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Job summary

Main area
Communications
Grade
Band 8b
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
100-AC270-0925W
Employer
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, or Pembrokeshire
Town
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire
Salary
£65,424 - £76,021 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/09/2025 23:59
Interview date
13/10/2025

Employer heading

Hywel Dda University Health Board logo

Head of Communications

Band 8b

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.


 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the communications team for an experienced professional to lead the communications function within Hywel Dda University Health Board. The post holder will lead and manage the Health Board's communications service, providing support to external customers such as the media and partners, and staff internally. They will provide leadership and decision making to balance the need for proactive service development and the reactive demand of operational responsibilities. 

This is a full time role and is flexible in terms of location (mainly working from home). The post holder is expected travel across the Health Board counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

Base will be discussed and agreed with successful candidate.

Main duties of the job

  • Lead and manage the Health Board's communications service, providing support to external customers such as the media and partners, and staff internally.
  • Provide leadership and decision making to balance the need for proactive service development and the reactive demand of operational responsibilities. 
  • Provide authoritative advice to Board Members, Executive Team and WG on a highly complex, sensitive information and a broad range of communication and engagement issues.
  • Design and deliver long-term strategic communication plans, approaches and policies to support the competing complexities and priorities within the UHBs health and care strategy and plans. 
  • Organise the communication service so it is able to provide full and comprehensive client management for UHB portfolio areas, including a forward look plan, and prioritizing work according to business objectives and the current narrative. 
  • Advise and deliver communication mechanisms for continuous dialogue with staff and the local population to ensure that the UHB takes full account of internal and external views in its decision-making, providing leadership in the fields of written, digital and media communication. 
  • Take swift and decisive decisions in relation to leading and responding to highly sensitive and potentially damaging reputational issues as they arise (such as media requests on major issues).

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); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is essential for this post.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to fully supporting its staff to embrace bilingualism and thereby improve the experience of patients and service users. As part of our commitment to increasing the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh to Level 1 is essential 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 achieve these minimum desirable requirements during your employment with us.

If you would like any further information, please contact Alwena Hughes Moakes, Director of Communications and Engagement.

Interviews will be held on 13/10/2025.

Person specification

Quali

Essential criteria
  • Educated to Master’s 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 or further education with the appropriate professional/management qualifications. i.e. CIPR, NEC’s CAM, ILM and Media Law 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/or 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
  • Demonstrable CPD
Desirable criteria
  • Certified member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations
  • Working knowledge of media management systems
  • Detailed knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws
  • 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 Speaker (Level 1)
Desirable criteria
  • Welsh Speaker (Level 5)

Other

Essential criteria
  • Flexible approach to work and needs of the service
  • Proactive with an ability to show initiative and generate ideas
  • The role will necessitate regular travel across the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and sometimes beyond in a timely manner
  • Willingness to work outside of normal working hours when required (evening and weekends).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyCymraegMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into healthCarer Confident (With Welsh translation)Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCore principlesStonewall 2023 Bronze

Applicant requirements

Welsh language skills are essential

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Alwena Hughes Moakes
Job title
Communications and Engagement Director
Email address
[email protected]
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