Head of Communications and Engagement

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job purpose

The Head of Communications & Engagement is responsible for the development and implementation of the HTA communication and engagement strategy; internal and external communications including media responses and the management and development of the HTA’s website in line with improved accessibility standards. The role manages the communications team and works with individuals and teams across the HTA, to support effective engagement with the public and professionals, and protect the reputation of the HTA. The Head of Communications & Engagement will offer communications advice to colleagues, including Authority Members and the senior team and develop consistent external messages that are in line with the organisations strategy. The role also has a responsibility for business and budget planning and delivery; and ensuring systems and processes are efficient and effective.

Communication and working relationships

External contacts

Working with the Department of Health; devolved assemblies; public and patient groups; licensed establishments; NHS Blood and Transplant; transplant community; parliamentarians; key opinion leaders; other regulators; communications professionals and service providers.

Internal contacts

Working with the Heads of Function and colleagues , colleagues across the HTA, including SMT and Authority Members.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• To support the Director in providing strategic communications advice to colleagues, for example Authority Members and the senior team. Including advice and support for consultations, HTA policy and key meetings managing stakeholder and other relationships, and communicating outputs.

• To lead on the HTA’s public involvement work, developing relationships and increasing engagement with members of the public to better inform our work

• To lead the ongoing review and development of the HTA’s website and digital channels as an integrated communications tool, ensuring that they are up-to-date, accurate, accessible and reflect the needs of the HTA and its stakeholders.

• To manage the delivery of the HTA’s media operation

• To deliver and support relationship-management programmes and undertake regular stakeholder mapping.

• To provide high quality advice and guidance and briefings to internal and external HTA stakeholders.

• To advise and respond to enquiries from stakeholders, including members of the public and media.

• To manage key corporate events and meetings, including the annual conference and stakeholder group, and support the organisation in delivering public and professional events

• To manage the accurate and timely production of corporate publications. To monitor and evaluate the impact of the HTA’s work on public and professional stakeholder groups and to monitor and evaluate communications work, for instance through a quarterly communications report

• To support the Directorate in delivering public affairs activity, such as parliamentary meetings, MPs/Peers events, responses to changes in legislation.

• To take responsibility for the communications aspects of the Freedom of Information Act (including the publications scheme).

• To engage staff to support delivery of the overall communications strategy by communicating effectively.

• To manage the HTA’s brand and corporate identity, and ensure staff have appropriate training in clear, high quality presentation, including use of the HTA style guidelines, templates and branding.
• To manage and review communications systems and processes.

• To line manage and motivate a small communications team and ensure they are appropriately trained and competent.

• To represent the directorate at relevant management, planning meetings and external events.

• To manage communications projects and ensure progress against key milestones and to mitigate risks.

• To develop, monitor and report on business plans and monitor the communications budget.

Essential Criteria

Track record of managing a communications function and team, including recruiting and performance managing staff and facilitating teamwork.

Must demonstrate initiative and have a proactive approach to work.

Excellent organisational and project management skills with a delivery focus.

Personal credibility, excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, ability to forge alliances and relationships, and resolve conflicts of opinion

Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to read, analyse, synthesise and communicate complex information

Experience of analysing and mapping stakeholders, and managing relationships with public and professional groups, and members of the public more broadly, fairly and with respect, without stereotyping or bias.

Political awareness and experience of Parliamentary relations.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of managing a budget.

Experience in drafting board-level reports and business

cases.

Knowledge of the HT Act, HTA stakeholders and relevant EU legislation.

Media relations experience.

Knowledge or understanding of the health/science environment

Job opportunities are shown on the HTA website but applications must be made through NHS Jobs

The closing date is 28 February 2022.

Brief description of the selection process:

There will be a three-stage interview process, beginning with a virtual first stage interview.

Applications selected for shortlist will be invited for a virtual Culture Interview session with prospective colleagues.

There will be no shortlisting process conducted from second to final stage interview.

The final stage interview will be competency-based interview. Candidates are encouraged to use the ‘STAR’ (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method when responding to competency questions, using relevant examples.

Interviews are expected to start in the week commencing 07 March 2022.

For more information, please contact Human Resources on recruitment@hta.gov.uk.

The HTA is an equal opportunities employer. Please let us know if you require additional access arrangements during the recruitment process.

www.hta.gov.uk

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Track record of managing a communications function and team, including recruiting and performance managing staff and facilitating teamwork.
• Must demonstrate initiative and have a proactive approach to work.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills with a delivery focus.
• Personal credibility, excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, ability to forge alliances and relationships, and resolve conflicts of opinion
• Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to read, analyse, synthesise and communicate complex information
• Experience of analysing and mapping stakeholders, and managing relationships with public and professional groups, and members of the public more broadly, fairly and with respect, without stereotyping or bias.
• Political awareness and experience of Parliamentary relations.

Desirable

• Experience of managing a budget.
• Experience in drafting board-level reports and business
• cases.
• Knowledge of the HT Act, HTA stakeholders and relevant EU legislation.
• Media relations experience.
• Knowledge or understanding of the health/science environment

Employer details

Employer name

Human Tissue Authority

Address

2 Redman Place

Stratford

London

E20 1JQ

Employer's website

https://www.hta.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)