Job summary
- Main area
- Communication
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 151-SF163
- Employer
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Frimley Park Hospital
- Town
- Camberley
- Salary
- £59,798 - £67,020 per annum incl HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 02/11/2026
Employer heading
Head of Digital Communications and Engagement
Band 8a
Job overview
Lead Communications That Make a Difference
Are you an experienced communications leader looking for an opportunity to shape the reputation, voice and engagement of one of the NHS's largest and most ambitious organisations?
We are seeking an outstanding Head of Communications and Engagement to lead high-impact communications and engagement programmes that help deliver our strategic objectives, strengthen our reputation and connect our staff, patients and communities with the work we do every day.
This is a senior leadership role within our integrated Communications and Engagement function. You will lead a dedicated team, providing expert counsel to senior leaders while delivering impactful campaigns that inform, engage and inspire.
If you're an experienced communications leader with the vision, credibility and passion to drive meaningful engagement and help shape the future of one of the NHS's most exciting organisations, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us tell the Frimley Health story.
Main duties of the job
You will play a pivotal role in:
- Leading complex, multi-channel communications and engagement campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
- Providing trusted strategic communications advice to divisional and programme leaders.
- Supporting the Trust's response to high-profile issues, significant incidents and reputational challenges.
- Driving evidence-based communications through insight, measurement and audience understanding.
- Developing communications professionals and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration.
- Helping shape the future direction of communications and engagement across the organisation
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
For a comprehensive list of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role please refer to the job description/person specification.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Post-graduate qualification or professional diploma in communications, public relations, engagement or a related discipline.
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.
- 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 & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Strong practitioner skills across the core communications disciplines: writing, media relations, stakeholder engagement and campaign planning.
- 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.
- Experience with social media management, digital content production or channel analytics.
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.
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
- 07840942154
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