University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
Head of Communications
The closing date is 04 May 2026
The Head of Communications is responsible for leading the busy, fast‑paced communications and engagement team at University Hospitals of North Midlands.
Providing strategic professional advice and expertise on all aspects of communication, staff and stakeholder engagement for the Trust, the role requires the candidate to demonstrate leadership to both the department and within the wider organisation and health system.
The Head of Communications should have a helicopter view of the political landscape and the health and care system and utilise this knowledge to advise and influence senior leaders across the hospital as well as the local health economy.
The role requires the post holder to ensure the delivery of the trust's communications and engagement strategy and to manage and develop our talented communications team; prioritising and assigning projects/tasks, ensuring delivery of objectives, and nurturing a great team dynamic. They'll also have plenty of opportunities to develop their own skills and be proactive in shaping their career.
Main duties of the job
Establish and communicate the key messages and objectives of the Trust in order to promote a positive image and, when necessary, limit adverse publicity using a range of media including website, stakeholder newsletters, social media and special events.
Develop procedures, standards and policies around media management, events, VIP visits, corporate identity, patient communications and other areas of communications and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately.
Ensure that publicity/marketing materials and patient information are of a high standard and accessible to and appropriate for relevant audiences and reflect the diversity of the communities served by the Trust.
Lead on communications for responding to a crisis or handling major/ serious incidents.
Provide strategic advice and expertise to help build an engaged, informed and motivated workforce, developing opportunities for staff to give feedback and contribute to decision making.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the media, maximise positive coverage and ensure balance in all media coverage, in order to promote public confidence in the Trust.
Manage and oversee consultation responses, statements, Freedom of Information requests from the media and ministerial briefings.
Lead an effective, professional communication team, ensuring all Trust HR policies are adhered to.
About us
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke‑on‑Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.
UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co‑created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.
Job responsibilities
The role reports to the Deputy Director of Communications.
Head of Communications leads the Trusts Communications Department, providing professional expertise, advice and leadership on all aspects of communication, staff and stakeholder engagement and maximising the opportunities to promote the work of the Trust.
Establish and communicate the key messages and objectives of the Trust in order to promote a positive image and, when necessary, limit adverse publicity using a range of media including website, stakeholder newsletters, social media and special events.
Develop procedures, standards and policies around media management, events, VIP visits, corporate identity, patient communications and other areas of communications and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately.
Define and deliver a compelling brand for the Trust which clearly supports the mission, vision and values.
Ensure that publicity/marketing materials and patient information are of a high standard and accessible to and appropriate for relevant audiences and reflect the diversity of the communities served by the Trust.
Lead on communications for responding to a crisis or handling major/ serious incidents.
Develop and lead the internal communications strategy and support the Trusts leadership team to deliver its programme of organisational change.
Provide strategic advice and expertise to help build an engaged, informed and motivated workforce, developing opportunities for staff to give feedback and contribute to decision making.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the media, maximise positive coverage and ensure balance in all media coverage, in order to promote public confidence in the Trust.
Manage and oversee consultation responses, statements, Freedom of Information requests from the media, and ministerial briefings.
Oversee the provision of an effective press office function which gives accurate and timely responses to media enquiries and monitor media coverage to identify weak areas and develop and maintain strong areas.
Oversee the production, content and distribution of the core elements of the annual report and other publications as required.
Lead an effective, professional communication team, ensuring all Trust HR policies are adhered to.
Exercise ability to analyse and interpret highly complex facts, situations or communications to provide sound communications and engagement advice to the senior leadership team to ensure a best‑practice approach to communications is adopted across all projects, programmes and engagement forums.
Manage ongoing service contracts and the procurement of news goods/services, and display good fiscal responsibility to ensure that value for money is delivered.
Lead on the negotiation of major contracts against that budget, such as for production of the staff magazine and hosting and support of the Trusts website and email distribution.
Works closely with the Trusts Chief Executive, Chairman and other Directors and Senior Managers, providing advice and expertise on a wide range of communications issues.
Deputise Deputy Director of Communications where necessary; attend and contribute to meetings of the Trust Board and Executive Board and any other senior meetings as required.
Make decisions on the action to take on communications issues in the best interests of the Trust.
With Deputy Director of Communications, responsible for the development and implementation of the Trusts Communications Strategy, including appendices such as the Media Policy.
Co‑operation and collaboration with other departments and directorates, such as Organisational Development and Care Groups on communications initiatives and campaigns.
Leading on agreed training, such as media awareness and performance.
Liaison with key stakeholders such as ICB, local authorities and MPs.
Person Specification
Previous Experience
* Demonstrable experience in senior communications/digital or PR communications in a large organisation
* Experience of working in the NHS or other large complex organisation
* Experience of successfully producing plans and implementing communications programmes
* Experience of events management
* Experience of producing consumer information, including commissioning design and print from external agencies
Knowledge
* Proficient in Microsoft Office and the Internet
* Excellent command of print, design and distribution service processes
* Excellent experience of digital communications tools and channels
Education, formal training & Qualifications
* Educated to degree level or equivalent n experience
* Experience in public relations, digital communications or a qualification in marketing, journalism or public relations (CIM, CAM, IPR or similar)
Skills
* Excellent written and verbal communications skills
* Able to communicate effectively and confidently with all levels of staff, external agencies and the general public
* Excellent project management skills with the ability to complete work without supervision
* Ability to influence and gain commitment from staff
Personal attributes
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team
* Excellent multi‑tasker who works well under pressure in a busy environment
* Excellent attention to detail
* Resilient and professional manner
* Able to manage competing agendas
* Politically astute in dealing with the media and key stakeholders
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
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