Healthset Head of Communications & Engagement
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Main area: Healthset Head of Communications & Engagement; Contract: Permanent; Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours per week; Job ref 153-CO06147.
Department: UHD – General Recruitment Site Dorset County Hospital, Dorset Healthcare, Somerset Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Dorset Town Dorset/Somerset; Salary: £57,528 – £64,750 per annum; Closing date: 02/06/2026 23:59.
Job overview
Recruitment is underway for a Head of Communications and Engagement role within Healthset, our joint programme to deliver a single shared electronic health record (EHR) across Dorset and Somerset, powered by Epic. This programme will transform how care is delivered and information is recorded, shared and accessed, enabling colleagues to spend less time working around systems and more time caring. The contract with Epic was signed in March and we expect the new EHR to go live in April 2028. Successful delivery must be clinically and operationally led, supported by the expertise of our digital teams.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Communications and Engagement will play an integral role in the success of the Healthset EHR Programme, developing and implementing a comprehensive Communications and Engagement strategy to support the programme. The role will work closely with Communications Teams and the Healthset Programme Leadership Team, providing expert advice and solutions for all Communications and Engagement activities required to support the delivery of this transformational programme.
Key responsibilities
* Create and manage a communications plan aligned with project milestones and stakeholder needs.
* Develop persuasive, clear communication materials and stories that illustrate program benefits to staff, patients and partners.
* Coordinate cross‑organisation communications to ensure consistent messaging.
* Support the recruitment and retention of staff through engaging communications.
* Measure effectiveness of engagement initiatives and adjust strategy accordingly.
* Represent the programme in leadership meetings and public forums.
Qualifications and experience
* Significant experience of developing and implementing Communications and Engagement strategies for large-scale change.
* Deep knowledge of communications and engagement techniques for transformational change.
* Established credibility as a communications professional.
* Strong writing and content development skills to support multiple organisations.
* Collaborative mindset working across teams and organisations.
* Passion for shaping future care delivery.
Working for our organisation
Healthset is a shared response that will support more joined‑up working, safer decision‑making and better use of information, freeing up more time for care. This ambitious programme will fundamentally change how health and care is delivered across Dorset and Somerset in a way that is clinically and financially sustainable. We are guided by doing the right thing for our patients, carers, people and communities, while creating a working environment that better supports our colleagues.
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