East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Communications

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to appoint an Head of Communications who will lead the development and execution of dynamic, creative campaigns and strategic communications plans that support the delivery of ESNEFT's objectives.

This role focuses on mid to long-term planning to enhance the Trust's reputation, engage stakeholders effectively, and ensure clear, consistent messaging both internally and externally.

You will oversee proactive and reactive media relations, ensuring positive media coverage and effective crisis communication.Manage the communications team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This role is Fixed Term/Secondment until 31st March 2026.

Main duties of the job

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing expert advice on communication best practices.
Ensure effective engagement with each clinical division and corporate services.
Ensure effective internal communications to engage and inform staff across the Trust.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications activities, using insights to refine strategies.
Manage the Trust's digital content over social media channels.
Develop key messages and briefings for senior leaders and Board members.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here -www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Date posted

03 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR2281-24

Job locations

Colchester/Ipswich Hospital

Colchester/Ipswich

CO4 5JL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role
Experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams
Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance/services
Leading complex projects
Responsible for a significant budget and budget setting
Identifying and interpreting national policy and implementing required changes
Business case development

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to masters level or equivalent experience
Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience
Evidence of continued professional development
Further relevant training

Desirable

Project Management Qualification

Knowledge

Essential

Financial procedures including budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Business planning /annual planning/long term planning
In depth understanding of change management
Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office
In depth understanding of the current NHS agenda and healthcare policy including transformation and workforce
Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations
Demonstrable knowledge of service improvements and project management
Risk management and governance

Desirable

NHS IT systems

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Proven experience of working in a senior management/leadership role
Experience of managing and motivating a large team or teams
Leading changes in practice in a complex environment to improve performance/services
Leading complex projects
Responsible for a significant budget and budget setting
Identifying and interpreting national policy and implementing required changes
Business case development

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to masters level or equivalent experience
Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience
Evidence of continued professional development
Further relevant training

Desirable

Project Management Qualification

Knowledge

Essential

Financial procedures including budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Business planning /annual planning/long term planning
In depth understanding of change management
Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office
In depth understanding of the current NHS agenda and healthcare policy including transformation and workforce
Understanding of the relationship between providers and commissioning organisations
Demonstrable knowledge of service improvements and project management
Risk management and governance

Desirable

NHS IT systems

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.

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester/Ipswich Hospital

Colchester/Ipswich

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Colchester/Ipswich Hospital

Colchester/Ipswich

CO4 5JL

Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)