Job summary
- Main area
- Communications and Engagement
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 151-KS027
- Employer
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Greenwood Offices
- Town
- Ascot
- Salary
- £59,798 - £67,020 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 12/11/2026
Employer heading
Head of Communications and Engagement - New Hospital Programme
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
Main duties of the job
- Senior communications and engagement leader working within the integrated Communications and Engagement function, with the capability and expectation to work across the wider function as organisational need requires.
- Responsible for scoping and commissioning specialist or surge support within agreed parameters and with Deputy Director and/or Director approval.
- Works closely with the Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement on prioritisation, campaign governance and performance.
- Operates with direct access to the Director of Communications and Engagement as required.
Working for our organisation
Why Join Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust?
At Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
As a Disability Confident Employer and recipient of the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding careers within the NHS.
We also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. By supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible, we enable our colleagues to balance their professional and personal commitments while continuing to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Whether flexibility means adjusted hours, part-time working, hybrid arrangements or alternative working patterns, we work in partnership with our staff to meet both individual and service needs.
Join Us
Whether you're at the start of your career or looking for your next challenge, Frimley Health offers the opportunity to be part of a inclusive, forward-thinking organisation that is committed to excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and make a real difference to the lives of the communities we serve.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached the job description and person specification for detailed information on the main responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Post-graduate qualification or professional diploma in communications, public relations, engagement or a related discipline.
- Active and evidenced commitment to continuous professional development in communications, engagement, leadership or a related field.
Desirable criteria
- Professional body membership and/or accreditation (e.g. CIPR, PRCA or equivalent).
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant senior experience delivering communications and engagement in a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation.
- Demonstrable experience leading and owning complex, multi-channel communications and engagement campaigns or programmes, with accountability for outcomes.
- Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders and navigating politically sensitive
- Demonstrated experience contributing to crisis or issues management communications, including drafting holding positions and managing fast-moving situations.
- Experience managing and developing others, with evidence of building team capability and professional standards.
- Experience using data and audience insight to inform planning and evaluate impact.
Desirable criteria
- NHS, public sector or similarly regulated communications environment experience.
- Experience commissioning and managing external communications or creative support.
- Experience delivering communications to support organisational change, staff engagement or culture development.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Strong practitioner skills across the core communications disciplines: writing, media relations, stakeholder engagement and campaign planning.
- Ability to plan and manage multiple concurrent workstreams with discipline and clear prioritisation.
- Confident user of data and insight to set objectives, track performance and make evidence-based decisions.
- Sound understanding of digital communications channels, content formats and audience behaviour.
- Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively for a range of audiences and formats, including executive communications, media statements and staff-facing content.
- Skilled at building effective working relationships with senior stakeholders, including the ability to challenge and advise with confidence.
- Strong understanding of reputational risk and the ability to identify and escalate issues proactively.
- Experience with social media management, digital content production or channel analytics.
- Competence in scoping, commissioning and managing external communications and creative partners, with sound financial management skills sufficient to manage delegated budgets effectively.
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of behaviour change methodologies and their application in communications planning.
- Familiarity with NHS communications frameworks, regulatory environment or public sector accountability structures.
Special Requirements
Essential criteria
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly across Trust sites, including Frimley Park, Wexham Park and Heatherwood.
- Availability to respond outside of standard working hours during communications crises, significant incidents or major programme milestones.
- Willingness to be contactable and deployable at short notice when organisational circumstances require.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kirk Ward
- Job title
- Director of Communications and Engagement
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07553734033
- Additional information
Emma Harbar
Personal Assistant to Corporate Affairs Team &
Kirk Ward, Director of Communications & Engagement
Mobile: 07553734033 or email [email protected]
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