Job summary
We're determined to tackle the health inequalities that affect so many of our residents, working with NHS, council, and voluntary sector partners to have a positive long-term impact on the lives of our 1.4 million local residents.
Whether through our primary care services, in a community setting, or at one of our acute and specialist hospitals, we're on a mission to ensure every resident is able to access the high-quality health and care services they need at every stage of their lives.
We have ambitious plans and inspiring stories to tell, with a redesigned communications and engagement team ready to bring our work to life for our staff, residents, and stakeholders.
We need a confident and experienced leader to help us take the next step, bringing the creativity and expertise to lead a step-change in our approach to corporate communications and campaigns.
You'll need to be flexible, energetic, and approachable, with strong experience leading public affairs, media relations, campaigns, and all aspects of corporate communications in a complex organisation. You'll also need the tenacity, enthusiasm and people skills to bring a wide range of partners together around a shared set of ambitions.
Reporting to the Director of Communications and Engagement and as a key member of our senior leadership team, you'll play an important - and we hope rewarding - role in the next chapter for our talented and friendly team.
Main duties of the job
Develop and embed our corporate narrative internally and externally, using a wide range of channels and tactics to engage audiences.
Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of high-impact campaigns to support the ICB's ambitions to improve population health and reduce inequalities.
Strengthen awareness and understanding of our work and encourage advocacy among our stakeholders.
Support the Deputy Head of Communications and Campaigns to develop a public affairs function and to deliver a responsive media relations service.
Lead the communications and engagement team, embedding a collaborative, can do culture and developing skills, knowledge, and experience.
Develop rigorous communications forward planning.
Support the Director of Communications and Engagement to embed a new approach to system working, building strong, productive, and supportive relationships and maximising reach.
Provide communications expertise and trusted advice to the Executive Management Team and Board and act as the ICB's lead crisis communications specialist.
Support the ICB to communicate effectively with stakeholders including local authorities and health scrutiny, politicians, Healthwatch, NHS bodies, community organisations, general practices, and locality groups.
Oversee the development of the ICB and ICS brands, making sure our communications meet the highest standards of accessibility.
Refresh and re-energise our approach to internal communications and employee engagement.
About us
NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) is a statutory body responsible for planning and allocating health and care resources to improve the lives of people in our five boroughs: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington.
As an ICB, we're focused on:
- improving outcomes in population health and healthcare
- tackling inequalities in outcomes, experience, and access
- enhancing productivity and value for money
- helping the NHS support broader social and economic development
It is an exciting time to be joining NCL ICB - we have commenced an organisational change programme to redesign the structure of the organisation and the way that we work to
better meet the needs of our population, our people, our system, and our partners. As part of the organisational change programme, we want to re-launch and re-energise the organisation, embed new ways of working and build the capabilities we need to create a thriving organisational culture.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this leadership role, the postholder will play a key role in protecting and enhancing the ICB and ICS reputation and embedding its narrative with staff and stakeholders.
They will proactively profile and position NCL, its ambitions and its achievements overseeing a refreshed approach to media and public affairs that builds awareness and support for our work to improve population health and reduce inequalities with a wide range of audiences. They will ensure a proactive and reactive media service, delivering timely and accurate responses to incoming media enquiries, while proactively sharing positive news across corporate and system-owned channels and with media channels and publications.
They will strengthen the ICBs approach to public affairs, ensuring a coherent and joined-up approach to engaging stakeholders with key activity or programmes, rapidly convening a position on issues as they arise.
They will lead on all aspects of corporate communications, ensuring our internal and external communications reflect our key messages and bringing our stories to life through creative, audience-focused content. They will oversee delivery of a step change in our digital communications approach, modernising our channels and overseeing the development of high-quality content that reinforces our corporate narrative.
Overseeing the design and delivery of a calendar of focused, systemwide, high-impact campaigns to support our population health ambitions, they will raise awareness and understanding, and drive behavior change where appropriate, to improve outcomes and experiences and reduce the health inequalities that affect so many in our communities.
