Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead
Job overview
We are on a mission to be the best NHS employer, where our people feel valued, engaged, and inspired. We’re looking for a Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead to help us tell our story, strengthen public confidence, and make an impact that resonates across our communities.
As our Strategic Communications and Engagement Lead, you’ll have a seat at the table with senior leaders, guiding the Trust’s strategy on communications, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement. From shaping how we respond to emergencies to ensuring our key messages connect with diverse audiences, your leadership will play a pivotal role in building trust, transparency, and collaboration.
Your challenges and opportunities:
- Develop and execute an overarching communications and engagement strategy that aligns with our values and ambitions.
- Lead the Trust’s response during emergencies, delivering clear and reassuring messaging to stakeholders and the public.
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, from local communities and NHS partners to regulators and MPs.
- Provide strategic advice to the executive team and board on high-profile communications and media handling.
- Drive innovative engagement initiatives that reduce health inequalities and meet local needs.
Main duties of the job
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information before applying for this role.
Working for our organisation
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
- We value people
- We are one team
- We care
We’re keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information before applying for this role.
Closing Date: 09.02.25 (this may change dependent on response)Shortlisting to take place after closing date: commencing W/c 10.02.25
Interview expected to take place week commencing 24.02.25 with a view to conduct the interview on the 26.02.25
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria- Demonstrable experience of working as the most senior communications professional in an organisation or division
Skills
Essential criteria- Excellent written and verbal communication skills across a range of formats, evidinecing ability to write complex reports, briefing papers, business cases and strategy for Trust Board, and external agencies to exceptionally high standards.
- Ability to effectively manage a budget.
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Training to relevant degree level or equivalent plus training and/or experience in communications field to master's level or equivalent.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
- Communications or Marketing qualification or equivalent experience
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, public relations or marketing Application
Experience
Essential criteria- Proven track record of developing and delivering strategic communications, reputation management, and crisis communication plans.
- Strong media relations experience, including acting as a spokesperson.
- Experience in managing stakeholder engagement at senior levels.
- Experience of developing and implementing complex policies and strategies across large, highly complex organisations.
- Experience of leading an organisation’s response to large and sustained national media interest
- Experience of developing and implementing marketing strategies and publishing experience.
- Experience of working in the health sector at a senior management level
Skills
Essential criteria- Strong leadership and people management abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and respond to other complex, sensitive and often distressing or highly contentious issues with tact and professionalism.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and anticipate risks.
- Ability to build effective relationships and influence at all levels.
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Understanding of what the NHS Constitution means to you, and your responsibilities to the public, patients and colleagues.
- In-depth understanding of strategic communications principles and best practices, particularly in the context of large, complex organizations, ideally within the NHS or public sector.
- Expert knowledge of reputation management, including techniques for managing and enhancing an organisation’s public image and responding to reputational risks
- Comprehensive understanding of crisis communications, including how to develop crisis management plans, lead communication responses in high-pressure situations, and manage media scrutiny during crises.
- Strong grasp of stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of how to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the media, regulatory bodies, political partners and the public.