Director of Communications and External Affairs
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the most recognised hospital trusts in the country. We are home to Addenbrooke's and The Rosie hospitals, and in the coming years will also become home to the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Cambridge Children’s Hospital. We care for patients from across the region and UK and sit at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of Europe’s most significant concentrations of clinical and scientific expertise.
A new CUH Strategy 2026‑2031 sets out the next phase for the Trust, building on our strengths and tackling the areas that are holding us back. Shaped around our vision – a healthier life for everyone through care, learning and research – it describes how we will deliver excellent and timely care, transform how and where care is delivered, and harness research and innovation to improve patient outcomes, bringing care closer to home and reducing unnecessary hospital visits.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the Management Executive, you will be the expert counsel to the Board and executive team on communications, reputation and external affairs. You will be accountable for setting and delivering a communications strategy aligned to the Trust’s objectives and values, reflecting our role as a specialist provider and our position within the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
You will set the direction and lead the Communications function, ensuring it provides high‑quality, professional and trusted strategic and operational support that enables the organisation to deliver its objectives, day to day and through periods of significant scrutiny.
You will bring strong judgement to how the Trust engages with local and national stakeholders, including parliamentary audiences, alongside the strategic use of media and communications channels to support organisational objectives.
Working as a member of the Management Executive, you will operate at the heart of organisational decision‑making, offering calm, authoritative advice in both planned programmes and high‑pressure situations. You will inherit a well‑established communications function and will be expected to build on strong foundations, developing capability, confidence and resilience for the future.
About the Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 beds, the Trust focuses on quality service that is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, CUH’s values – Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent – underpin all staff work and behaviour. CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from all individuals irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.
Benefits to you
We offer development opportunities and a range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse, day nurseries, subsidised parking, and reduced‑cost public transport to and from the Trust sites. Hot food is available 24/7 on campus and we operate flexible working arrangements such as part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in communications and engagement.
* Evidence of relevant continued professional and leadership development.
* Public relations or related degree.
* CIPR, CAM, CIM or NCTJ qualification or accreditation.
Experience
* Extensive experience as a senior communications and engagement professional in a complex private sector organisation, covering all aspects of communications activities and senior strategic stakeholder engagement.
* Experience at director level in the NHS and/or other public sector organisations.
* Experience leading, managing and developing high‑performing teams within a communications and engagement environment.
* Experience advising senior leaders at board level.
* Experience delivering effective communications strategies and campaigns in partnership with external stakeholders.
* Experience designing and leading communications for significant organisational and service changes or reconfigurations.
* Experience dealing with sensitive issues in a culturally and politically complex environment.
* Experience in brand development and reputation management in a complex organisation.
* Proven track record of internal and external engagement campaigns, engaging diverse audiences.
* Success in delivering behaviour‑change campaigns and providing strategic advice to senior leaders on staff engagement.
* Experience in effective media handling and management.
* Experience in budget setting, financial management and control.
Knowledge
* Excellent understanding of NHS structures and key national, regional and local issues.
* Understanding of legal duties and best practice for public bodies regarding consultation and engagement.
* Knowledge of current research and best practice in patient and public engagement and involvement.
* Knowledge of best practice to optimise a full range of communications and engagement channels, including face‑to‑face, printed and digital.
* Knowledge of research methodologies to track and manage organisational reputation and evaluate communication effectiveness.
* Knowledge of media interview preparation and staff coaching.
* Good understanding of the local health economy and key issues affecting local health‐care delivery.
Skills
* Exceptional leadership skills.
* Ability to instil confidence in senior leaders.
* Teamwork and contribution to team development.
* Inspiring and enthusing others in continuous improvement.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Calm and decisive under pressure.
* Effective communication with staff at all levels and externally, including on sensitive issues.
* Strong relation‑building and influencing skills, even with contentious audiences.
* Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
* Advanced problem solving.
* Capacity to inspire innovative thinking and challenge established practices.
* Managing uncertainty and conflicting priorities.
* Horizon‑scanning to identify and mitigate reputational risks.
Additional Information
* Ability to behave in accordance with the Trust values of Together – Safe – Kind – Excellent towards patients, visitors and colleagues.
* Participation in the Communications on‑call rota.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Salary
£100,000 to £200,000 a year (pro rata)
Contract
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full‑time
Reference Number
180‑F‑265024
Job Locations
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