The postholder will also oversee all aspects of internal communications and employee engagement, using a range of channels and tactics to effectively communicate and engage current and prospective employees, inspiring them to play their part.
They will work hand in hand with senior leaders to reinforce NCLs position as an ambitious, innovative, and high-performing system, bringing staff and residents with us as we work collaboratively and creatively to ensure the best possible services for our residents and patients, now and in the future.The postholder will be expected to lead with confidence, demonstrating flexibility and openness to change.
Please see the attached Job Description for full duties and responsibilities.
Please note that priority will be given to NCL ICB employees who are affected by change.
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Jane Simmonds, Director of Communications and Engagement on j.simmonds5@nhs.net
Closing date: 17 April 2024
Date of Interview: 8 May 2024
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this leadership role, the postholder will play a key role in protecting and enhancing the ICB and ICS reputation and embedding its narrative with staff and stakeholders.
They will proactively profile and position NCL, its ambitions and its achievements overseeing a refreshed approach to media and public affairs that builds awareness and support for our work to improve population health and reduce inequalities with a wide range of audiences. They will ensure a proactive and reactive media service, delivering timely and accurate responses to incoming media enquiries, while proactively sharing positive news across corporate and system-owned channels and with media channels and publications.
They will strengthen the ICBs approach to public affairs, ensuring a coherent and joined-up approach to engaging stakeholders with key activity or programmes, rapidly convening a position on issues as they arise.
They will lead on all aspects of corporate communications, ensuring our internal and external communications reflect our key messages and bringing our stories to life through creative, audience-focused content. They will oversee delivery of a step change in our digital communications approach, modernising our channels and overseeing the development of high-quality content that reinforces our corporate narrative.
Overseeing the design and delivery of a calendar of focused, systemwide, high-impact campaigns to support our population health ambitions, they will raise awareness and understanding, and drive behavior change where appropriate, to improve outcomes and experiences and reduce the health inequalities that affect so many in our communities.
The postholder will also oversee all aspects of internal communications and employee engagement, using a range of channels and tactics to effectively communicate and engage current and prospective employees, inspiring them to play their part.
They will work hand in hand with senior leaders to reinforce NCLs position as an ambitious, innovative, and high-performing system, bringing staff and residents with us as we work collaboratively and creatively to ensure the best possible services for our residents and patients, now and in the future.The postholder will be expected to lead with confidence, demonstrating flexibility and openness to change.
Please see the attached Job Description for full duties and responsibilities.
Please note that priority will be given to NCL ICB employees who are affected by change.
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Jane Simmonds, Director of Communications and Engagement on j.simmonds5@nhs.net
Closing date: 17 April 2024
Date of Interview: 8 May 2024
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of managing high-performing, multi-discipline communications teams, with a track record of managing excellent communications in public service.
- Substantial experience of delivering communications at senior practitioner level, within a public service environment.
- Substantial experience of giving professional advice and gaining the confidence and respect of senior colleagues and stakeholders, with the gravitas to provide challenge.
- Experience of researching, planning, delivering, and evaluating integrated communications campaigns.
- Experience of developing and delivering strategic communications plans, using a wide range of channels and tactics to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
- Experience of leading the communications response to sensitive, high-profile issues.
- Thorough understanding of the role of internal communications and engagement in a complex organisation, with practical experience of communicating and engaging with staff through change.
- Experience of helping a complex organisation to respond to a crisis situation taking into account the need for integrated comms channels and disciplines to work together and send clear and timely messages to different audiences.
- Experience of working successfully with a wide range of organisations (including system partners, NHSE etc...) building strong and positive relationships to help achieve shared objectives, while maximising shared resources and expertise.
- Experience of working within or managing a corporate brand, including ensuring all communications and content is accessible and reflective of our diverse communities.
- Substantial experience of successful leading people and teams, supporting staff to develop and thrive in a supportive, learning environment, while addressing performance where appropriate.
