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Job summary

Main area
Communications
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
100-AC245-0826
Employer
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
Across the healthboard
Town
Across the healthboard
Salary
£50,129 - £57,365 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/09/2026 23:59
Interview date
01/10/2026

Employer heading

Hywel Dda University Health Board logo

Communications Manager

Band 7

Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.

If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]

To keep up to date with our latest recruitment activity follow us on Facebook (Swyddi Hywel Dda Jobs), LinkedIn or on Twitter @SwyddiHDdaJobs

Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.


The salary scale for a Band 3 has been adjusted as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2026/2027 and will be implemented in August 2026 backdated to 01 April 2026 where applicable.

Job overview

Are you passionate about helping to improve the health and well-being of our communities in mid and west Wales?

The Communications Manager will play a key leadership role in supporting the Health Board’s ambition to shift from a service focused on treating illness, to one focused on preventing ill health, or worsening of ill-health.    

You will lead and inspire a communications team delivering proactive and integrated communication campaigns on a variety of health issues. Working with senior leaders, clinicians and partners, you will provide strategic communications advice and ensure clear, timely and effective engagement with staff, stakeholders, the public and the media. 

The role also involves managing complex and high-profile communications situations, where strong communication is critical. This could range from managing and responding to major incidents, supporting service changes programmes, managing reputational issues or helping communities understand and engage with important healthcare developments. 

We want to hear from people who can demonstrate how their communication skills have delivered positive outcomes, influenced behaviour change and supported organisational objectives. You will be a confident leader, skilled communicator and trusted adviser, capable of building strong relationships and working effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious communication professional who wants to make a difference through their work and contribute to improved health and well-being of our communities.

The post holder will support and deputise for the Head of Communications and will be the senior communications professional in the team.

They will take the organisation’s wider strategy for how it approaches communications and engagement and then strategically plan the corporate communication functions response to this in order to deliver excellent internal, external and digital communications.

The post holder will take lead responsibility for operationally managing all corporate communications, ensuring it is legally sound and delivers on our commitments to open communication and supporting the organisation to achieve its business objectives and live its values.

The post holder will identify and maximise opportunities for improving the effectiveness of corporate communications activity on behalf of the organisation.

If this sounds like you, please tell us in your application how you meet the essential criteria. We would love to hear about your relevant experience and ideas. 

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences.  In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 01/10/26

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Educated to Masters Level or equivalent level of work experience including practical knowledge and experience of methods and approaches as they relate to public relations, communications and media
  • Evidence of higher/ further education/continued professional development (such as professional/management qualifications)
  • Highly developed in-depth specialist knowledge and experience of communications, engagement and media. The post holder will therefore require expert knowledge of health and public practices, as well as a thorough understanding of local and national political networks and infrastructure.
  • Knowledge and expertise on the various tools and techniques of communications including new media and e-communications
  • Detailed knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws
  • Possess a political awareness and understanding of the complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations to advise senior manages.
Desirable criteria
  • Working knowledge of media management systems (e.g. Veulio system)
  • Understanding of Welsh legislation and WG delegated powers

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Evidenced ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries in an atmosphere of change/ complex structures and partnership working
  • Experience of project management
  • Ability to work to deliver to strict deadlines
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of journalism and responsive media communications in a large public sector organisation

Language skills

Essential criteria
  • Welsh Language level 2 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 2 may be found at the bottom of this page)
Desirable criteria
  • Welsh Language level 5 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 5 may be found at the bottom of this page)

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to travel across the Health Board area in a timely manner.
  • Flexible approach to work and needs of the service and a willingness to work outside of normal working hours when required (evening and weekends).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyCymraegDisability confident employerStep into healthCarer Confident (With Welsh translation)Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCore principlesStonewall 2023 Bronze

Applicant requirements

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mererid Lloyd Jenkins
Job title
Head of Communications
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07483 124239
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