Depending on service needs, there may be a requirement to work across Kettering and Northampton hospital sites.Our Excellence ValuesCompassionAccountabilityRespectIntegrityCourageWe aim to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help unleash everyone\''s full potential. UHN encourages applications from people who identify with protected groups and is committed to an inclusive environment. We recognise the Armed Forces community and have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have active Networks to promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds to ensure everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging.Details

Date posted: 18 September 2025Pay scheme: Agenda for changeBand: Band 8bSalary: £64,455 to £74,896 per yearContract: Fixed termDuration: 6 monthsWorking pattern: Full-timeReference number: 264-7479530-CORJob locations: Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZJob responsibilities

The postholder will be the external communications lead overseeing the day-to-day operational communications activity, drawing on support from other team members where needed.Provide strategic direction and leadership on the development and implementation of a UHN external communications strategy, translating strategic activity into messages and activities relevant to our audiences.Develop External/Internal communications and engagement strategies to support the hospitals\'' overall strategy and objectives where needed.Create compelling content that enables the hospitals'' strategy to be widely understood across multiple audiences.Develop a strategic approach to managing relationships with core audiences and partners; undertake stakeholder mapping to set the work programme for communications and engagement.Establish a systematic approach to listening to and engaging with key stakeholders, including methods for capturing intelligence and feedback and being alerted to emerging issues.Lead UHNs response to widespread external interest from the media, including offering support and advice to all staff and senior leaders on our response.Develop and oversee the UHN media relations strategy, working with the Media Manager to establish priorities and strong relationships with journalists.Put in place an effective media training approach to ensure staff have support when working with the media.Plan for, advise, and support the use of external communications channels in crisis situations as part of crisis communications handling (e.g., issues impacting service provision, major incidents, or unexpected closures).Collaborate with the web development team/external provider to develop the website to meet audience needs.Review current external communications approaches and identify opportunities to improve services and reach communities, especially where engagement is low.Develop strong relationships with staff at all levels; convey complex information to diverse audiences with influence.Use insights, data, and feedback to plan external communications activity and measure effectiveness, contributing to forward planning and quarterly reports.Drive innovative approaches to external communications, testing new techniques and gaining support for their evaluation.Build relationships with communications teams across the Northamptonshire system and Midlands region to share best practice and explore partnership opportunities.Lead annual external communications and stakeholder audits and deliver action plans for improvements.Develop external communications channels (including social media) to target and connect with multiple communities and audiences; monitor and evaluate channel effectiveness and adapt as needed.Lead the creation of UHN branding and content standards for external channels, with clear editorial guidelines and style guides.Deliver campaigns that support behaviour change, engagement, and awareness; organise and support events such as the Annual Public Meeting and ministerial visits.Ensure the external communications team has clear objectives and delivers required activities.Develop timely, engaging content (copy, photography, film) to tell UHN\''s story in a way that excites, inspires, and reassures as appropriate.Line management of the external communications team, including design, with support for professional development and training.Develop, implement, and monitor performance of the external communications team\''s planning processes; take responsibility for own work and work independently; support a wide range of projects.Prioritise, plan, and allocate resources (budget and staffing) for key external communications strategies; develop plans for major projects including required resources and business cases as needed.Identify, record, and manage key risks and issues relating to external communications and engagement; ensure inclusivity and engagement with harder-to-reach groups.Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota for media enquiries, social media, and communications support; travel to hospital sites out of hours may be required.Manage financial and budgetary responsibilities for the team and projects; escalate issues and propose solutions to budgets at risk.Maintain expert knowledge of communications and engagement best practices; work flexibly and undertake other duties as required.Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

EssentialEducated to a master\''s level or equivalent experience at a senior level in a specialist areaEvidence of continuing professional developmentDesirableMembership of a professional bodyEvidence of leadership developmentPostgraduate qualification in communications or working towards this standardKnowledge and Experience

EssentialSpecialist knowledge and experience of external communications and leading communications at a senior levelExperience working with the media and external stakeholdersExperience dealing with senior executives; providing counsel and training where appropriateExperience in complex channel management, including social media and reporting of metricsEvidence of successful communication strategy development and implementationExperience measuring and evaluating communications and designing channels for targeted audiencesPractical experience using various approaches to communications across all mediumsExperience leading external responses to incidents and crisis communicationsExperience challenging information from experts in their fieldExcellent knowledge of evolving communication techniques and how to apply them to transform Trust communicationsDesirableExperience leading external communications strategies within large NHS organisationsUnderstanding of the public sector and health economy contextFamiliarity with relationships between NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, providers, and commissioning bodiesDisclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) and a Disclosure to the DBS will be required.Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks can be found here.Employer details

Employer name: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddress: Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN16 8UZEmployer''s website: ..... full job details .....