Head of Communications

Job summary

There's never been a more important time to work in the NHS. From its resilience during the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, to its post-pandemic challenges on waiting times, workforce and services pressure, the NHS has a vital story to tell.

As Head of Communications, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management, leadership and delivery of the ICB's communications function, working with a team of professionals to constantly improve and deliver a high-quality service. Like the NHS, the team is in transition, seeking to maximise the many available opportunities to promote the work of the ICB and wider NHS, as we spend £3billion of NHS funds available to manage the health of people in Derby and Derbyshire and deliver on our five-year vision.

You will collaborate with our engagement team, seeking to listen to what matters to local people and learning from insight to take innovative approaches which encourage health-improving behaviours.

NHS experience is not essential. What matters is that you bring toned and transferable communications skill, a strong portfolio of results, a desire to learn, a commitment to quality & continual improvement and a style of leadership that is supportive, engaging and visible. Alongside that, you will have a burning desire to tell the story of innovation and improvement in the one of the great British institutions, ensuring the people of Derby and Derbyshire can both understand and have a voice in a local, accountable NHS.

Main duties of the job

NHS communications is fast-paced and varied, so if you're the right candidate you will need to be skilled, well-organised, confident and able to remain calm under pressure.

You can identify priorities, make decisions, are flexible to change and driven by results. You can understand challenging concepts, policy and regulation, and inspire a team to translate complex issues into compelling stories that influence attitudes and behaviour.

You are a highly credible communications professional, confident when deputising as lead communicator, able to influence staff at every level, drive openness and transparency through excellent communications and able to support the career progression of your team.

You will lead a team of six communicators, working with the Director on matters of strategy. You will play a key part in an emergency response situation, take part in an on-call rota and deputise for the Director on communications issues.

In return, you can expect to work in a friendly, social and supportive team environment, coupled with a generous salary and benefits package which included a comprehensive pension, initially 25 days annual leave, rising depending on service, and on-call allowance. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity.

We operate a hybrid working model with a guide of seeking to work two days per week on site in Chesterfield or Derby or within one of our partner organisations, with many colleagues now back working onsite every day where that is their preference.

About us

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the organisation responsible for:

• planning to meet local health needs
• managing the NHS budget and allocating resources
• ensuring services are in place to deliver against ambitions
• overseeing delivery of improved outcomes for their population.

NHS Derby and Derbyshire is part of the Joined Up Care Derbyshire integrated health and care system, working with partners in our local authorities, the voluntary sector and others, and helping the NHS to support broader social and economic development.

The ICB passionate about making diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We have staff engagement forums, a diversity and inclusion network run by and for our people and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community.

We are a disability confident employer and offer a range of family friendly, flexible working arrangements and inclusive employment policies, to support our people in the workplace. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.