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Job summary

Main area
Communications and engagement
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 9
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Please note we are open to people who might be willing to work less than full-time.)
Job ref
363-CP7329661
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Robert Dolan House
Town
London
Salary
£117,645 - £134,103 per annum Inc HCAs
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/09/2025 23:59
Interview date
23/09/2025

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Director of Communications and Engagement

NHS AfC: Band 9

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

Director of Communications and Engagement

This director-level post offers the opportunity to lead on communications and engagement for East London NHS Foundation Trust - an organisation that provides mental health and community health to a population of 1.8million people in Bedfordshire, Luton and East London.

The post holder will provide strategic communications leadership for East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and lead the communications and engagement team at the Trust.

Please note we are open to people who might be willing to work less than full-time. 

There will be an assessment centre on 16 Sept all day, and interviews on 23 Sept. 

Main duties of the job

Accountable for high quality, insight-led communications and engagement that is measurable, impactful and helps the organisation to succeed. The post holder will own the direction and strategy for ELFT communications and engagement, advising the Chief Executive, Chair, Board and the Trust’s senior leadership. The post holder will play a critical role in managing the reputation of the Trust with internal and external stakeholders. 

1.   

Working for our organisation

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Hold accountability and responsibility for the strategic and operational development of the communications and engagement team and the effective management of the team budget. Services to be delivered include:

a.    Internal communications and engagement

b.    Media management

c.    Publications and design

d.    Digital communications and engagement (including website and social media)

e.    Stakeholder communications and engagement

f.     Brand and reputation management         

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Masters Degree or equivalent or commensurate experience at a senior level
  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Substantial experience of working in a fast-paced environment, delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.
  • Detailed understanding of varied communication channels, their impact, limitations, risks and opportunities, and detailed experience in their use
  • Experience of playing an active and leading corporate role in an organisation, either as a member of a senior management and/or executive team
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results
  • Experience of planning and managing budgets within agreed limits
  • Expert understanding, knowledge and skill in a range of communications disciplines from the following: strategic communications, internal communications, media relations, events, behaviour change, campaigns, marketing, reputation management, change management, stakeholder engagement, project management and public affairs
  • An excellent and proven knowledge of current public affairs, policy and operational issues within the NHS
  • An excellent knowledge of best practice in communications, drawn from personal experience and awareness
  • Expert experience of working simultaneously on multiple communications and engagement activities, with excellent project management, planning and coordination across a range of communications and engagement disciplines and channels
  • Expert experience and knowledge of insight and audience research to develop communications and engagement activities and evaluate outcomes
Desirable criteria
  • Post graduate qualification in a related area
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Experience

Essential criteria
  • In depth expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in communications and engagement in a large complex, highly scrutinised organisation covering policy, products or services.
  • Experience of successfully leading a communications and engagement team at a senior level in a complex organisation, preferably in the NHS, health or in the public sector
  • Experience of managing or supervising communications and engagement staff to ensure their optimum performance and providing support for their development
  • Experience of actively engaging with stakeholders and staff to achieve desired results
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Membership of relevant professional body (CIPR/ CIM/ PRCA)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Amar Shah
Job title
Chief Quality Officer
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07961 043513
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