- An excellent understanding of the role of the media, with a demonstrable track record of achieving positive media coverage.
- Thorough understanding of the role and value of public affairs in a complex and evolving landscape.
Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Good knowledge of the healthcare environment and roles and responsibilities within it, with a thorough understanding of current issues and challenges and the wider political and public sector context.
- Excellent organisational, project management, performance management and financial management skills with a methodical approach to ensuring best quality.
- Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level, with the tenacity to grip long-term ambitions while juggling day-to-day, unforeseen or time sensitive tasks.
- Excellent professional judgement, with the emotional intelligence to manage contentious or sensitive issues, ensuring the communications response is measured and thoughtful.
- Ability to navigate challenges and stay on course, with the drive to prioritise actions and make things happen.
- Excellent communications skills, including oral, written and presentation skills.
- Exceptional editorial, copywriting, and story -telling skills, with a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging, people-focused content.
- Excellent inter-personal, persuasion and negotiating skills with the ability to form and maintain productive, professional working relationships and to bring people together around shared plans and priorities, including co-ordinating communications activity with external organisations or partners.
- Ability to actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within all areas of responsibility.
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to relevant to Masters' degree (journalism, public relations, or marketing) or equivalent level of experience.
- Strong evidence of continuing professional development, with sound, up to date knowledge of best practice as it relates to corporate communications.
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of managing high-performing, multi-discipline communications teams, with a track record of managing excellent communications in public service.
- Substantial experience of delivering communications at senior practitioner level, within a public service environment.
- Substantial experience of giving professional advice and gaining the confidence and respect of senior colleagues and stakeholders, with the gravitas to provide challenge.
- Experience of researching, planning, delivering, and evaluating integrated communications campaigns.
- Experience of developing and delivering strategic communications plans, using a wide range of channels and tactics to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
- Experience of leading the communications response to sensitive, high-profile issues.
- Thorough understanding of the role of internal communications and engagement in a complex organisation, with practical experience of communicating and engaging with staff through change.
- Experience of helping a complex organisation to respond to a crisis situation taking into account the need for integrated comms channels and disciplines to work together and send clear and timely messages to different audiences.
- Experience of working successfully with a wide range of organisations (including system partners, NHSE etc...) building strong and positive relationships to help achieve shared objectives, while maximising shared resources and expertise.
- Experience of working within or managing a corporate brand, including ensuring all communications and content is accessible and reflective of our diverse communities.
- Substantial experience of successful leading people and teams, supporting staff to develop and thrive in a supportive, learning environment, while addressing performance where appropriate.
- An excellent understanding of the role of the media, with a demonstrable track record of achieving positive media coverage.
- Thorough understanding of the role and value of public affairs in a complex and evolving landscape.
Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Good knowledge of the healthcare environment and roles and responsibilities within it, with a thorough understanding of current issues and challenges and the wider political and public sector context.
- Excellent organisational, project management, performance management and financial management skills with a methodical approach to ensuring best quality.
- Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level, with the tenacity to grip long-term ambitions while juggling day-to-day, unforeseen or time sensitive tasks.
- Excellent professional judgement, with the emotional intelligence to manage contentious or sensitive issues, ensuring the communications response is measured and thoughtful.
- Ability to navigate challenges and stay on course, with the drive to prioritise actions and make things happen.
- Excellent communications skills, including oral, written and presentation skills.
- Exceptional editorial, copywriting, and story -telling skills, with a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging, people-focused content.
- Excellent inter-personal, persuasion and negotiating skills with the ability to form and maintain productive, professional working relationships and to bring people together around shared plans and priorities, including co-ordinating communications activity with external organisations or partners.
- Ability to actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within all areas of responsibility.
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to relevant to Masters' degree (journalism, public relations, or marketing) or equivalent level of experience.
- Strong evidence of continuing professional development, with sound, up to date knowledge of best practice as it relates to corporate communications.
Desirable
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.
